IMDG Code requires all shoreside personnel to be trained commensurate with their job roles. Training must include general awareness, function specific and security provisions of dangerous goods.

Below is a short guidance for referring IMDG Code, this guidance does not preclude the requirement of mandatory training.

Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in packaged form is prohibited to be carried on any ship except in accordance with IMDG Code. IMDG Code is revised every two years considering new development in the industry or changes due lessons learnt from incidents, accidents or research.

IMDG Code 39^th amendment published in 2018 became mandatory from 1^st January 2020.

Layout of IMDG Code

Volume 1 (parts 1, 2, 4-7 of the Code) contains sections on:

• Part 1 – General provisions, definitions, training, Security
• Part 2 – Classification
• Part 4 – Packing and tank provisions
• Part 5 – Consignment procedures (Marks, Labels, Placards, Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD), Fumigation)
• Part 6 – Construction and testing of packagings, IBCs, large packagings, portable tanks and road tank vehicles
• Part 7 – Transport operations (Stowage on board ships, Segregation inside container, Segregation on board ships, competent authority approvals)

Volume 2 (Part 3)

• Chapter 3.1 – General Provisions & Segregation Groups
• Chapter 3.2 –  The Dangerous Goods List in numerical order of UN Number
• Chapter 3.3 –  Special Provisions
• Chapter 3.4 – Limited Quantities
• Chapter 3.5 – Excepted Quantities
• Appendix A – List of generic and N.O.S. proper shipping names
• Appendix B Glossary of terms
• Alphabetical Index

Supplement

• EMS Guide
• Medical First Aid Guide
• Reporting Procedures
• Safe Use of Pesticides
• INF Code

How to refer IMDG Code

Look up with synonym or proper shipping name

Dangerous goods can be referred in IMDG Code with proper shipping name, synonym or with UN Number

For looking up with proper shipping name or with synonym refer to alphabetical index in volume 2.

In this index, the word “see”, after the name in the substance, material or article column, means that it is a synonym and for details regarding the transport provisions reference shall be made to the entry in the Dangerous Goods List (chapter 3.2) which is relevant to the UN number listed against the synonym.

Look up with UN Number

If UN Number is known, then refer to chapter 3.2 “dangerous goods list”. Ensure the reference is made to the correct packing group entry when packing group(s) are assigned.

Dangerous Goods List

Dangerous Goods list in chapter 3.2 has 18 columns, column 1 & 18 are UN Number.

Column headings give reference to corresponding chapters or paragraphs where information can be found. Example column 6 special provision refers to chapter 3.3, column 8/9 packing instructions/provisions refers to chapter 4.1.4. It is very important to refer applicable columns and comply with for safety during transport.

Below explanations about different columns

Colum 1 to 5

Column 1 to 5 are the basic description of dangerous goods

1. UN Number
2. Proper Shipping Name
3. Class or division
4. Subsidiary hazard
5. Packing Group

Special provisions – column 6

Special provisions assigned for any entry refers to criteria such as classification, change in package type, additional marks, technical name, prohibited cargoes, additional documents etc. Special provisions are published in chapter 3.3

Limited Quantities & Excepted Quantities – column 7a & 7b

Column 7a lists what is permitted in limited quantities. Limited quantities shipments must be in accordance with chapter 3.4.
Limited quantities must be always packed in combination packing, except for articles such as aerosols.
The applicable quantity limit for the inner packaging or article is specified for each substance in column 7a of the Dangerous Goods List of chapter 3.2. In addition, the quantity “0” has been indicated in this column for each entry not permitted to be transported in accordance with LQ.
Outer packing mass is limited to 30 KG gross mass and 20 KG gross mass for shrink-wrap trays.

Dangerous goods which may be carried as excepted quantities in accordance with the provisions of EQ are shown in column 7b of the Dangerous Goods List. E0 means Not permitted as excepted quantity.

Select or verify Packing & IBCs – columns 8,9,10 & 11

Packing comprises of boxes, bags, cylinders, drums, jerricans, bundles or cylinders, pressure drums, multiple element gas containers (MEGC). Authorized packagings are listed in column 8 with special packing provisions in column 9 with reference to section 4.1.4.
Intermediate Bulk Container (IBCs) and IBC provisions are listed in column 10 & 11 with reference to section 4.1.4

Select or verify Tanks & Bulk Containers – columns 13 & 14

When authorized for transporting in tanks or bulk containers it is listed in column 13 and 14, respectively. When a T code is not provided in this column, it means that the dangerous goods are not authorized for transport in tanks unless specifically approved by the competent authority.

There are 25 types of tanks

• T1 to T22 are for solids and liquids
• T23 for self-reactive substances and organic peroxides
• T50 for Non-refrigerated liquefied gas
• T75 for Refrigerated liquefied gas

There are 3 types of bulk containers

• BK1: sheeted bulk containers
• BK2: closed bulk containers
• BK3: flexible bulk containers

Tanks and tank provisions are listed in chapter 4.2.5. Bulk containers are listed in chapter 4.3

EmS – column 15

This column refers to the relevant emergency schedules for FIRE and SPILLAGE in “The EmS Guide – Revised Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods”.

The first EmS code refers to the relevant Fire Schedule (e.g. Fire Schedule Alfa “F-A” General Fire Schedule).
The second EmS code refers to the relevant Spillage Schedule (e.g. Spillage Schedule Alfa “S-A” Toxic Substances). Underlined EmS codes (special cases) indicate a substance, material or article for which additional advice is given in the emergency response procedures.

Stowage & Segregation – columns 16a & 16b

Column 16a Stowage and handling – this column contains the stowage and handling codes as specified in 7.1.5 and 7.1.6.
Column 16b Segregation – this column contains the segregation group codes as specified in 7.2.5.2 and the segregation codes as specified in 7.2.8. Segregation provisions are listed in chapter 7.2

Properties and Observation – column 17

This column contains properties of and observations on the dangerous goods listed. The provisions in this column are not mandatory.

UN number – column 18

Purchasing IMDG Code

Printed IMDG Code is available through authorized distributors. Click the link below for respective geographical region.

• Africa
• Europe
• Far East and Australasia
• Middle East
• The Americas

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