• A consignor is responsible for determining the classification of dangerous goods because they understand the nature of the dangerous goods.
• Dangerous goods are divided into nine classes according to the type of danger they present.
• In the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations, packing group means a group number assigned to a particular dangerous good, based on the inherent danger of the material.

The consignor is responsible for determining the classification of dangerous goods.

This activity is normally done by a person who understands the nature of the dangerous goods such as:

• A manufacturer;
• A person who formulates, blends, or otherwise prepares mixtures or solutions of goods; or
• In the case of infectious substances, a doctor, scientist, veterinarian, epidemiologist, genetic engineer, microbiologist, pathologist, nurse, coroner, or laboratory technologist or technician.

The dangerous goods are divided into nine classes according to the type of danger they present. Some of the nine classes are further subdivided into divisions.

If the name of a dangerous goods is shown as a shipping name in Schedule 1, that name must be used as the shipping name. The shipping name and the corresponding data in Schedule 1 must be used as the classification of the dangerous goods.

For example, the name ACETONE is shown in Column 2 of Schedule 1. ACETONE is the shipping name. The class, 3, is shown in Column 3, the UN number, UN1090, is shown in Column 1 and the packing group, II, shown in Column 4.

If a substance meets the criteria for more than one class or packing group, the substance is a dangerous goods and its classification is determined in the following manner:

• The classes of the dangerous goods are ranked in order of precedence to determine the primary class and any potential subsidiary class or classes;
• The packing group (if applicable) is the one with the lowest roman numeral;
• The shipping name in Schedule 1 that most accurately describes the dangerous goods and corresponds with other data for that material in the schedule that are most consistent with the primary class, the potential subsidiary class or classes, and the potential packing group selected; and
• The shipping name and the corresponding data are used as the classification of the dangerous goods.

Dangerous goods segregation requirements

In Canada, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations have segregation rules for Class 1, Explosives.

In Part V - Means of Containment, explosives are assigned Compatibility Groups, designated by letters following the division number. Explosives may not be transported together in the same means of transport unless the compatibility group letters for the materials match.

Even though there are no other restrictions, different types of dangerous goods should be separated so that there would not be a mixing of materials if an incident or accident occurred.

Refer to the 49 CFR 177.848 Segregation of hazardous materials for guidance. <<refer to US regs here>>

Dangerous goods packing groups

In the TDG regulations, packing group means a group number assigned to a particular dangerous good, based on the inherent danger of the material:

• Packing Group I indicates great danger;
• Packing Group II indicates medium danger; and
• Packing Group III indicates minor danger.

In Part 2 Classification of the TDG regulations, it states if a substance is included in only one class and one packing group, the substance is dangerous goods and the shipping name in Column 2 of Schedule I that most precisely describes the dangerous goods and that is most consistent with the class and the packing group determined by the criteria and tests must be selected as the shipping name. That shipping name and the corresponding data for that shipping name in Columns 1, 3, and 4 of Schedule 1 must be used as the classification of the dangerous goods.

On the other hand, if a substance meets the criteria for inclusion in more than one class or packing group, the substance is dangerous goods and its classification is determined in the following manner:

• The classes in which the dangerous goods are included are ranked in order of precedence in accordance with Section 2.8 to determine the primary class and the potential subsidiary class or classes;
• The potential packing group is the one with the lowest roman numeral;
• The shipping name in Column 2 of Schedule 1 that most precisely describes the dangerous goods and for which the corresponding data in Columns 1, 3, and 4 are the most consistent with the primary class, the potential subsidiary class or classes and the potential packing group are selected; and
• The shipping name and the corresponding data in Columns 1, 3, and 4 of Schedule 1 are used as the classification of the dangerous goods.

Packing groups are addressed in the requirements regarding the various hazard classes in Part 2 Classification.

Shipping documents

Dangerous goods in transport must be accompanied by physical documentation that provides basic information about them.

The documentation is prepared by the consignor before the carrier takes possession of the dangerous goods and the dangerous goods are in transport. The documentation must be kept in specific locations while the dangerous goods are in transport.

When information required by Part III - Documentation is recorded on paper, that paper becomes the shipping document. A shipping document may be in any form, including a waste manifest or a company-designed form, as long as it contains all the information required by Part III - Documentation.

When information required by Part III - Documentation is recorded electronically, the resulting document is an electronic copy of a shipping document.

A shipping document and an electronic copy of it are both shipping records.

When documentation is required to be kept, it may be in the form of a shipping record, that is, on paper or in electronic form.

The term “master” is used in Part III - Documentation and is not defined in Part I, Coming into Force, Repeal, Interpretation, General Provisions and Special Cases but is defined in the “Canada Shipping Act.”

Refer to Part III of the TDG Regulations for all documentation requirements.