• The Dangerous Goods List, found in Part 3 of the IMDG Code, provides packing, labeling, stowage, segregation, handling, and emergency response information for thousands of materials categorized as dangerous goods.

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code is an international code for transport of dangerous goods by sea, intended to promote the safe carriage of dangerous goods and prevent pollution to the environment.

The code details requirements that apply to individual substances, materials, and articles, and covers packing, container traffic, and stowage, with particular attention paid to the segregation of incompatible substances.

The Dangerous Goods List in Part 3 comprises the core of the code, and provides packing, labeling, stowage, segregation, handling, and emergency response information for thousands of entries.

Scope of the Dangerous Goods List and general provisions

The Dangerous Goods List includes entries for the most commonly transported dangerous goods. Since it is impractical to include a separate entry for every existing chemical substance or article, the List also includes generic or “not otherwise specified” (n.o.s.) names for various mixtures and solutions (for example, FLAMMABLE LIQUID, N.O.S., UN 1993). This way, the List provides an appropriate name or entry for any dangerous good that may be transported.

When a dangerous good is specifically listed by name, it must be transported according to the requirements for that entry in the List. To use a generic or n.o.s. entry to transport substances, materials, or articles that do not appear specifically by name follow these steps:

• Determine its dangerous properties;
• Classify according to the class definitions, tests, and criteria; and
• Use the name that most appropriately describes the dangerous goods.

A generic or n.o.s. name may only be used when:

• The specific name of the dangerous good does not appear in the List, or
• The primary or subsidiary hazards assigned to the entry for the specific name are not appropriate.

The classification must be made by the shipper/consignor, or by the appropriate competent authority in some cases.

Once the class of the dangerous good is established, all conditions for transport must be met. Any dangerous good with explosive characteristics must first be considered for inclusion in Class 1.