The Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) provides a majority of the information needed to properly prepare a hazardous material for shipment. This information is divided into 10 columns within the HMT. (See 49 CFR 172.101.)

The HMT doesn’t list every hazardous material by name. However, it does contain all the descriptions and proper shipping names that can be used to describe a hazardous material. Only the descriptions/names that are listed in the HMT can be used. The user must select the description/name that best describes the hazardous material.

• HMT Column 1 uses the symbols +, A, D, G, I, and W to identify hazardous materials that have special shipping conditions.

Column 1 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) uses six symbols to identify hazardous materials that have special shipping conditions, such as restrictions for air, domestic, international, or vessel transport.

These symbols are defined as follows:

• HMT Column 2 provides descriptions and proper shipping names of hazardous materials.

Column 2 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) provides descriptions and proper shipping names of hazardous materials. Only the names shown in Roman type (not italics) are proper shipping names. The words in italics are not part of the proper shipping name, but they may be used in addition to the proper shipping name.

When selecting a proper shipping name, the user should watch for an I or D in Column 1 of the table. The hazard class for the same shipping name can be different for domestic and international entries.

Example:

• I, Ammonia anhydrous, 2.3, UN1005
• D, Ammonia anhydrous, 2.2, UN1005

Proper shipping names may be singular or plural. They may be written in either upper-case or lower-case letters. Proper shipping names may be spelled as they appear in the table or in the same manner as in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code or the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions.

Example: Sulfuric acid (HMT) or Sulphuric acid (IMDG).

The word “or” in italics indicates that either description in roman type may be used as the proper shipping name.

Example: Lithium hypochlorite, dry or Lithium hypochlorite mixture.

When one entry references another using the word “see,” and both names are in roman type, either name may be used as the proper shipping name.

Example: Ethyl alcohol, see Ethanol.

When the proper shipping name includes a concentration range as part of the description, the actual concentration may be used in place of the range.

Example: Ethylamine, aqueous solution, with 55 percent ethylamine.

Hazardous wastes must be identified by the most appropriate proper shipping name. If the shipping name does not include the word “waste,” that word must be added before the shipping name.

Example: Waste Acetone.

A mixture or solution not identified specifically by name, consisting of a single predominant hazardous material identified in the table by technical name and one or more hazardous and/or non-hazardous materials, must be described using the following:

• The proper shipping name of the hazardous material, and
• The qualifying word “mixture” or “solution,” as appropriate.

In 172.101(c)(10), some restrictions apply. For example, the hazard class, packing group, or subsidiary hazard of the mixture or solution must be the same as that of the hazardous material identified in the table.

Example: The proper shipping name for a solution of Brucine and a non-regulated material could be Brucine solution.

When a material meets the definition of a hazard class or packing group other than that shown in Columns 3 and 5, respectively, or does not meet the subsidiary hazard(s) shown in Column 6, the material must be described by a more appropriate proper shipping name — one that lists the correct hazard class, packing group, or subsidiary hazard(s) of the material.

However, if the proper shipping name is preceded by a plus (+) in Column 1, the proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group are fixed, even if the material does not meet the definition of the class, packing group, or any other hazard class.

Generic or N.O.S. names (Hazmat)

Certain not otherwise specified (N.O.S.) and generic proper shipping names in Column 2 of the table are required to be supplemented with technical names. The letter “G” in Column 1 identifies instances in which the user is required to enter a technical name or names in parentheses with the basic description.

Example: UN1993, Flammable liquids, n.o.s. (benzene), 3, II.

A technical name is a recognized chemical name or microbiological name currently used in scientific and technical handbooks, journals, and texts, such as Acetone or Sodium Peroxide.

• HMT Column 3 lists the hazard class or division corresponding to the proper shipping name, which can become tricky when more than one hazard class or division applies.

Column 3 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) lists the hazard class or division that corresponds to the proper shipping name. When the material is too hazardous to be transported, the word “Forbidden” will be shown.

This prohibition does not apply if the material is diluted, stabilized, or incorporated in a device and is classified according to the hazard class definitions.

Since the hazard class or division affects how a material is packaged and labeled, it is important that the one listed for the selected proper shipping name matches the material being transported. This becomes an issue when more than one hazard class or division is listed for a given proper shipping name.

Example: Paint-related material is listed as both a Class 8 (corrosive) material and a Class 3 (flammable liquid) material. In the table, the labels, special provisions, authorized packagings, and quantity limitations differ between the two entries.

If the proper shipping name is preceded by a plus (+) in Column 1, the proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group are fixed even if the material does not meet the definition of the class, packing group, or any other hazard class.

• HMT Column 4 provides identification numbers that pertain to domestic and international transportation.

Column 4 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) provides the material’s UN, NA, or ID identification number. Numbers preceded by the letters “UN” are appropriate for both international and domestic transportation. Those preceded by “NA” are for domestic transportation and not for international transportation. Those preceded by “ID” are for use with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for air transport.

The NA9000 series of identification numbers are used with proper shipping names that are not appropriately covered by the international regulations or not appropriately addressed by the international standards for emergency response information purposes.

• HMT Column 5 lists packing groups for the material, which indicate the degree of danger it presents.

Column 5 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) lists packing groups that correspond to the proper shipping name and hazard class of the material. Packing Groups I, II, and III indicate the different degrees of danger presented by the material:

• Packing Group I is a great danger,
• Packing Group II is a medium danger, and
• Packing Group III is a minor danger.

No packing groups are assigned to Class 1, Class 2, Class 7, some Division 6.2 (infectious) materials, and most Class 9 materials.

When more than one packing group is listed for a given proper shipping name, the correct one must be determined using the criteria detailed in Subpart D of 49 CFR 173.

The packing group is modified to read “III” under the following conditions:

• A material is a hazardous waste or a hazardous substance,
• The proper shipping name is preceded in Column 1 by the letter “A” or “W,” and
• The material is being offered for transportation or transported by a mode for which its transportation is not otherwise regulated.

If the proper shipping name is preceded by a plus (+) in Column 1, the proper shipping name, hazard class, and packing group are fixed even if the material does not meet the definition of the class, packing group, or any other hazard class.

• HMT Column 6 identifies the label codes for the hazard warning labels required for the material.

Column 6 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) identifies the label codes that represent the hazard warning label(s) that must be applied to the material’s packaging — unless the material is excepted from the labeling requirements. When more than one label code is listed, the first code shown indicates the material’s primary hazard. Additional label codes indicate subsidiary hazards.

If a material has more than one hazard, all applicable subsidiary labels may not be listed in Column 6. In such cases, users should consult 172.402.

• HMT Column 7 contains material-specific provisions or instructions, including modes of packaging, storage, and transport.

Column 7 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) contains special provisions or instructions specific to the hazardous material. The codes listed in this column are defined in 172.102. Provisions referenced by a number only are multi-modal. These may apply to both bulk and non-bulk packagings. Provisions coded by letters are applicable as follows:

• HMT Column 8 contains 3 sub-columns of packaging information: exceptions, non-bulk packaging, and bulk packaging.

Column 8 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) contains three columns of packaging information:

• Exceptions (8A),
• Non-bulk (8B), and
• Bulk (8C).

The numbers in these columns are references to sections within Part 173 that list the applicable packagings or packaging exceptions. If the word “None” is listed, that type of packaging or exception is not authorized — except as may be provided by special provisions in Column 7.

• HMT Column 9 gives limitations for the maximum quantity of material that can be transported in a single packaging on either passenger-carrying aircraft/rail or cargo aircraft.

Column 9 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) lists quantity limitations for passenger-carrying aircraft or rail cars (9A) and cargo aircraft only (9B). The limits listed are the maximum quantities that can be offered for transport in a single packaging. If the word “Forbidden” is listed, the material may not be offered or transported in the applicable mode.

• HMT Column 10 identifies authorized storage locations on passenger and cargo vessels and gives other stowage and handling requirements for specific hazardous materials.

Column 10 of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) identifies the authorized storage locations on board both passenger and cargo vessels (10A) and specifies other stowage and handling requirements for specific hazardous materials (10B). A full list of codes for Column 10A can be found at 49 CFR 172.101(k), and a full list of codes for Column 10B can be found at 49 CFR 176.84(b).

• The List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities immediately following the HMT table contains substances that are considered hazardous only when the amount in a package equals or exceeds the reportable quantity (RQ).
• Any release of a reportable quantity into the environment must be reported immediately to the National Response Center.

The List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities can be found in Appendix A to 172.101, immediately following the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT). It contains substances that are considered hazardous only when shipped in a quantity, in one package, that equals or exceeds the reportable quantity (RQ) listed in the table. Before transporting a hazardous material, users must always check this list to see if the material (or an ingredient of the material) is also considered a hazardous substance.

Reportable quantity (Hazmat)

Hazardous substances that are transported at or above their reportable quantities must be identified on shipping papers and packagings with the letters “RQ.” Any release of a reportable quantity into the environment must be reported immediately to the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802).

Example: Acenaphthene is considered a hazardous substance if transported in quantities of 100 pounds or more in one package. In contrast, Acetamide, N-9H-fluoren-2-yl- is considered a hazardous substance starting at 1 pound in one package.

• The List of Marine Pollutants in Appendix B lists materials known to kill or retard the growth of marine life.
• Materials classified as severe marine pollutants only need to make up 1 percent by weight for the mixture/solution to be considered a marine pollutant, in contrast to at least 10 percent for other marine pollutants.

The List of Marine Pollutants can be found in Appendix B to 172.101, immediately following the List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities. It lists materials that are known to kill or retard the growth of marine life.

Severe marine pollutant (Hazmat)

Materials identified by the letters “PP” in Column 1 are considered “severe marine pollutants.” That means they must only make up 1 percent (by weight) of a mixture or solution for the mixture or solution to be considered a marine pollutant.

All other listed marine pollutants not marked with “PP” must be present in a concentration that equals or exceeds 10 percent (by weight).

Example: A solution weighing 10 pounds would have to contain one pound or more of allyl bromide to be considered a marine pollutant. On the other hand, a solution weighing 10 pounds would only have to contain 0.1 pound of Aldrin (a severe marine pollutant) to be considered a marine pollutant.

Because these materials pose a substantial risk to the marine environment, specific requirements have been established to ensure that they are properly packaged and identified when offered for transportation by vessel.

Marine pollutants transported by water are subject to all the applicable requirements in any size packaging. Marine pollutants transported by highway, rail, or air are subject to the requirements only when transported in bulk packages.