Labeling requirements

• The regulations have specific requirements for design, use, placement, prohibitions, and exceptions for labels.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) regulation on labeling says that materials that are to be transported offsite must be labeled according to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) requirements at 49 CFR Part 172. Labels are printed on or affixed to packages containing hazardous materials. Labels are color- and symbol-coded to provide easy and immediate warning of the hazardous materials inside the package. The regulations have specific requirements for design, use, placement, prohibitions, and exceptions for labels. The correct labeling of packages of hazardous materials is the responsibility of the generator (shipper) and packages must be properly labeled at the time they are offered for transport.

The following is an example of a typical label that combines EPA’s and DOT’s marking requirements.

Placement

A label on a package of hazardous materials must be clearly visible and not obscured by markings or attachments. Each label must be printed on or affixed to a background of contrasting color, or must have a dotted or solid line outer border.

The label must be printed on or affixed to a surface (other than the bottom) of the package containing the hazardous material. If possible, the label should be located on the same surface of the package and near the proper shipping name marking.