Classification (Canada)

Scope

Dangerous goods must be properly classified by the shipper or offeror before the shipment is offered for transportation.

Regulatory citations

• Transport Canada TDGR Part 2 — Classification

Key definitions

• Class: When the word “class” is followed by
  • One digit, the class of dangerous goods listed in schedule 1; and
  • Two digits separated by a point, the class of dangerous goods listed in schedule 1 and its division. (classe)
• Classification: For dangerous goods, includes the shipping name, the primary class, the compatibility group, the subsidiary class, the UN number, the packing group, and the infectious substance category. (classification)
• Consignor: Is a person in Canada who
  • Is named in a shipping document as the consignor,
  • Imports or who will import dangerous goods into Canada, or
  • If paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply, has possession of dangerous goods immediately before they are in transport. (expéditeur)

Summary of requirements

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.

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.