Complete understanding of Marking and Labeling of Hazardous Goods on Packaging Items

Hazmat labels are an essential tool for identifying hazardous materials and ensuring such materials’ safe transport. Hazmat labels are designed to be highly visible. It contains information such as the UN number, hazard class, and proper shipping name to enable people to quickly identify the type of hazardous material they are dealing with. The specific design of the labels varies depending on the hazard class and must be displayed on packages containing hazardous materials to comply with transport regulations.

Hazmat labels, also known as hazard labels or hazardous material labels, are used to identify and communicate the hazards associated with a particular substance or material. These labels are an essential part of the overall system for managing hazardous materials. They inform workers, emergency responders, and the general public about the potential dangers of handling or coming into contact with certain substances.

Hazmat labels are required by law to be placed on containers of hazardous materials and vehicles that transport hazardous materials. The labels must be affixed in a visible location and easily readable from a distance.

There are several different types of hazmat labels, including:

1. Primary hazard labels: These labels are used to identify the most significant hazard of a substance or material. Through the hazardous label, it is easy to locate. A label is attached to the packaging or overpack. There are nine primary hazard labels, including:

• Explosive
• Flammable
• Oxidizing
• Toxic
• Corrosive
• Radioactive
• Biohazardous
• Health hazard
• Environmental hazard

2. Marking: An additional identifier affixed to the packaging, be it UN number, PSN-combination weight specifications, Precautionary measures, and emergency response number and their guidelines. It guarantees cargo is effectively managed. Unlike labels and placards, markings lack a predefined design, color, and dimensions.

3. Placards: These labels identify the type of hazardous material transported on a vehicle. There are several different placards, including:

• Explosive
• Flammable
• Oxidizing
• Toxic
• Corrosive
• Radioactive

It is essential to carefully read and understand the hazards associated with any substance or material you may encounter. You should follow proper safety procedures and wear appropriate personal protective equipment when handling hazardous materials.

What Do The Symbols Represent?

Hazardous materials require special handling to protect people and the environment from danger. A hazmat label is an essential tool used to communicate the potential risks of a material and provide crucial information on how best to handle it. The label contains symbols representing the type of hazard the material presents, helping to quickly and accurately identify the dangers associated with that material. Knowing what each symbol means is critical for safely handling and storing hazardous materials.

A hazardous cargo that has been correctly categorized, mapped with its proper shipping marking, and adequately packed but is not consigned as per Part 5 of the IMDG Code will fall short in achieving the aim of this industry-wide standard, ‘improve the safe carriage of dangerous goods while providing the free unrestricted movement of such goods and control pollution to the environment.’

Part 5 of the IMDG Code – https://unece.org/DAM/trans/danger/publi/adr/adr2011/English/Part5.pdf

Part 5 of the IMDG Code starts with consignment procedures’ two most critical aspects.

1. To facilitate the safe transport of potentially hazardous cargoes, all parties must strictly observe the requirements in Part 5 of the IMDG Code so that their cargo is clearly identifiable and documented.
2. A carrier must only accept potentially hazardous materials if a complete and valid dangerous goods declaration is provided.

Though in theory, some dangerous goods need not bear any form of labeling, placarding, or documentation. The particulars of what is required and when not must be ascertained by consulting part 5, chapter 3.2 of the individual entries in part 3.

Example

1. Necessary for the transportation of excepted packages, a dangerous goods declaration is not required if UN Number preceded by the letters ‘UN’ and comprising both consignor and consignee’s names are legibly affixed to said package found within an accompanying transport document. An example might be a bill of lading or airway bill that clearly states those details.
2. For containers containing Nickel-metal hydride cells or batteries with a total gross mass exceeding 100 kg, no marking, labeling, or placarding is necessary; instead, a transport document issued and safeguarded from sources of heat should be present for safe passage.

What should be the Specification of Labels

In the aspect of color, symbols, numbers, and general format, the labels must meet the specifications mentioned in section 5.2.2.2.2 of the IMDG Code.

• Labels shall be at an angle of 45° (diamond-shaped) in the form of a square set with mini. Dimensions of 100 mm by 100 mm
• It should be 5 mm inside the edge and running parallel with it.
• The line’s upper half of a label shall have the same color as the symbol, and the lower half shall have the same color as the figure in the bottom corner.
• It shall be displayed on a background of contrasting colors or shall have a dotted or solid outer boundary line.

Code of Federal Regulations: The color of the label is an essential aspect, for it not only reveals the type of hazard involved. It would be advantageous for those designing their own labels and want to remain at maximum accuracy when assigning colors in PANTONE’s formula guide. 

The following color standards in the PANTONE ® formula guide coated/uncoated (see § 171.7(b) of this subchapter) may be used to achieve the required colors on markings and hazard warning labels and placards:

(i) For Red—Use PANTONE ® 186 U

(ii) For Orange—Use PANTONE ® 151 U

(iii) For Yellow—Use PANTONE ® 109 U

(iv) For Green—Use PANTONE ® 335 U

(v) For Blue—Use PANTONE ® 285 U

(vi) For Purple—Use PANTONE ® 259 U

Font Size for the UN marking

Each package must have an identifying UN number corresponding to the hazardous material contained, followed by letters denoting ‘UN’ in a highly legible fashion.

The UN no. and the letters “UN” shall be at least 12 mm in height, except packages of 30-liter capacity or less (or 30 kg maximum net mass) and cylinders of 60-liter water capacities or less; however, if 5 liters (5 kg) is also included within their volume limits, then they should be no smaller than appropriate.

What type of Standard Test for the Label

Adhere to BS-5609 LABELS (WATER RESISTANCE) For Chemical Filled Drum 

British Standard BS 5609 defines printed pressure-sensitive or self-adhesive coated labels for aquatic use.

Under the UN, GHS, and IMDG code, chemical manufacturers transporting dangerous goods on international waters must match BS 5609 specifications, which need labels capable of resisting three-month salt-water submersion tests.

BS 5609-certified labels are verified to fulfill the industry’s most rigorous tests for durability and are defined as long-lasting labels for appropriate use in extreme environmental conditions.

There are two critical areas of the standard:

# 1 – Label performance

This tests the checked performance and durability of the BS 5609 label material and adhesive under saltwater exposure, temperature variations, environment, and exposure to salt spray and sunlight. 

#2 – Print performance

Through the BS 5609 tests, we need to check the abrasion resistance and permanence of the image on the label. Testing contains exposure to artificial weathering (salt spray and sunlight), tape displacement, and abrasion resistance. (Samples are checked with a mixture of sand and artificial seawater)

BS 5609 test approved label provided by Avery Dennison. 

How do we have the Labeling and Marking of any packages?

Box has marked with UN Number, Proper Shipping name, and technical name when allocated with special requirements 318 or 274. 

Example” UN 5408 Chemical PESTICIDE, LIQUID, TOXIC, N.O.S. (2,4 D Sodium). 

IBCs of more than 450 ℓ capacity and bulk packaging (such as Jumbo bags) shall be marked on two opposing sides.

Marine Pollutant

When a substance, material, or article possesses properties that meet the criteria for marine pollution classification as stipulated by IMDG Code but does not yet fall under Marine Pollutant classification by that same code, it must be consigned to Marine Pollutant status.

The document must identify this with the words MARINE POLLUTANT or MARINE POLLUTANT / ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS.

Know your UN packaging codes – The complete guide

Additionally, the package must have the Marine Pollutant Mark, which shall be at least 100 mm × 100 mm unless the package size can only take more minor marks.

Exception – Single packagings and combination packagings, wherein the inner packs or single units of such combinations have an aggregate net quantity of 5 or less for liquids, or total mass not exceeding 5 kg for solids, need not have a Marine Pollutant Mark. However, it is mandatory that each container accompanying this packaging display one on each side and one at either end – all displaying Marine Pollutant Marks.

Mixed Packaging Products

When multiple hazardous articles are grouped within a single outer packaging, the requisite label and markings shall be applied to each substance or article. If the same label is necessary for different goods, it only needs to be applied once.

To be Noted

“The packaging should be hermetically sealed inner packaging, each containing not more than 500 ml.” 

Reference – 5.1.4