{"id":20987,"date":"2024-09-12T11:00:39","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T11:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/?p=20987"},"modified":"2025-09-09T10:14:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T10:14:26","slug":"types-dangerous-goods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/2024\/09\/12\/types-dangerous-goods\/","title":{"rendered":"What types of dangerous goods are there?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the freight transport and logistics sector<\/a>, a multitude of cargoes are handled and handled on a daily basis. This is not just because the volume of goods is high, no. We also deal with materials and substances that require much more sensitive handling. We also work with materials and substances that require much more delicate treatment than usual, as this is the only way to ensure that they remain in good condition throughout the entire process. And yes, we speak in the plural, as there are several types of dangerous goods<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

These cargoes are recognised as such by the European Agreement concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR)<\/strong>, which entered into force as early as 1968. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, so proper handling of these goods is essential. That is why vehicles transporting such materials must use the relevant signage, which varies according to the class to which the cargo belongs. It is common to see these signs on trucks, and if you are a professional in the sector, you are sure to have studied them more than once.<\/p>\n

In case you need to brush up on them, Conde Fern\u00e1ndez Hermanos can give you a hand. These are all the types of dangerous goods that exist according to the ADR and the signs you should use for them.<\/p>\n

The 9 classes of dangerous goods<\/h2>\n

\"Tipos<\/p>\n

According to the European Union, there are 9 general categories of dangerous goods<\/strong>, 13 in total if we count the specific classifications. The definition of these groups depends not only on the type of goods put into circulation, but also on the danger they may pose to those involved. The means of transport on which they are placed does not affect these categories.<\/p>\n

These categories are as follows:<\/p>\n

Class 1, dangerous substances and articles<\/h3>\n

This category includes all substances which generally have a risk of causing a fire or explosion. More specifically, the ADR includes explosive substances<\/strong>, whether solid or liquid; explosive articles<\/strong>; and pyrotechnic substances<\/strong>. Class 1 dangerous goods are also understood to be those manufactured to produce an effect similar to that of an explosion or fire.<\/p>\n

These must be indicated by an orange sign with a number from 1.1 to 1.6, going from the most to the least dangerous, respectively. Signs 1.1 to 1.3 are easily recognisable as they include a design of a detonation.<\/p>\n

Class 2, gases<\/h3>\n

When we talk about gases, we are not referring to just any substance, but it must meet two requirements to validate its hazardousness<\/strong>. At 50\u00b0C, it must have a pressure greater than 3 bar. If, at the same time, it is in a gaseous state at only 20\u00b0C with a pressure, it is also considered a dangerous good.<\/p>\n

For this category, there are various markings depending on the hazard presented by the gas. Those that are flammable use a red sign with a flame symbol and the number 2. Non-toxic and non-flammable gases use a green sign, and toxic or poisonous gases require a white sign with a skull symbol.<\/p>\n

Class 3, flammable liquids<\/h3>\n

\"Se\u00f1alizaci\u00f3n<\/p>\n

As the name suggests, these liquid cargoes can burn on exposure to high temperatures<\/strong>. What you may not be aware of is that this also includes solid goods which, by melting at over 60\u00b0C, can also pose a risk in traffic<\/strong>. Be careful with the sign used for this class, as it is similar to the one used for flammable gases in the previous class. The only difference is the number, which in this case becomes 3.<\/p>\n

Class 4, flammable, self-reactive and explosive neutralised solid substances<\/h3>\n

As mentioned above, some categories include more specific classifications. Thus, in class 4, we find different dangerous goods. Solid substances that can ignite, self-reactive substances and substances whose explosive properties have been neutralised<\/strong> fall into this category. Also included are those which can spontaneously ignite<\/strong>, as well as those which, on coming into contact with water, begin to release flammable gases<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Each of these cargoes needs its own marking. Flammable solids use a red and white striped sign, materials that can spontaneously ignite use a half red, half white, and those that are affected by water and moisture use a blue sign with the number 4. In all three cases, a flame symbol must always be present.<\/p>\n

Class 5, oxidising substances and organic peroxides<\/h3>\n

The fifth category includes two other typologies. On the one hand, there are oxidising substances, which give off oxygen and therefore increase the risk of other substances or objects catching fire<\/strong>, although they are not in themselves combustible. On the other hand, there are organic peroxide goods, which are not only oxidising, but also combustible and even unstable<\/strong>, which makes it essential to transport them under constant temperature control.<\/p>\n

While only oxidising substances use an all-yellow signal, those that are also combustible and unstable are half red, half yellow. In both cases, a flame symbol must be present, as well as the numbers 5.1 and 5.2, respectively, for correct identification.<\/p>\n

Class 6, toxic and infectious substances<\/h3>\n

\"Se\u00f1alizaci\u00f3n<\/p>\n

This classification covers both toxic materials, which cause direct damage to the health<\/strong> of living beings, and infectious materials, which can cause disease<\/strong> by containing pathogens. The signs they use are very simple, both white and numbered 6. For toxic materials, the symbol of a skull must be used, and for infectious materials, the symbol of the three superimposed moons.<\/p>\n

Class 7, radioactive materials<\/h3>\n

These goods emit radiation or particles that can cause cell damage<\/strong> in humans and animals. The severity of this year depends on the goods themselves, which is why different signals are used depending on their dangerousness, from type I to III. Substances II and III use a white and yellow label, while I is only white. In all cases the traditional trefoil symbol is used to indicate radioactive activity.<\/p>\n

Class 8, corrosive substances<\/h3>\n

By corrosive, we mean substances which cause a harmful chemical reaction when they come into contact with other bodies and surfaces<\/strong>. Naturally, they present a very high danger to humans, so their correct marking is essential. There is only one marking for this class, half white and half black with two test tubes pouring liquid as a symbol.<\/p>\n

Class 9, miscellaneous materials<\/h3>\n

This is an umbrella category, as it includes all those goods that do not meet the requirements of the previous categories<\/strong>, but which nevertheless, due to their specific characteristics, still present a high degree of danger. They all use the same sign, with the lower half white and the upper half with black and white stripes, in addition to the number 9 as an identifying element.<\/p>\n

As always, the signage is mandatory<\/h2>\n

\"Se\u00f1alizaci\u00f3n<\/p>\n

It goes without saying that, given the risk posed by dangerous loads, their use is mandatory for all professionals<\/strong> in the road haulage sector. It does not matter in which format they are used, as they are valid both on a plate and on a sticker<\/strong>. What we must take into account is their correct placement, as they must be placed both at the rear of the lorry and on the sides. The absence of the proper ADR label carries a penalty, so it is important to be rigorous in this respect.<\/p>\n

As always, there is an exception to the rule on the use of these signs. More specifically, you can carry dangerous goods without ADR labels as long as they are small quantities, which is known as an excepted quantity<\/strong>. However, this does not mean that you do not need to use a sign<\/strong>, as in this case you still need a specific sign containing the red E symbol and the relevant information about the goods.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the freight transport and logistics sector, a multitude of cargoes are handled and handled on a daily basis. This is not just because the volume of goods is high, no. We also deal with materials and substances that require much more sensitive handling. We also work with materials and substances that require much more […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20972,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20987","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20987"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20987\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22184,"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20987\/revisions\/22184"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20987"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20987"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/condefernandez.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20987"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}