Commonly used dangerous goods

Dangerous goods classes and divisions

There are 9 classes of dangerous goods. Some are also subdivided into divisions. Learn more about what they are and which ones are most commonly used.

Class 1: Explosives

• Division 1.1: Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard
• Division 1.2: Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard
• Division 1.3: Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard
• Division 1.4: Substances and articles which present no significant hazard
• Division 1.5: Very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard
• Division 1.6: Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard

Class 2: Gases

• Division 2.1: Flammable gases
• Division 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
• Division 2.3: Toxic gases

Class 3: Flammable liquids

Class 4: Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, on contact with water, emit flammable gases

• Division 4.1: Flammable solids, self-reactive substances, solid desensitised explosives and polymerizing substances
• Division 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
• Division 4.3: Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases

Class 5: Oxidising substances, organic peroxides

• Division 5.1: Oxidising substances
• Division 5.2: Organic peroxides

Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances

• Division 6.1: Toxic substances
• Division 6.2: Infectious substances

Class 7: Radioactive material

Class 8: Corrosive substances

Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles including environmentally hazardous substances

Examples of commonly used dangerous goods

Below is a list some of the most commonly used dangerous goods and their class or division. These substances may be dangerous depending on their concentration.