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.
Dangerous goods classes and divisions
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.
- Corrosive substances – ACIDS
- Corrosive substances – ALKALIS
- Agricultural chemicals
- Fuels
- Gases
- Oxidising agents
- Solvents/thinners
- Organic peroxides
- Toxic substances