GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Delineation of Dangerous Goods
The delineation of dangerous goods is the systematic process of determining whether a substance or article falls under applicable hazardous materials regulations and is therefore subject to special requirements for transport, packaging, and labelling.
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Source: https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods
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The delineation of dangerous goods is the systematic process of determining whether a substance or article falls under applicable hazardous materials regulations and is therefore subject to special requirements for transport, packaging, and labelling. The framework rests on the UN hazard classes and the corresponding modal regulations: ADR for road, IMDG Code for sea, IATA DGR for air, and RID for rail. Shippers and freight forwarders must complete this assessment before dispatch; incorrect or missing classification can result in fines, liability exposure, and serious safety incidents. Unlike the full classification process — which assigns the UN number, packing group, and hazard labels — delineation answers only the threshold question: is this substance regulated as dangerous goods, yes or no?
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