GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 24, 2026
Identification Number (for Dangerous Goods)
Unlike a shipment reference or container code, the identification number for dangerous goods does not identify a specific consignment but the substance itself: it is the four-digit UN number assigned by the United Nations to each hazardous substance or group of substances.
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Source: https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods
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Definition & Explanation
Unlike a shipment reference or container code, the identification number for dangerous goods does not identify a specific consignment but the substance itself: it is the four-digit UN number assigned by the United Nations to each hazardous substance or group of substances. It must appear on transport documents, packaging, and hazard labels, and is displayed on orange warning panels on vehicles. Drivers, emergency responders, and customs officers use the UN number to immediately determine a substance's properties, required protective equipment, and emergency procedures. The applicable transport regulations – ADR (road), RID (rail), and IMDG (sea) – mandate its correct declaration as a compulsory element of dangerous goods documentation.
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