GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Subclassification of dangerous goods classes
Approved packaging, permitted routes, and required documentation all hinge on which division a dangerous good is assigned to—that is the practical function of the subclassification of dangerous goods classes.
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Source: https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods
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Definition & Explanation
Approved packaging, permitted routes, and required documentation all hinge on which division a dangerous good is assigned to—that is the practical function of the subclassification of dangerous goods classes. The UN system establishes nine main hazard classes, from explosives (Class 1) to corrosives (Class 8), each further divided into subdivisions. Class 1 explosives, for instance, are split into divisions 1.1 through 1.6 according to mass explosion hazard and detonation sensitivity. That granularity carries direct operational consequences: within a single main class, transport prohibitions, quantity thresholds, ADR tunnel categories, and training requirements can differ substantially. Shippers and forwarders must state the correct division—alongside the UN number and packing group—on transport documents and hazard labels; misclassification constitutes a regulatory offence and can result in shipments being held.
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