Section 3.2.

1 - Structure of the DGL

The Dangerous Goods List is divided into 18 columns as follows:

Column 1 UN No. - this column contains the United Nations number assigned to a dangerous good by the
United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN List).

Column 2 Proper shipping name (PSN) - this column contains the proper shipping names in upper-
case characters, which may have to be followed by additional descriptive text in lower-case
characters (see 3.1.2). Proper shipping names may be shown in plural where isomers of similar
classification exist. Hydrates may be included under the proper shipping name for the
anhydrous substances. Unless otherwise indicated for an entry in the Dangerous Goods List,
the word "SOLUTION" in a proper shipping name means one or more named dangerous goods
dissolved in a liquid that is not otherwise subject to this Code. When a flashpoint is mentioned
in this column, the data is based on closed-cup (c.c.) methods.

Column 3 Class or division - this column contains the class and, in the case of class 1, the division and
the compatibility group assigned to the substance or article according to the classification
system described in part 2, chapter 2.1.

Column 4 Subsidiary hazard(s) - this column contains the class number(s) of any subsidiary hazard(s)
which have been identified by applying the classification system described in part 2. This
column also identifies a dangerous good as a marine pollutant as follows:

P - Marine pollutant: a non-exhaustive list of known marine pollutants, based on previous

criteria and assignment. The absence of the symbol P or the presence of a "-" in that
column does not preclude the application of 2.10.3.

Column 5 Packing group - this column contains the packing group number (i.e. I, II or Ill) where assigned
to the substance or article. If more than one packing group is indicated for the entry, the packing
group of the substance or formulation to be transported shall be determined, based on its
properties, through application of the hazard grouping criteria as provided in part 2.

Column 6 Special provisions - this column contains a number referring to any special provision(s)
indicated in chapter 3.3 that is relevant to the substance or article. Special provisions apply to
all packing groups permitted for a particular substance or article unless the wording makes it
otherwise apparent. The special provision numbers specific to the sea mode start from 900.

Note: When a special provision is no longer needed, this special provision is deleted but the
special provision number is not allocated again, in order not to confuse the users of this Code.
For this reason, some of the numbers are missing.

Column 7a Limited quantities - this column provides the maximum quantity per inner packaging or article
for transporting dangerous goods as limited quantities in accordance with chapter 3.4.

Column 7b Excepted quantities - this column provides an alpha-numeric code described in subsection
3.5.1.2 which indicates the maximum quantity per inner and outer packaging for transporting
dangerous goods as excepted quantities in accordance with chapter 3.5.

Column 8 Packing instructions - this column contains alpha-numeric codes which refer to the relevant
packing instruction(s) in 4.1.4. The packing instructions indicate the packagings (including large
packagings) which may be used for the transport of substances and articles.

A code including the letter "P" refers to packing instructions for the use of packagings described
in chapter 6.1, 6.2 or 6.3.
A code including the letters "LP" refers to packing instructions for the use of large packagings
described in chapter 6.6.
When a code including the letter(s) "P" or "LP" is not provided, it means that the substance is
not allowed in that type of packaging.
Column 9 Special packing provisions - this column contains alpha-numeric codes which refer to the
relevant special packing provisions specified in 4.1.4. The special packing provisions indicate
the packagings (including large packagings).
A special packing provision including the letters "PP" refers to a special packing provision
applicable to the use of a packing instruction bearing the Code "P" in 4.1.4.1.
A special packing provision including the letter 'T' refers to a special packing provision applicable
to a packing instruction bearing the code "LP" in 4.1.4.3.
Column 10 IBC packing instructions - this column contains alpha-numeric codes that refer to the relevant
IBC instruction, which indicates the type of IBC that shall be used for the transport of the
substance under reference. A code including the letters "IBC" refers to packing instructions for
the use of IBCs described in chapter 6.5. When a code is not provided, it means the substance
is not authorized in IBC.
Column 11 IBC special provisions - this column contains an alpha-numeric code, including the letter "B",
which refers to special packing provisions applicable to the use of packing instructions bearing
the code "IBC" in 4.1.4.2.
Column 12 [Reserved]
Column 13 Tank and bulk container instructions - this column contains T codes (see 4.2.5.2.6) applicable
to the transport of dangerous goods in portable tanks and road tank vehicles.
When a T code is not provided in this column, it means that the dangerous goods are not
authorized for transport in tanks unless specifically approved by the competent authority.
A code including the letters "BK" refers to the type of bulk containers used for the transport of
bulk goods described in chapters 4.3 and 6.9.
The gases authorized for transport in MEGCs are indicated in the column "MEGC" in tables 1
and 2 of packing instruction P200 in 4.1.4.1.
Column 14 Tank special provisions -this column contains TP notes (see 4.2.5.3) applicable to the transport
of dangerous goods in portable tanks and road tank vehicles. The TP notes specified in this
column apply to the portable tanks specified in column 13.
Column 15 EmS - this column refers to the relevant emergency schedules for FIRE and SPILLAGE in "The
EmS Guide - Revised Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods".
The first EmS code refers to the relevant Fire Schedule (e.g. Fire Schedule Alfa "F-A'' General
Fire Schedule).
The second EmS code refers to the relevant Spillage Schedule (e.g. Spillage Schedule Alfa
"S-A'' Toxic Substances).
Underlined EmS codes (special cases) indicate a substance, material or article for which
additional advice is given in the emergency response procedures.
For dangerous goods offered for transport under N.O.S. entries or other generic entries, the
most relevant emergency response procedures may vary with the properties of the hazardous
constituents. As a consequence, shippers may have to declare different EmS codes from those
indicated, if, to their knowledge, such codes are more appropriate.
The provisions in this column are not mandatory.
Column 16a Stowage and handling - this column contains the stowage and handling codes as specified in
7.1.5 and 7.1.6.
Column 16b Segregation - this column contains the segregation group codes as specified in 7.2.5.2 and the
segregation codes as specified in 7.2.8.

Introduction to the IMDG code element – March 2023

Column 17 Properties and observations - this column contains properties of and observations on the
dangerous goods listed. The provisions in this column are not mandatory.
Properties of most gases include an indication of its density in relation to air. The figures in
brackets give the density relative to air.
.1 "lighter than air" when the vapour density is down to half that of air;
.2 "much lighter than air" when the vapour density is less than half that of air;
.3 "heavier than air" when the vapour density is up to twice that of air; and
.4 "much heavier than air" when the vapour density is more than twice that of air.
When explosive limits are given, these refer to the volume percentage of the vapour of the
substance when mixed with air.
The ease and extent to which different liquids mix with water varies greatly and most entries
have included an indication of miscibility. In these cases "miscible with water" normally means
capable of being mixed with water in all proportions to form a completely homogeneous liquid.
Column 18 UN No. - see column 1.

Introduction to the IMDG code element – March 2023