Section 14 of your GHS compliant SDS covers all relevant transportation information regarding classification information for hazardous substances and mixtures by road, rail, sea, or air. Note that not all substances and mixtures will have transportation information, and thus, information must be specifically stated as not available if it is not provided. Below is a list of transportation information you can expect to find in Section 14 of your SDS(s):
UN Number – a four-digit number that identifies hazardous substances or articles (e.g. explosives, flammable liquids, toxic substances, etc.).
UN Proper Shipping Name – the UN Proper Shipping Name (PSN) accurately describes the hazards of the goods being transported. According to transport regulations, all dangerous goods must be assigned to a Proper Shipping Name.
Transport hazard class – substances and articles are assigned to a transport hazard class based on its most predominant hazard.
Packing group – a packing group number will be assigned depending on its degree of hazard (e.g. I, II, III, 1A, 1B and 1C).
Environmental hazards – if the substance is a known marine pollutant, then it must be indicated as either a “marine pollutant” or a “severe marine pollutant.”
Special precautions for users – any further special precautions for users must be listed in this section.
Transport in bulk – additional safety and hazard information regarding shipments in bulk.
Below is an example of Section 14:
It is important to keep in mind that Sections 12-15 will not be enforced by OSHA, but instead will be regulated by other U.S. agencies such as Depart of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For additional information regarding the content of Section 14, please refer to UN Model Regulations.
