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Nine classes,
one clear rule.
Dangerous goods are sorted into nine classes under the ADR rules, and knowing which one applies, and declaring it, is the starting point for moving them safely.
How dangerous goods are classified
Goods that pose a risk in transport are grouped under the ADR framework, the European agreement governing the carriage of dangerous goods by road. Rather than treating every hazardous item the same, the rules sort them into nine classes according to the kind of danger they present.
The classification is the foundation everything else rests on. It determines how an item must be packaged, labelled and carried, so identifying the correct class is not a formality but the first practical step in moving the goods compliantly and safely.
The nine ADR classes
In outline, the nine classes cover the following kinds of hazard:
- Class 1, explosives.
- Class 2, gases.
- Class 3, flammable liquids.
- Class 4, flammable solids.
- Class 5, oxidising substances.
- Class 6, toxic and infectious substances.
- Class 7, radioactive material.
- Class 8, corrosives.
- Class 9, miscellaneous dangerous goods.
Many everyday items fall into one of these without people realising, which is why a quick check against the classes is always worthwhile.
Declaring and carrying it properly
Whatever the class, one rule holds throughout: always declare the UN number and the class of the goods. That short pair of details tells a carrier exactly what is being moved and lets the run be set up correctly, with the right precautions in place from the outset.
Carried this way, dangerous goods can travel compliantly on a dedicated run, with the consignment handled by one vehicle directly rather than passed through a network. If your goods fall under ADR, declare them up front, and our hazardous and ADR service can advise on moving them correctly.
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