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Dangerous Goods

Classification & Packaging Getting It Right First Time

Expert dangerous goods classification and packaging advice. UN number identification, proper shipping name, class determination, packing group assignment, packaging specification and testing requirements for road, sea and air transport.

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3,500+UN numbers in current regulations
9Dangerous goods classes
ADRIMDG & IATA packaging
CLPGHS classification alignment
Classification & Packaging

Why Classification Matters

A workplace risk assessment is a systematic examination of your work activities, premises and processes to identify what could cause harm to people — and whether you're doing enough to prevent it. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), every employer must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employees and anyone else who may be affected by their work activities.

If you have five or more employees, the significant findings of your risk assessment must be recorded in writing. But regardless of your size, risk assessment is the foundation of every health and safety management system — without it, you're managing safety blind.

RADCaT's qualified health and safety consultants carry out thorough, practical workplace risk assessments for businesses of every size and sector across the UK. We don't produce generic templates — we visit your premises, walk your processes, talk to your team and produce site-specific, task-specific assessments that genuinely reflect your operations and give you a clear, prioritised action plan for improvement.

Whether you need a general workplace risk assessment for your office, a task-specific assessment for high-risk activities in a factory, a site-wide review for a multi-building campus, or a pre-project risk assessment for a construction site — RADCaT delivers expert, HSE-compliant assessments tailored to your industry and your operations.

Incorrect classification is the root cause of most dangerous goods prosecutions. A single misclassified consignment can result in roadside prohibition, cargo detention, airline rejection, enforcement action and — in the worst case — a serious incident involving incorrectly handled hazardous materials.

Classification & Packaging from RADCaT
Types of Risk Assessment

Classification & Packaging Services

From UN number identification to packaging specification and testing.

UN Classification

Determination of correct UN number, proper shipping name, class, subsidiary risks and packing group for your substances — pure substances, solutions, mixtures and articles.

Mixture Classification

Classification of mixtures and solutions using precedence of hazard rules, calculation methods and, where necessary, coordination of physical testing to determine class and packing group.

Packaging Specification

Specification of UN-approved packaging for your substances — packaging instructions (ADR P-instructions, IMDG PIs, IATA PIs), inner/outer combinations, quantity limits and closure requirements.

Packaging Testing

Coordination of UN performance testing — drop test, stacking test, internal pressure test, leakproofness test and compatibility testing for new or modified packaging.

Multi-Modal Packaging

Where substances travel by road, sea and air, we specify packaging that satisfies all applicable modes — avoiding re-packaging at modal transfer points.

Labelling & Marking

Correct hazard labels, handling labels, UN marking, orientation arrows, limited quantity marks, overpack marks and environmental hazard marks for every package and transport unit.

Every Industry

Risk Assessments for Your Sector

Every industry has different hazards. We tailor every assessment to your specific sector and operations.

Factories & Warehousing

Machinery, forklift, racking, noise

Transport & Logistics

Depot safety, loading bays, vehicles

Construction

CDM, excavations, heights, demolition

Schools & Education

Classrooms, labs, playgrounds, trips

Care & Healthcare

Patient handling, clinical, infection

Chemical

Process safety, COSHH, DSEAR

Hospitality

Kitchens, fire, slips, public safety

SMEs & Offices

DSE, fire, general workplace

Charities

Events, lone working, volunteers
Our Process

How We Carry Out a Risk Assessment

1

Substance Information

We collect SDS data, composition details and physical/chemical properties for your substance or mixture.

2

Classification Determination

We determine the correct UN number, proper shipping name, class, subsidiary risks and packing group using ADR/IMDG/IATA classification criteria.

3

Packaging Specification

We specify compliant packaging — type, material, size, closure, inner packaging and quantity limits for each transport mode.

4

Documentation

We prepare or review transport documentation with correct classification data — ensuring consistency across consignment notes, labels and declarations.

5

Ongoing Support

Classification review when formulations change, new products are introduced or regulations are amended.

Related Services

Complete Your Compliance Puzzle

DGSA Consultancy

Statutory adviser appointment

ADR Training

Road transport compliance

IMDG Compliance

Sea freight dangerous goods

IATA Compliance

Air freight dangerous goods

Classification & Packaging

UN classification & packing

Compliance Audits

DG operational audits

Annual Reports

Statutory DGSA reports

Emergency Support

24/7 DG incident line

Health & Safety

Workplace risk management

DSEAR Assessments

Explosive atmosphere compliance

On-Site Training

Delivered at your premises

Training Courses

Accredited courses
Common Questions

Classification & Packaging FAQ

How do I find the UN number for my substance?

UN numbers are listed in ADR Table A (Chapter 3.2), the IMDG Dangerous Goods List and the IATA DGR. For pure substances, look up the chemical name. For mixtures, classification may require assessment of composition and physical properties. RADCaT identifies the correct UN number for any substance.

What is a packing group?

Packing groups indicate the degree of danger: PG I (high danger), PG II (medium) and PG III (low). The packing group determines packaging strength requirements and quantity thresholds. Not all classes use packing groups — gases (Class 2) and some other classes have different systems.

Can you classify mixtures?

Yes. Mixtures require classification using precedence of hazard rules, calculation methods and sometimes physical testing. We determine the correct classification for solutions, mixtures, preparations and formulations of any complexity.

What is UN-approved packaging?

Packaging that has been tested and certified to UN performance standards — drop test, stacking test, internal pressure/leakproofness test. UN-approved packaging carries a UN marking code. We specify the correct packaging and connect you with approved packaging suppliers.

Do packaging requirements differ between modes?

Yes, significantly. A package acceptable for road transport (ADR) may not meet sea freight (IMDG) or air freight (IATA) standards. Quantity limits, inner packaging requirements and testing standards differ between modes. We specify multi-modal packaging where needed.

What if my product formulation changes?

Any formulation change could affect classification, packing group and packaging requirements. RADCaT reviews classifications whenever products change and updates documentation accordingly.

How much does classification advice cost?

Based on the number of substances and complexity. Single substance classification is straightforward. Complex mixtures requiring testing take longer. Contact us for a quote.

Need Classification or Packaging Advice?

Send us your substance details and we'll provide accurate classification and packaging specification.

Get Classification Advice 0333 3233 785