What are IMDG code classifications?

 

The IMDG code is the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and consists of rules and regulations for safely transporting dangerous goods through the sea. These codes aim to prevent harm to human life, prevent water pollution, and manage the easy and secure movement of hazardous goods across the ocean while maintaining container transport safety. 

This article will delve into the classifications under the IMDG code and their specifications to make you aware of the preventions and shipping regulations you can follow while shipping some dangerous cargo. 

What does IMDG classification mean?

International Maritime Organisation (ISO) has produced this IMDG code. 1965, it was recommended as a proposal; in 2002, the 17th session adopted this code and claimed a special status under SOLAS.  In addition, there are some more points that you need to know about IMDG code for shipping containers: 

• Chapter VII of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS), provides guidelines for transporting dangerous goods. Moreover, the IMDG Code is an extended version of this chapter. 

• The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution (MARPOL) includes Annex III, which aims to prevent water pollution by packaging harmful materials. The IMDG Code also explains this guideline. 

• The Australian Dangerous Goods Code states, "Substances (including mixtures and solutions) and articles subject to this code come under one of nine classes according to the hazard or the most predominant of the hazards they present.”   

How do you classify goods according to the IMDG code?

Overcoming logistics challenges while transporting dangerous goods is challenging but requires compliance with the IMDG code. There are nine IMDG Code classifications according to different categories of hazardous goods to ensure clarity about the compliance you need before proceeding with the journey. Let's have a look at those categories altogether.  

1. Explosives: As the name suggests, explosive substances are potential threats to combustion. These combustible products like fireworks, ammunition, and chemicals can explode, and there are adherences that they need to follow. Certainly, it has six divisions listed as follows:

• Division 1.1: Substances or articles that can cause mass destruction.

• Division 1.2: Substances and articles with a projection destruction but not a mass explosion. 

• Division 1.3: Substances and articles with a fire risk, a small blast, a projection hazard, or both but not a mass explosion. 

• Division 1.4: Substances and articles that present no significant destruction. 

• Division 1.5: Very insensitive substances that are a threat to mass explosion.

• Division 1.6: Extremely insensitive articles that do not have a threat of mass explosion.

2. Gases: This IMDG Code class involves gases that compress, liquefy, and dissolve under pressure. The vapor pressure is above 300 kPa at 50 degrees Celsius, and they are entirely gaseous at a normal pressure of 101.3 kPa. Adding to this, it has three classifications: 

• Division 2.1: flammable gases: Gases at 20°C and 101.3 kPa are either :

(i) Combustible in a mixture of 13% or less by volume with air, or 

(ii) Have a combustible range with an air of at least 12 percentage points, independent of the lower flammable limit.

(iii) Example: Propane, Butane

• Division 2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases: It includes gasses which are:

(i) Asphyxia, which is very harmful to the body as it decreases the oxygen content and can lead to death by suffocation 

(ii) Oxidizing gases that lead to combustion if combined with oxygen.

(iii) Gases that are not included in other divisions. 

(iv) example: Chlorine, ammonia

• Division 2.3: It consists of gases that:

(i) Toxic, harmful, and corrosive gasses that are a threat to human health. 

(ii) They can affect human health as they have an excellent quotient for LC50. 

(iii) Example: Hydrogen Chloride

3. Flammable liquids: 

This IMDG Code class includes flammable liquid substances that will catch fire in the presence of flammable sources. These containerized liquids hazardous materials contain solids suspended in them, such as paints, varnishes, and lacquers, which give off a flammable vapor at temperatures of not more than 60 °C, closed-cup test, or not more than 65.6 °C, open-cup test, generally referred to as the flash point. Meanwhile, they also consist of: 

• Liquids are available for transportation at temperatures at or above their flashpoint.

• Substances transported or offered for transportation at high temperatures in a liquid form emit a flammable vapor at or below the maximum transport temperature.

4. Flammable solids: 

Flammable solids are substances that are easily subjected to combustion and, with water, release flammable gases. Henceforth, it has three divisions: 

1. Division 4.1: Combustible solids are solids that, due to the situation during transportation, are easily flammable and may cause fire due to friction, exothermic reactions in self-reactive materials, and explosions that can explode if not diluted. 

2. Division 4.2: Substances subjected to instinctive combustion can lead to spontaneous heating under container transportation conditions. 

3. Division 4.3: Substances that release flammable gases when in contact with water. 

5. Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides:

This IMDG Code class has two divisions, which further include: 

(a) Division 5.1 Oxidizing substances are not combustible but become combustible when combined with oxygen. 

(b) Division 5.2Division 5.2 Organic peroxides are the organic compounds with the divalent -0-0- structure that are an alternative to hydrogen peroxide, with one or both hydrogen atoms replaced by organic radicals. However, Organic peroxides are thermally unstable compounds that can undergo exothermic reactions leading to a self-breakdown. In addition, they may have one or more of these characteristics:

(i) Explosive fragmentation 

(ii) Quick burning

(iii) Impact of friction;

(iv) Harmful reactions with other compounds

(v) Eye injury.

6. Toxic and Infectious Substances: 

It has two divisions. According to the ADG Code, the definitions are as follows: 

(a) Division 6.1 Containerized toxic substances are substances that can lead to death or severe injury if they come in contact with skin or are inhaled. 

(b) Division 6.2 Containerized Infectious substances are expected to contain pathogens and microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause diseases. 

7. Radioactive material: 

Any material containing radionuclides whose activity concentration and total activity in the consignment exceed the values mentioned in the applicable Australian standard.

8. Corrosive Substances: 

Containerized Corrosive materials are so dangerous that a chemical reaction can cause huge damage to living tissues, and if there is leakage, it can destroy the substances. 

9. Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles: 

This class chiefly consists of the substances and articles not included by other classes: 

• Environmentally dangerous materials or containerized marine pollutants not included in other classes

• High-temperature materials are transported at temperatures above or equal to 100 degrees Celsius in liquid form and 240 degrees Celsius in solid state.

• Furthermore, GMOs (Genetically modified organisms) are not defined as infectious substances but affect plants and animals abnormally. 

What safety precautions are required under the IMDG code?

Carrying these harmful materials included in these classes can be dangerous for the workers' health and affect the environment, too. So, there are some strict rules or IMDG Code compliances that you need to follow: 

•  Labeling: Covers container safety marking with hazard symbols.

•  Packaging: Proper packing to avoid leaks and spills. 

•  Stowage guidelines: Proper placement aboard the ship types. 

•  Handling:  rules and regulations for Crew Members. 

•  Transportation: Lastly, the safe movement of these products is important.

The IMDG Code, with specific rules, regulations, and guidelines, has set some safety measures to avoid any loss, environmental or physical. Therefore, it consists of 9 classifications with different types of dangerous substances that must be labeled according to their categories to let the people involved in the shipping know how to manage them. Basically, by being more careful and the use of IMDG Code you can save lives and your environment.

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