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Labelling Requirements

IATA DGR 67th Ed. Section 7.2–7.4 — which hazard labels are required for each class, subsidiary hazard label rules, and special labels including CAO, orientation arrows, lithium battery mark, limited/excepted quantity marks, and overpack marking.

Key Principle: Every dangerous goods package must bear the correct primary hazard label(s) and all applicable subsidiary hazard labels as shown in DGR Table 4.2. Incorrect or missing labels are grounds for rejection at acceptance check.

Primary Hazard Labels by Class (DGR 7.2)

Class 1Explosives
Label colour: Orange

Orange background with exploding bomb symbol. Division number (1.1–1.6) and compatibility group letter shown in lower half.

  • ▸Division 1.4S: green numeral '1.4' with compatibility group 'S' — less hazardous
  • ▸Division 1.5/1.6: orange with division number only — mass explosion / extremely insensitive
  • ▸All Class 1 shipments are CAO only (except 1.4S with operator approval)
Class 2.1Flammable Gas
Label colour: Red

Red background with flame symbol. White or black text 'FLAMMABLE GAS' in lower portion.

  • ▸Applies to gases with a flammable range in air at 20 °C and 101.3 kPa
  • ▸Aerosols (UN 1950) may carry this label based on contents
  • ▸Subsidiary labels may be required for toxic or corrosive gases
Class 2.2Non-Flammable, Non-Toxic Gas
Label colour: Green

Green background with gas cylinder symbol. White or black text in lower portion.

  • ▸Includes compressed air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, noble gases
  • ▸Oxidizing gases (2.2 with 5.1 subsidiary) require additional 5.1 label
  • ▸Cryogenic liquids may need orientation arrows in addition
Class 2.3Toxic Gas
Label colour: White

White background with skull and crossbones symbol. Black text 'TOXIC GAS'.

  • ▸LC50 ≤ 5000 mL/m³ for inhalation toxicity
  • ▸Frequently requires subsidiary 2.1 (flammable) or 8 (corrosive) label
  • ▸Many 2.3 gases are Forbidden on PAX aircraft
Class 3Flammable Liquids
Label colour: Red

Red background with flame symbol. White or black text 'FLAMMABLE LIQUID'.

  • ▸Flash point criteria: ≤60 °C (closed cup) or ≤65.6 °C (open cup)
  • ▸Subsidiary labels (6.1 toxic or 8 corrosive) required where applicable
  • ▸Orientation arrows mandatory for combination packaging containing liquids
Class 4.1Flammable Solids
Label colour: White with red stripes

White background with red vertical stripes and flame symbol.

  • ▸Includes self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives
  • ▸Self-reactive Type B–F may need additional 'EXPLOSIVE' subsidiary label
  • ▸Polymerizing substances (4.1) may require temperature control label
Class 4.2Spontaneously Combustible
Label colour: White / Red

Upper half white, lower half red. Flame symbol in upper portion.

  • ▸Pyrophoric liquids and solids — ignite within 5 minutes of air exposure
  • ▸Self-heating substances included in this division
  • ▸Most 4.2 PG I substances are Forbidden by air
Class 4.3Dangerous When Wet
Label colour: Blue

Blue background with flame symbol. White text 'DANGEROUS WHEN WET'.

  • ▸Emits flammable gas on contact with water
  • ▸Special packaging to prevent water ingress is mandatory
  • ▸Many 4.3 substances also carry subsidiary 4.1 or 8 labels
Class 5.1Oxidizing Substances
Label colour: Yellow

Yellow background with flame-over-circle symbol.

  • ▸Causes or contributes to combustion by yielding oxygen
  • ▸Must be segregated from flammable materials
  • ▸Subsidiary 6.1 (toxic) or 8 (corrosive) labels may apply
Class 5.2Organic Peroxides
Label colour: Red / Yellow

Upper half red, lower half yellow. Flame symbol.

  • ▸Type A: Forbidden by air under all circumstances
  • ▸Types B–F: specific PI and quantity limits apply
  • ▸Temperature-controlled peroxides require additional 'KEEP AWAY FROM HEAT' marking
Class 6.1Toxic Substances
Label colour: White

White background with skull and crossbones symbol.

  • ▸PG I (very toxic): many entries Forbidden on PAX aircraft
  • ▸PG II–III: subsidiary labels (3, 8) may be required
  • ▸Oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity criteria determine PG
Class 6.2Infectious Substances
Label colour: White

White background with biohazard symbol (three interlocking crescents).

  • ▸Category A (UN 2814/2900): triple packaging system, PI 602
  • ▸Category B (UN 3373): PI 650 — marked 'BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B'
  • ▸No subsidiary hazard labels required for 6.2
Class 7Radioactive Material
Label colour: White / Yellow

White (I-WHITE), yellow upper / white lower (II-YELLOW, III-YELLOW). Trefoil symbol.

  • ▸Label category based on Transport Index (TI) and surface dose rate
  • ▸Category I-WHITE: TI = 0, surface ≤ 0.005 mSv/h
  • ▸Category II-YELLOW: TI ≤ 1, surface ≤ 0.5 mSv/h
  • ▸Category III-YELLOW: TI ≤ 10, surface ≤ 2 mSv/h
  • ▸FISSILE label required additionally for fissile material
Class 8Corrosive Substances
Label colour: White / Black

Upper half white, lower half black. Liquids pouring from test tubes onto hand and metal.

  • ▸Causes visible destruction or irreversible damage to skin within observation period
  • ▸Steel/aluminium corrosion rate criteria also apply
  • ▸Subsidiary labels (3, 5.1, 6.1) required where applicable
Class 9Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
Label colour: White with black stripes

White upper half with 7 vertical black stripes, white lower half. Class 9 numeral.

  • ▸Includes lithium batteries (UN 3090/3091/3480/3481)
  • ▸Environmentally hazardous substances (marine pollutant mark may also apply)
  • ▸Magnetized material (UN 2807), dry ice (UN 1845), vehicles, engines

Subsidiary Hazard Labels (DGR 7.3)

When is a Subsidiary Hazard Label Required?

If DGR Table 4.2 shows a subsidiary risk in the 'Label(s)' column (e.g. '3 + 8'), the package must bear both the primary hazard label (Class 3) and the subsidiary hazard label (Class 8). The subsidiary label is identical in design to the primary label but must NOT contain the class number in the bottom corner.

Multiple Subsidiary Labels

Some entries have two subsidiary risks (e.g. '6.1 + 3 + 8'). All applicable labels must be displayed. They should be placed adjacent to each other, on the same surface as the primary label, and must not overlap.

Label Placement Rules

All labels must be on the same surface of the package, near the UN number and proper shipping name. Minimum label size is 100 x 100 mm (diamond point-to-point). For small cylinders (diameter ≤60 mm), labels may be reduced to 30 x 30 mm.

Durability and Visibility

Labels must be weather-resistant, non-smudging, and securely affixed. They must remain legible after 3 months of exposure to open weather conditions. Faded or damaged labels must be replaced before the next flight segment.

Special Labels & Marks (DGR 7.4)

Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO) Label

DGR 7.4.2

Bright orange label (120 mm x 110 mm minimum) bearing the words 'CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY'. Required when the substance/article is forbidden on passenger aircraft or the quantity exceeds PAX limits.

  • DGR Table 4.2 column 'PAX' shows 'Forbidden' for the substance
  • Net quantity per package exceeds the passenger aircraft limit
  • Shipper elects to ship on cargo aircraft only
  • Must be affixed adjacent to the hazard label(s)

Orientation Arrows

DGR 7.4.4

Black or red arrows on white or contrasting background, placed on two opposite vertical sides. Indicate the correct upright position for liquid-containing combination packages.

  • Combination packages containing inner packagings of liquids
  • Single packagings fitted with vents
  • Cryogenic receptacles (refrigerated liquefied gases)
  • Exempt: single sealed inner packaging ≤120 mL, UN specification packagings with orientation built in

Lithium Battery Handling Mark

DGR 7.1.5.5

White rectangle with red hatched border (min 120 x 110 mm, reducible to 100 x 70 mm for small packages). Contains the lithium battery symbol, applicable UN number(s), and an emergency telephone number.

  • Required for lithium battery Section II shipments (PI 966–970 Section II)
  • Must list all applicable UN numbers (3090, 3091, 3480, 3481)
  • Emergency telephone number of the shipper mandatory
  • Not required for Section IA/IB (full DGR documentation applies instead)

Limited Quantity Mark (Y-mark)

DGR 7.1.1

Diamond shape with 'Y' letter, indicating the package qualifies for limited quantity provisions. Allows certain exemptions from full DGR requirements.

  • Inner packaging quantities within Y-PI limits (e.g. Y341, Y344)
  • Gross weight per package must not exceed 30 kg
  • Limited quantity PI must not show 'Forbidden'
  • Y-mark replaces standard hazard labels on the outer package

Excepted Quantity Mark (EQ)

DGR 7.1.2

Diamond mark bearing the class/division number(s) and 'EQ' text. For very small quantities (E1–E5 codes) that are excepted from most DGR requirements.

  • EQ code must be E1–E5 (E0 means excepted quantity is not permitted)
  • Inner packaging limits: 1 mL/1 g (E1) to 5 mL/5 g (E5)
  • Outer packaging limit: 300 mL/300 g maximum
  • Primary and subsidiary class numbers must appear on the mark

Overpack Marking

DGR 7.1.7

The word 'OVERPACK' in letters at least 12 mm high, applied when multiple packages are assembled in a single unit for handling convenience.

  • All marks and labels on inner packages must be visible or reproduced on the overpack
  • Each UN number and proper shipping name within must be indicated
  • Applies to shrink-wrapped pallets, crates, or boxes containing DG packages
  • 'OVERPACK' marking not required if all inner markings/labels are clearly visible

References

  • • IATA DGR 67th Ed. Section 7.2 — Hazard Labels
  • • IATA DGR 67th Ed. Section 7.3 — Subsidiary Hazard Labels
  • • IATA DGR 67th Ed. Section 7.4 — Special Labels and Marks
  • • ICAO Technical Instructions Doc 9284-AN/905 Part 5 Chapter 3
  • • UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods — Model Regulations Rev. 23