Proper Shipping Name Selection (PSN)
IATA DGR 67th Ed. Section 4.1 — Proper Shipping Name (PSN) determination rules. Correctly identifying each dangerous goods item with its PSN is the foundation for transport documentation, labelling, and acceptance procedures.
4.1.1 General
Dangerous goods must be identified on transport documents and packages by their Proper Shipping Name (PSN). The PSN is shown in UPPER CASE in Column B of Table 4.2 (Dangerous Goods List).
The PSN may be translated into languages other than English, but the English PSN must always appear on documents and packages.
4.1.2 PSN Categories
Single Entry
UN 1203 GASOLINE
Specific name written in UPPER CASE in Table 4.2.
Generic Entry
UN 1993 FLAMMABLE LIQUID, N.O.S.
Class-based general description for substances without a specific name.
N.O.S. Entry
UN 1992 FLAMMABLE LIQUID, TOXIC, N.O.S.
Multiple hazard or specific composition — technical name must be added.
Specific N.O.S. Entry
UN 2810 TOXIC LIQUID, ORGANIC, N.O.S.
N.O.S. narrowed by organic/inorganic distinction or physical state.
4.1.3 PSN Selection Hierarchy
- 1
Determine the correct technical name or composition
Search for the chemical or technical description of the substance in Table 4.2 (Dangerous Goods List) in UPPER CASE.
- 2
Search for a specific entry
If the substance is listed by name, use that entry's PSN. If multiple matches exist, prefer the most specific one.
- 3
If the UN number is known
If the UN/ID number is known, use the Subsection 4.3 cross-reference table to find the proper shipping name.
- 4
No specific entry → use n.o.s. or generic entry
If the substance is not listed by name, select the most appropriate 'n.o.s.' (not otherwise specified) or 'generic' entry from Table 4.1.A (Section 4.1.2.2).
- 5
Class/division undetermined → classify first
Use the precedence table in Subsection 3.10 to determine the primary hazard, then select the relevant class n.o.s. entry.
4.1.4 Technical Name
For n.o.s. entries and generic entries, a technical name must be added in parentheses after the PSN:
FLAMMABLE LIQUID, N.O.S. (Ethanol, Methanol)
Technical name requirements:
- A chemically recognized name (not a trade name)
- For mixtures, at least two components (the most hazardous) — e.g. "contains Acetone, Toluene"
- For biological substances, the scientific name (e.g. "Salmonella enterica")
- SP 274 and SP 318 may define additional requirements
4.1.5 PSN Formatting Rules
- The UPPER CASE portion in Table 4.2 IS the PSN — lower case supplementary text is NOT part of the PSN
- The PSN must be written in English (local language may be added additionally)
- Abbreviations may not be used (e.g. "FLAMM. LIQ." must be written in full)
- If multiple PSN entries match, the most specific one must be selected
- Alternative names separated by "or" are equivalent PSNs
Source: IATA DGR 67th Ed. Section 4.1 (p.209-229, PNG 0241-0261). KB chunks: S4.1 section.