TDG markings and warning labels
The TDG transport classes and markings are determined on the basis of international and national transport regulations. Each transport class has its own warning labels and large vehicle labels. Table A of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road provides a list of dangerous goods in UN number order as well as the corresponding warning labels. As the page does not include all of the regulations pertaining to markings and warning labels, you should check the regulations applicable to the good or item that you are transporting in the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road.
For examples of warning labels applicable to the transport of dangerous goods, also see the packing and marking examples.
TDG warning labels and large labels
The warning labels used for the transport of dangerous goods are not the same as the warning labels in the CLP regulation or the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures regulation. A CLP warning sign that is not required by the transport regulations should only be displayed on the shipment as part of a whole CLP warning label, not as a standalone sign.
Pictures of TDG warning labels and CLP warning signs:
Flammable liquid TDG warning labels:
Flammable liquid CLP warning sign:
For the regulations pertaining to markings and warning labels, see the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and the ADR agreement, section 5.2. For the regulations applicable to large labels and markings on, e.g. containers, tanks or vehicles, see section 5.3.
You can familiarise yourself with the labels of different hazard classes on our transport class page, which provides more information on different hazard classes and the corresponding labels. For the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), go to the UNECE website.
Warning labels
The shape of a warning label must comply with the template below (figure 5.2.2.1.1 in the regulation).
* The bottom part of the label should contain the class number, i.e. 4 for class 4.1, 4.2 & 4.3 labels, and 6 for class 6.1 & 6.2 labels.
** This lower part of the label must (if required) or may (if allowed) contain additional text/numbers/symbol/letters.
*** The top part of the label must contain the symbol of the substance class, or the hazard class number for the class 1 substances of hazard classes 1.4, 1.5 & 1.6, and the word “FISSILE” for no: 7E warning label.
The warning label must be a square in a 45° angle (a square standing on its point). The minimum size is 100 mm x 100 mm. The outer edge should contain a line approximately 5 mm from the edge of the label. At the top of the label, the line should be the same colour as the symbol on the label. At the bottom, the line should be the same colour as the number in the bottom corner. If the size of the label is not specifically determined elsewhere in the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, the size must correspond with the dimensions depicted in the figure.
Large labels
The large labels used in containers, MEG containers, tank containers and UN containers are larger in size than the warning labels used in packages. This ensures sufficient visibility in use, also in accident situations. With the exception of the class 7 large label and the warning label for environmentally hazardous substances described elsewhere in the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, large labels shall comply with the template below (figure 5.3.1.7.1 in the regulation).
The large label must be a square in a 45° angle (a square standing on its point). The minimum size is 250 mm x 250 mm (border of the large label). The outer edge should contain a line 12.5 mm from the edge of the label. The symbol, dimensions and colours of the large label should be in accordance with the warning label template determined for each hazard class. The number and letter symbols used in the large label should be at least 25 mm high.
Other markings
In addition to class-specific warning labels, there are other markings that are required for the transport of dangerous goods. Below are a few examples of them.
UN number
The UN numbers of the dangerous substances must be clearly marked with a permanent marker on the package. The numbers and the letters ‘UN’ should be at least 12 mm high. However, as an exception, the numbers and letters may be at least 6 mm high in packages with a maximum capacity of 30 L or a maximum nett mass of 30 kg and gas cylinders with a maximum capacity of 60 L, or they may be of an appropriate size in maximum 5 L or 5 kg packages. In the case of unpacked items, the marking must be made on the item, its frame or the handling or storage equipment or the trigger device.
Battery mark
In accordance with special regulation 188 or 400 of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, transported packages containing lithium cells or batteries must be marked with a mark as per the template below (figure 5.2.1.9.2 in the regulation).
* Add the UN number(s) here
Warning label for environmentally hazardous substances
Packages containing environmentally hazardous substances that meet the criteria in accordance with the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, section 2.2.9.1.10, must be marked with a warning label for environmentally hazardous substances, excluding individual packagings or combination packagings where the internal package of the individual packaging or combination packaging contains a maximum of 5 L of liquid or solids with a maximum net mass of 5 kg.
The warning label for environmentally hazardous substances follows the template below (figure 5.2.1.8.3 in the regulation).
Limited Quantity (LQ) mark
In accordance with the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, the marking on a package containing a limited quantity (LQ) of dangerous substances must correspond with the mark in figure 3.4.7.1.
The LQ mark is special in the sense that the marking does not provide any further information regarding the hazard class of the substance contained by the package. Nonetheless, it is possible to conclude on the basis of the marking that the substance is packed in smaller internal packagings with a maximum size of 1–5 L, depending on the substance. The maximum total gross mass of the package is 20 kg or 30 kg, depending. Packing a limited quantity is not permitted for all substances.
Maximum permitted stacking load of IBC packaging
In accordance with the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Regulation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, the maximum permitted stacking load of the IBC packaging plus an ID in accordance with the template below (figures 6.5.2.2.2.1 & 6.5.2.2.2.2 in the regulation) must be marked on the IBC packaging.
