Free IMDG Code Introduction - 40 20

An Introduction to the IMDG Code
Welcome to this free

introduction to the IMDG Code
from Exis Technologies.
This provides a brief overview

of the provisions contained in
the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods (IMDG)
Code.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
© Exis Technologies 2018
What is the IMDG Code?
The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

contains provisions for the safe carriage of dangerous
goods by sea.
The key objectives are to:
• protect human life
• prevent marine pollution
• facilitate the free movement of

dangerous goods.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
What is the IMDG Code?
The International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The IMDG Code is produced by the International Maritime
Organization (IMO), a specialist United Nations (UN) agency
responsible for developing and maintaining regulatory frameworks
for sea transport.
The Code’s provisions are based on recommendations developed

by the UN and published in ‘Recommendations on the Transport of
Dangerous Goods’. These regulations provide a uniform framework
of rules for the safe transport of dangerous goods by all modes –
air, road and rail as well as sea.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
What are dangerous goods?
What are dangerous goods and why are they useful?

Dangerous goods are substances or articles which can pose a
threat to people, property and/or the environment.
They can exist in three physical states – as a solid, liquid or gas –

and can present a range of dangers in a transport environment –
flammability, toxicity (poisonous) and corrosivity being the most
common.
The physical state and properties affect packing, handling and

transport decisions.
Many dangerous goods are essential in the manufacture of other

products such as cars, plastics, electronics and pharmaceuticals
on which progress and world trade depend.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Different types of dangerous goods
For transport purposes, dangerous goods are allocated to one of nine

‘classes’, according to the main danger they present. These are as
follows:
Class 1 - Explosives
Class 2 - Gases
Class 3 - Flammable liquids
Class 4 - Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion;
substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5 - Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
Class 6 - Toxic and infectious substances
Class 7 - Radioactive material
Class 8 - Corrosive substances
Class 9 - Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles (Class 9) and
environmentally hazardous substances
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Different types of dangerous goods
Many of the classes are sub-divided. For example, toxic substances

are allocated to Class 6.1; infectious substances are allocated to
class 6.2.
Substances or articles are classified as ‘dangerous goods’ for sea

shipment if they meet the classification criteria prescribed in the
IMDG Code for any of these classes.
The danger(s) presented by a particular substance or article

determine the safe transport procedures for it e.g. the way it needs to
be packed, whether it can be loaded in the same freight container as
other dangerous goods, where it needs to be stored within the port or
stowed on board the ship.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Identifying Dangerous Goods
Each class has a unique diamond label used to identify danger in

transport.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
All dangerous goods are uniquely identified for transport by UN

Numbers and Proper Shipping Names (PSNs).
The UN Number and PSN facilitate rapid and precise identification

during transport to ensure correct handling, stowage, segregation
etc., and appropriate actions in an emergency.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
In the example below we can see that ‘Kerosene’ is classified as a

flammable liquid (class 3); ‘KEROSENE’ is the recognised PSN; the
UN Number for it is UN 1223.
This screenshot is taken from Hazcheck Online, a web-based system

for checking stowage, segregation and packaging, and producing a
Dangerous Goods Note. Contact [email protected] for a free one
month trial.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Application of the IMDG Code
The IMDG Code’s requirements apply to all ships which are subject to
the following two conventions:
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974

(SOLAS 1974) – this covers the safety implications of dangerous
goods onboard ships; and
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from

Ships (MARPOL) – which covers the pollution aspects for ships
carrying dangerous goods
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
The IMDG Code amplifies the relevant safety and pollution

prevention provisions of these Conventions.
Most of the requirements in the IMDG Code apply on a

mandatory basis but there are a few provisions which are
recommendatory.
The IMDG Code is applied automatically by the governments of

all the States which are members of SOLAS, and has a
worldwide application to the movement of dangerous goods by
sea.
While some SOLAS Member Governments incorporate the

requirements of the IMDG Code without amendment into their
national legislation, others apply some different and/or
additional (usually more stringent) national requirements.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Other international and national modal regulations also exist. For

example, in many countries dangerous goods transport by road
transport is covered under ADR. Compliance with these is required, as
appropriate; they may recognise all or part of the provisions of the
IMDG Code.
When shipping dangerous goods, it is also important to be aware of

any further restrictions or requirements which may apply in a particular
country or port.
www.existec.com
Additionally, competent authorities may authorise, approve or grant
www.existec.com
exemptions from particular requirements of the IMDG Code.
Overview of the IMDG Code
The IMDG Code requires certain provisions to be followed whenever

dangerous goods are shipped by sea.
These provisions require that dangerous goods are correctly and safely:
• Classified and identified
• Packed
• Marked, labelled and placarded
• Documented
• Stowed on board the vessel
• Segregated from other goods with which they may react dangerously
In addition appropriate emergency response information must be

available and security and training requirements must be followed
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Layout of the IMDG Code
The IMDG Code comprises 7 parts, presented in two volumes –

Volume 1 and Volume 2.
Both volumes must be used to obtain the required information and

instructions when dangerous goods are shipped by sea.
There is also a Supplement which provides additional guidance.
The IMDG Code is available in printed book, E-reader, Web

and Intranet formats.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Volume 1 contains most of the detailed instructions for safely

preparing and transporting dangerous goods by sea:
• Part 1: General Provisions, Definitions, Training, Security and

Radioactive Material Transport
• Part 2: Classification
• Part 4: Packing and Tank Provisions
• Part 5: Consignment Procedures
• Part 6: Construction and Testing of Packagings, Intermediate
Bulk Containers (IBCs), Large Packagings, Portable Tanks,
Multiple Element Gas Containers (MEGCs) and Road Tank
Vehicles
• Part 7: Provisions Concerning Transport Operations
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Volume 2 contains:
• Part 3: Dangerous Goods List (DGL), Special Provisions and

Exceptions (Limited and Excepted Quantities)
• Appendix A: List of Generic and N.O.S. Proper Shipping
Names
• Appendix B: Glossary of terms
• Alphabetical Index: An alphabetical index of Proper Shipping
Names, synonyms and other names
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Dangerous Goods List (DGL)
In the IMDG Code, most of the decisions on safe shipping and

transport procedures stem from the use of the DGL located in
Volume 2.
The DGL is an index of substances and articles, arranged in UN

Number order. It comprises 18 columns of information for each listed
substance/article, presented as a two page spread in the printed
books. Much of the information is in a coded form to make it easier to
present in a table.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Dangerous Goods List (DGL)
The meaning and implications of these codes are explained in the

relevant chapters and sections of Volumes 1 and 2, an initial point of
reference being provided at the head of each column.
For example, column 16b provides ‘SG’ segregation codes the

meaning of which can be found in 7.2.8.
Decisions on packing arrangements, marking and labelling

requirements, documentation entries, stowage, segregation and other
shipping and transport duties generally stem from the columns of the
DGL.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Alphabetical Index
At the end of Volume 2 of the IMDG Code, there is an alphabetical

index of substances/articles.
This can be used as the initial point of reference when the name of
the substance rather than the UN Number is known.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Layout of the IMDG Code Supplement
The IMDG Code Supplement contains the following sections related

to the Code.
• Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous

Goods;
• Medical First Aid Guide;
• Reporting Procedures;
• Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships, in CTUs and cargo holds;
• International Code for the Carriage of Packaged Irradiated
Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-level Radioactive Wastes on
board ships.
• An appendix of relevant IMO Resolutions and Circulars
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Updating the IMDG Code
The IMDG Code is an international regulation that is updated every

two years to reflect biennial revisions in the UN Recommendations
on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Model Regulations). Each
Amendment is valid for up to three years
These changes reflect:
• the inclusion of newly classified dangerous substances/articles,
amendments to or deletions of existing entries;
• new technology and new methods of handling dangerous goods;
• safety concerns which arise as a result of human experience; and
• new materials and designs for packaging
Although the Code is updated every two years, in general, the basic
principles remain constant and once you have understood them, you
will be able to look up information in future versions of the IMDG
Code.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Amendment cycle of the IMDG Code
New Amendments can be used from 1 January of odd numbered

years (shown in yellow) subject to the timing of National Competent
Authority adoption. During even numbered years (shown in green)
only the current Amendment can be used
The years before an Amendment comes into force on a mandatory
basis are known as transition years (shown in yellow) when either
the current or newly published Amendment may be used.
Note: The enforcement date for Amendment 40-20 is 1 June 2022 due to
delays encountered finalizing this Amendment during the Covid-19
pandemic. Amendment 39-18 may be used until the end of May 2022.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Training requirements for shore side staff
The successful application of dangerous goods transport regulations

is greatly dependent on all persons concerned appreciating the risks
involved and having an appropriate understanding of the
requirements.
This can only be achieved by properly

planned and maintained training and
retraining programmes for all relevant
personnel.
Chapter 1.3 of the IMDG Code deals

with the training of shore-side staff.
The training requirements for shore-side personnel are

MANDATORY
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Training requirements for shore side staff
Personnel engaged with the transport of dangerous goods by sea

must be trained according to their role and responsibilities. Staff
directly involved in dangerous goods operations must have function
specific training while general awareness training is required for
those who although not directly involved, do require a familiarisation
with the IMDG Code.
Companies must determine which personnel need to be trained, the

level of training required and appropriate methods for conducting the
training.
Exis Technologies developed IMDG Code e-learning in collaboration

with the International Maritime Organization to meet the challenge of
training large numbers of shore side staff to the IMDG Code
requirements.
www.existec.com
www.existec.com
Compliance solutions from Exis Technologies
Hazcheck Systems
Compliance tools for the automatic validation of dangerous goods shipments.
The tools are available for all sectors involved in the transport of dangerous
goods by sea, from shippers to deep sea container lines. Free trials available
www.hazcheck.com
IMDG Code e-learning

Online training for shore side staff involved in the transport of dangerous
goods by sea. Used by shippers, ferry operators, port operators, freight
forwarders and 6 of the top 10 container lines to train staff worldwide. Free
trial available www.imdge-learning.com
CTUpack e-learning
Introduction to CTU Code course - online training for safe handling and
packing of CTUs www.ctupack.com
Tank Container e-learning

An online tank container course developed by the International Tank
Container Organisation (ITCO) to further enhance the safe, competent and
www.existec.com efficient use of tank containers. www.tankcontainer-elearning.com
www.existec.com

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An Introduction to the IMDG Code

Welcome to this free

This provides a brief overview

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code

The key objectives are to:

• protect human life

• prevent marine pollution

• facilitate the free movement of

The International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The Code’s provisions are based on recommendations developed

What are dangerous goods and why are they useful?

They can exist in three physical states – as a solid, liquid or gas –

The physical state and properties affect packing, handling and

Many dangerous goods are essential in the manufacture of other

For transport purposes, dangerous goods are allocated to one of nine

Many of the classes are sub-divided. For example, toxic substances

Substances or articles are classified as ‘dangerous goods’ for sea

The danger(s) presented by a particular substance or article

Each class has a unique diamond label used to identify danger in

All dangerous goods are uniquely identified for transport by UN

The UN Number and PSN facilitate rapid and precise identification

In the example below we can see that ‘Kerosene’ is classified as a

This screenshot is taken from Hazcheck Online, a web-based system

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from

The IMDG Code amplifies the relevant safety and pollution

Most of the requirements in the IMDG Code apply on a

The IMDG Code is applied automatically by the governments of

While some SOLAS Member Governments incorporate the

Other international and national modal regulations also exist. For

When shipping dangerous goods, it is also important to be aware of

The IMDG Code requires certain provisions to be followed whenever

In addition appropriate emergency response information must be

The IMDG Code comprises 7 parts, presented in two volumes –

Both volumes must be used to obtain the required information and

There is also a Supplement which provides additional guidance.

The IMDG Code is available in printed book, E-reader, Web

Volume 1 contains most of the detailed instructions for safely

• Part 1: General Provisions, Definitions, Training, Security and

• Part 3: Dangerous Goods List (DGL), Special Provisions and

In the IMDG Code, most of the decisions on safe shipping and

The DGL is an index of substances and articles, arranged in UN

The meaning and implications of these codes are explained in the

For example, column 16b provides ‘SG’ segregation codes the

Decisions on packing arrangements, marking and labelling

At the end of Volume 2 of the IMDG Code, there is an alphabetical

The IMDG Code Supplement contains the following sections related

• Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous

The IMDG Code is an international regulation that is updated every

New Amendments can be used from 1 January of odd numbered

The successful application of dangerous goods transport regulations

This can only be achieved by properly

Chapter 1.3 of the IMDG Code deals

The training requirements for shore-side personnel are

Personnel engaged with the transport of dangerous goods by sea

Companies must determine which personnel need to be trained, the

Exis Technologies developed IMDG Code e-learning in collaboration

IMDG Code e-learning