Think You Know Your Dangerous Goods Acronyms? Take the Test!
Step into the world of chemicals and hazardous goods, and you’ll quickly encounter an alphabet soup of three-letter acronyms. If you’ve ever prepared a safety data sheet or transport document, you’ve probably seen way more than your fair share.
How well do you really know them? Test yourself – just cover the second column and see how you go…
1–5 = Time waster
5–10 = Novice
10–20 = Not bad going
30+ = You must be a DGSA!
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| Acronym | Meaning | What is it? |
|---|---|---|
| ACL | Approved Carriage List | Official list of substances approved for road/rail transport |
| ASL | Approved Supply List (let’s see how old you are with this one!) | Old CHIP chemical classification list |
| ADN* | European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways | Inland waterways equivalent of ADR |
| ADR* | European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road | Governs international road transport of dangerous goods |
| BPC | Biocidal Products Committee | Advisory body on biocidal substances |
| CAO | Cargo Aircraft Only | Marking for air shipments restricted to cargo planes |
| CAS | Chemical Abstracts Service | Assigns unique identifiers to chemicals |
| CCC | IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers | Develops maritime DG rules |
| CDG | Carriage of Dangerous Goods | UK implementation of ADR/RID |
| CIM* | Contract for International Carriage of Goods by Rail | Standard contract governing international rail transport of goods |
| CLH | Classification & Labelling (Harmonised) | EU-wide harmonised hazard classification |
| CLP | Classification, Labelling & Packaging | Core EU regulation for chemical classification |
| CMR | Carcinogenic, Mutagenic & Reproductive toxins | High-hazard substance category |
| DGR | Dangerous Goods Regulations | Often refers to IATA rules for air transport |
| EAC | Emergency Action Code | Used by emergency responders in the UK |
| ECHA | European Chemicals Agency | Administers REACH and CLP regulations |
| EHS | Environmentally Hazardous Substances | Harmful to the natural environment/aquatic ecosystems |
| EUH | EU Hazard Statement | Specific hazard wording under CLP |
| GHS | Globally Harmonised System (of Classification & Labelling of Chemicals) | Worldwide standard for chemical classification & labelling |
| HIN | Hazard Identification Number | 2–3 digit numbers on ADR panels |
| HSE | Health & Safety Executive | UK regulator for workplace and DG safety |
| IBC | Intermediate Bulk Container | Large, reusable, industrial-grade bulk containers |
| IMO | International Maritime Organization | Governs IMDG Code for sea transport |
| NOS | Not Otherwise Specified | Used when a substance doesn’t fit a named entry |
| ONR | Office for Nuclear Regulation | UK body regulating nuclear materials |
| PBT | Persistent, Bio-accumulative and Toxic | Environmental hazard classification |
| PPE | Personal Protective Equipment | Gear for chemical handling |
| PSN | Proper Shipping Name | Standardised name for transportation purposes. |
| RID* | Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail | Dangerous Goods regulations for Rail |
| SDS | Safety Data Sheet | Core document for handling and transport |
| TDG | Transport of Dangerous Goods | Alternative term for DG regulations |
| TDW | Tactile Warning of Danger | Raised triangle for visually impaired |
| VOC | Volatile Organic Compound | Gases from solids or liquids that can impact health |
*Bonus Points
If you’re a smarty-pants you get a bonus point each for knowing the full official terms for these:
-
ADN: Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises dangereuses par voies de Navigation intérieures
(European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways) - ADR: Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises dangereuses par route
(European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road)
- CIM: Convention Internationale concernant le Marchandises
(Contract of International Carriage of Goods by Rail)
- RID: Règlement concernant le transport international ferroviaire des marchandises Dangereuses
(Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail)
So, how many did you know? More than 30? Congratulations—you’re practically a DGSA! (or you really are one).
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Hibiscus Plc has been providing labelling solutions for the chemical and hazardous goods industries for over 40 years.
If you have any labelling, or GHS/CLP compliance issues you wish to discuss, just call us on: 0113 242 4272
Contact us for further information at: enquiries@hibiscus-plc.com
