What is a dangerous good?

Defining a dangerous good

In general terms a substance or article is a dangerous good if it is listed in the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code.

The Australian Dangerous Goods Code, 7th Edition (ADG Code), available from the National Transport Commission.

A substance or article is a dangerous good for the purposes of the r. 4 of the Dangerous Goods Safety (General) Regulations 2007 if it is listed in the ADG Code and is within any of the following classes or divisions:

  • Class 1 (explosives)
  • Class 2 (gases)
  • Class 3 (flammable liquids)
  • Class 4 (flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, on contact with water emit flammable gases)
  • Class 5 (oxidizing substances and organic peroxides);
  • Division 6.1 (toxic substances)
  • Class 8 (corrosive substances)
  • Class 9 (miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles)
  • or is:
    • named or described in Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Goods Safety (Storage and Handling of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007
    • sulphur in any form
    • determined to be a dangerous good by the department’s Chief Officer in accordance with r. 12A of the Dangerous Goods Safety (Storage and Handling of Non-explosive) Regulations 2007.

What is not a dangerous good?

The following substances are not dangerous goods for the purposes of the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004:

  • Division 6.2 (infectious substances)
  • Class 7 (radioactive material)
  • Substances not subject to the ADG Code because of a special provision.