We regret to say that we still sometimes finding inadequacies when it comes to the labelling of hazardous goods. Since the monitoring authorities in Germany and elsewhere are continuing to make greater checks on the labelling of transport units containing hazardous goods, please make sure when labelling transport units containing hazardous goods that the dimensions of the placards and labels or orange boards conform to the requirements of chapters 3.4.13, 5.3.1.7.1, 5.3.2.2.3 and 5.3.3 of ADR / RID / IMDG. In other words, the form, colour and text must conform to the requirements set out in the hazardous goods regulations.

Some negative examples from the recent past are shown below.

 
On orange boards, the line thicknesses must meet the requirements and the numbers must be clearly identifiable:
 


All labels must be affixed in weatherproof form so that they do not come loose in moisture or frost. Particular attention must be paid to the stickers, however, as the ones here are difficult to identify:
 


Placards made of paper are increasingly being seen. However, these do not stick to the transport unit for very long:
 

 
Lashing straps should not obscure any numbers:
 


When ordering or making your own placards, you must ensure that they comply with regulations. Here, for instance, the lines are missing:
                                                            
  

In the same way, there must be no sign of damage on the labels:
     
 
 
This is what a hazardous goods label that conforms to the requirements of the hazardous goods regulations looks like:
 


Invalid markings must be covered or removed (5.3.1.1.5, 5.3.2.1.8 ADR / RID).

Correct:
 


Incorrect:
      
 


Questions about the labelling of hazardous goods can be answered by:
Kombiverkehr, Manager Hazardous Goods & Waste Transports, Ullrich Lück
Phone +49 40/74 05 19 60 or ulueck@kombiverkehr-gefahrgut.de