Analyze an SDS

DOT Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials

DOT Class 9 covers miscellaneous hazardous materials: materials that present a hazard during transportation but are not covered by any other hazard class. Lithium batteries, dry ice and environmentally hazardous substances are the most common examples.

How it is defined

  • Class 9 is a catch-all for hazards such as fire from lithium batteries, asphyxiation from dry ice, or harm to the aquatic environment.
  • Packing groups apply to some Class 9 entries only.
  • Hazardous substances and hazardous wastes shipped under U.S. rules, and marine pollutants, may be regulated through Class 9 entries.

Summary of 49 CFR Parts 171 to 180. The regulations and the Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101) control any shipment.

Label and placard

Colors
White background, seven black vertical stripes in the upper half
Symbol
Stripes over an underlined 9

A white diamond with black vertical stripes on the top half and the number 9 underlined. Under 49 CFR 172.504(f)(9), a CLASS 9 placard is not required for domestic transportation, but bulk packagings must still display the identification number (on a Class 9 placard, an orange panel or a white square-on-point display).

Packing groups

Some entries have PG II or III; many have none. How packing groups work.

Common examples

  • Lithium ion and lithium metal batteries
  • Dry ice (solid carbon dioxide)
  • Environmentally hazardous substances (liquid or solid, n.o.s.)
  • Asbestos
  • Polymeric beads that evolve flammable vapor

How it relates to GHS

Class 9 has no single GHS counterpart. Environmentally hazardous substances correspond to GHS aquatic toxicity classes (environment pictogram GHS09).

DOT classes and GHS classes are assigned under different rules, so a product can have different severity labels in each. See also all GHS hazard classes.

Safe handling reminders

  • Follow battery shipping rules for lithium batteries, including state-of-charge and damaged battery provisions.
  • Ventilate where dry ice is used or stored.
  • Review marine pollutant markings for container shipments.

Where to find it on an SDS

Section 14 shows Class 9, a UN number such as UN3480 (lithium ion batteries), UN1845 (dry ice) or UN3082 (environmentally hazardous substance, liquid), and a packing group where applicable. Look in Section 14: Transport information. Hazard classification for the workplace is in Section 2. You can also see how a UN number points to a response guide on the UN and NA numbers page.

Frequently asked questions

Is dry ice a DOT hazardous material?

Yes. Dry ice is regulated as Class 9 because it can displace oxygen and the package can rupture if gas cannot vent.

General reference only. It does not replace the supplier's SDS or the current federal regulations.