SDS section 14 of 16
SDS Section 14: Transport information
Section 14 gives the information needed to ship the product: the UN number, the proper shipping name, the transport hazard class, the packing group and any environmental hazards, often separately for road, sea and air. OSHA does not enforce its content because transport is regulated by transport authorities, such as the US Department of Transportation, the IMO and ICAO/IATA.
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What OSHA requires in Section 14
OSHA includes the Section 14 heading in the 16-section format but does not enforce its content, because other agencies regulate this information. Other regimes, such as the GHS and the EU, still expect it.
Section 14 is among the sections whose content OSHA does not enforce; Appendix D describes it as not mandatory and lists the customary content:
- UN number (four digits, for example the number that appears on a placard or package).
- UN proper shipping name.
- Transport hazard class(es), and any subsidiary risk.
- Packing group, where applicable (I high danger, II medium, III low).
- Environmental hazards, for example marine pollutant.
- Transport in bulk under the IMO instruments (MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code), where relevant.
- Special precautions that a user needs to know about or comply with in connection with transport.
The binding rules are in the transport regulations, for example 49 CFR Parts 171 to 180 in the US (see the DOT HMR page), and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and IMDG Code internationally (see IATA DGR and IMDG).
GHS Annex 4 and international differences
GHS Annex 4 calls for the same fields, taken from the UN Model Regulations, as basic classification information for transport by road, rail, sea or air, and asks the preparer to state where information is not available or not relevant. A substance or mixture classified for health or environmental hazards under the GHS is not necessarily regulated as dangerous goods for transport, and vice versa, because the transport rules apply their own criteria, quantity limits and exemptions.
That is a major source of confusion: a product can carry a GHS pictogram yet be shipped without a placard, because the transport rules exempt it, or a limited quantity exemption applies. Learn the transport classes on the DOT hazard class page.
What to look for and red flags
What to look for
- A separate line for each mode: road/rail (DOT or ADR/RID), sea (IMDG), air (IATA/ICAO).
- "Not regulated" statements. They apply to the product as specified; check whether quantity or concentration limits apply.
- UN number consistency with the proper shipping name and class.
- Packing group and any limited-quantity or excepted-quantity provisions.
- Special provisions and environmental hazard marks.
Red flags
- A UN number that does not match the proper shipping name.
- "Not regulated" for a product Section 2 describes as flammable or toxic, without a stated exemption reason.
- Transport data for only one mode when you ship by another.
- An old revision date. Transport regulations are revised periodically.
Worked example: typical fields
An illustrative layout. The UN number and class for real substances appear on chemical pages when public data is available, such as the transport section of the methanol page.
- UN number
- Four digits
- Proper shipping name
- Exact wording from the regulations, possibly with technical names
- Hazard class / subsidiary risk
- Primary class, any subsidiary class
- Packing group
- I, II or III, or not applicable
- Environmental hazards
- Marine pollutant: yes or no
- Special precautions
- Limited quantity or special provision notes
See how this looks on a real page: methanol safety data, transport information section. Every chemical page uses these 16 sections with the same anchors, so you can compare any substance.
Common mistakes
- Shipping from the SDS alone. Shipping dangerous goods requires trained and certified personnel and compliance with the current regulations, not just copying Section 14.
- Relying on a stale sheet. Transport regulations change; the sheet's date matters.
- Assuming GHS class equals DOT class. They are separate systems with different categories.
- Ignoring air or sea rules. Air and sea shipments often have stricter requirements and different packaging rules.
- Forgetting emergency contact requirements. Shipping papers need a 24-hour emergency response number in many regimes. CHEMTREC (1-800-424-9300) is one US service used for transport emergencies, subject to contracts with the shipper.
Frequently asked questions
What is in Section 14 of an SDS?
Section 14 lists transport information: UN number, UN proper shipping name, transport hazard class, packing group, environmental hazards and special precautions, often separated by road, sea and air.
Does OSHA enforce Section 14?
No. OSHA lists the heading but does not enforce its content, because transport is regulated by transport authorities. In the US the Department of Transportation regulates hazardous materials shipments.
Why does the SDS say 'not regulated' for transport when the product is flammable?
Transport rules use their own criteria, quantity thresholds and exemptions. A product can be classified as hazardous under GHS but fall outside dangerous goods regulations in certain quantities or packagings.
Who do I call in a transport emergency?
Call your local emergency number first. In the US, CHEMTREC (1-800-424-9300) is a 24-hour emergency information service for chemical transportation incidents.