1. Classification and identification of materials

1.1 Classification

Hazardous materials are substances which, either by their chemical properties or those of their components, or by the nature of the physical reactions they are liable to set in motion, present a risk to man or his environment. Alphabetical nomenclatures, which are not exhaustive, complete the agreements or regulations governing the transport of hazardous materials, and enable these materials to be identified.

With reference to the Recommendations of the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Model Regulations) (19th revised edition), dangerous goods are listed in classes of substances numbered from 1 to 9. In French land transport, and even in European land transport, for which certain risk subdivisions...