Class 3: Flammable liquids

Class 3 hazard labels are used to identify flammable liquids classified as dangerous goods during transport. These labels apply to liquids with a low flash point that can ignite easily under normal transport conditions. Typical examples include petrol, diesel, ethanol, acetone, paints, varnishes, adhesives, solvents and many chemical mixtures used in industry, laboratories and manufacturing.

Flammable liquids in Class 3 present risks such as rapid ignition, vapour formation and fire propagation. For this reason, the Class 3 label features the standardised flame symbol and the number “3” at the bottom of the diamond. The red background ensures immediate recognition by carriers, warehouse operators and emergency responders.

Class 3 labels are mandatory for the compliant transport of flammable liquids under IATA/DGR, ADR, IMDG, ADN and RID regulations. They ensure clear identification across all transport modes — air, road, sea, rail and inland waterways — helping prevent accidents, delays and regulatory non‑compliance.

These labels are essential for logistics operators, chemical distributors, paint suppliers, fuel companies, automotive workshops, industrial facilities and any business handling or shipping flammable liquids.

We offer Class 3 labels in polypropylene (100×100 mm and 100×135 mm) and vinyl placards (250×250 mm and 300×300 mm), available with text, without text or customised on‑demand printing. Packs of 10, 50 and 100 units are available, as well as rolls of 250, 500 and 1000 to support all dangerous goods operations.

Disclaimer: This information is for guidance only; customers must always consult the applicable regulations.

Frequently asked questions — Class 3 flammable liquid labels

What size must a Class 3 label be?

On packages the hazard label is a diamond of at least 100 mm × 100 mm, with a line running about 5 mm inside the edge (ADR 5.2.2.2.1.1). If the package is too small the dimensions may be reduced proportionally, provided the symbol stays clearly visible. On vehicles and containers you use the placard, which is larger: at least 250 mm × 250 mm, with the inner line 12.5 mm from the edge and any digits at least 25 mm high (ADR 5.3.1.7.1).

Do the same Class 3 labels work for ADR, IATA DGR and IMDG?

Yes. The Class 3 flammable liquid diamond comes from the UN Model Regulations, so the same model is used by ADR, RID and ADN by land, by the IATA DGR by air and by the IMDG Code by sea. What changes between modes is the quantity limits, the packing instructions and the documentation, not the graphic. For sea transport the label must also survive exposure to seawater — that is what BS5609 approval certifies, and our labels carry it.

Do limited quantities still need a Class 3 label?

No. Under ADR chapter 3.4, dangerous goods packed in limited quantities are exempt from almost all of ADR and the package carries the limited quantity mark instead of the class hazard label. Air transport has its own mark and its own rules. Check column (7a) of Table A for the inner packaging limit that applies to your UN number: a 0 in that column means the entry cannot travel as a limited quantity at all.