Marking and labelling of dangerous goods in air transport: the silent language that saves lives
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Every day, millions of tonnes of goods cross the skies in cargo aircraft. Many of those shipments contain dangerous substances — chemicals, lithium batteries, flammable aerosols, biological samples, dry ice. What prevents this constant flow of hazardous materials from becoming a permanent source of accidents? To a very great extent, a meticulous system of marking and labelling, standardised internationally by IATA — specifically Section 7 of the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).
Correct marking and labelling is not bureaucracy. It is a chain of safety communication. If one link fails — a wrong name, a poorly attached label, a covered sticker — the entire chain can be compromised. Read more about the chain of responsibility in dangerous goods transport.
Three objectives that justify all the complexity
Every hazard label on a dangerous goods package serves three simultaneous purposes: identifying the contents, informing handling and stowage, and communicating the hazard visually. Understanding which hazard class applies to your substance is the essential first step.
Marking vs. labelling: two complementary languages
Marking refers to the textual and numerical information that identifies the consignment and its contents. Labelling focuses on the visual communication of hazards using standardised symbols. Both are required under IATA DGR and must appear together on the same face of the package.
Mandatory marking elements
The Proper Shipping Name, UN/ID Number, consignor and consignee details, and additional DGR 7.1 marks are all mandatory. These elements work alongside the UN packaging marks to create a complete safety picture.
The four non-negotiable labelling rules
- Secure adhesion: labels must survive vibration, humidity, temperature changes, and rough handling throughout the journey
- Full visibility: no part may be covered by tape, other labels, documents, handles, or strapping — ever
- Adjacent to the Proper Shipping Name: the hazard symbol must be immediately associated with the substance identity
- Same face of the package: all critical information must be readable from a single viewing angle
⚠ A partially obscured label can lead to incorrect hazard identification. In a busy cargo terminal, or during an emergency response, information must be immediately visible — it cannot be searched for.
Dangerous goods: far more than explosives
A common misconception is to associate 'dangerous goods' solely with industrial chemicals or explosives. In reality, the concept encompasses thousands of everyday items: lithium batteries, perfumes and aerosols, dry ice (UN1845), corrosive cleaning products, medical samples and clinical waste, magnetised material, and many others.
The IATA DGR marking and labelling system is a universal visual and textual language — meticulously designed, continuously refined, and essential for safety. Complying with these standards is not a formality: it is what makes the safe air transport of dangerous goods possible. Browse our full range of compliant dangerous goods labels.
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