Hazard Class

Hazard Class

Hazard classes are categories for classifying potential hazards or risks that may arise from substances, materials, or products.

They serve to describe the nature of the physical hazard, the risk to human health, and the potential environmental hazard associated with hazardous substances. The goal is to clearly label risks and make them comparable.

Within the framework of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) as well as the European CLP Regulation, hazard classes are further divided into hazard categories. This differentiation describes the severity of the hazard within a hazard class.

Hazard classes are used to inform people about the nature and extent of potential hazards and to derive appropriate protective and safety measures. They are applied in various fields, including:

• Transport and logistics

• Occupational safety

• Chemistry and industry

• Fire and explosion protection

Hazard Classes in Transport

A well-known example is the UN hazard classes for the transport of dangerous goods. In this system, substances and materials are divided into different classes according to their hazardous properties, for example:

• Class 1: Explosives

• Class 3: Flammable liquids

• Class 6: Toxic substances

This classification helps to make the transport, storage, and handling of dangerous goods safer and to minimize risks to humans, the environment, and property.