SDS Section 14: Transport Information, Explained

Section 14 of the safety data sheet informs shippers, carriers, and emergency responders of a product’s transport classification. This section is often inaccurate, as it is frequently completed once and not updated to reflect actual shipping practices.

This section outlines its required contents, the regulatory sources, and steps to maintain accuracy.

What goes in Section 14

Under the GHS format adopted by OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, WHMIS and EU CLP/REACH, Section 14 covers:

1. UN number. The four-digit identifier assigned in the UN Model Regulations, for example UN1993.
2. UN proper shipping name. The official name tied to that UN number. For generic “n.o.s.” (not otherwise specified) entries, technical names of the hazardous constituents are often required in parentheses.
3. Transport hazard class(es). The primary class and any subsidiary hazard, for example Class 3 with a Class 8 subsidiary risk.
4. Packing group. I, II or III, indicating great, medium or minor danger, where the class assigns one.
5. Environmental hazards. Whether the product is a marine pollutant under the IMDG Code or environmentally hazardous under other modal rules.
6. Transport in bulk. Relevant information under IMO instruments such as MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code, if the product ships in bulk by sea.
7. Special precautions. Anything the user needs to know for transport or conveyance on or off site.

If a product is not regulated for transport, Section 14 should clearly state this, specifying the mode if necessary, rather than leaving the section blank.

Which regulations drive it

The SDS does not establish transport rules; it reports them. Classification is determined by modal regulations:

• US ground, rail and domestic shipping: DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations, 49 CFR Parts 171–180.
• Ocean: the IMDG Code.
• Air: the ICAO Technical Instructions, applied commercially through the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
• European road and rail: ADR and RID.
• Canada: the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations.

A single product may have different entries depending on the mode of transport. For example, a marine pollutant notation may apply by sea but not for US domestic road shipments, and air regulations can impose stricter limits on quantities and packaging.

Is Section 14 mandatory?

Requirements vary by jurisdiction. OSHA mandates all 16 section headings on a US SDS but does not enforce the content of Sections 12 through 15, as these are regulated by other agencies. In the EU, Section 14 content is required under REACH Annex II. Regardless, customers, carriers, and freight forwarders rely on this section, and discrepancies between the SDS and shipping papers can result in rejected shipments and compliance issues.

Common Section 14 mistakes

• Copying the supplier’s Section 14. Your mixture may differ from your supplier’s raw material. Dilution, blending, or added components can alter the hazard class, packing group, or regulatory status.
• Missing technical names on n.o.s. entries. “Flammable liquid, n.o.s.” usually needs the constituents that drive the hazard named in parentheses.
• Ignoring marine pollutant status. Aquatic toxicity data in Section 12 should align with the environmental hazard entry in Section 14.
• Providing only one entry for all modes. Ground, sea, and air requirements can differ. Listing only DOT information for products shipped internationally creates gaps.
• Section 14 becoming inconsistent with shipping papers. When logistics updates a classification, the SDS is often not updated accordingly.
• Inconsistency with Section 2 and Section 9. The flash point in Section 9 determines Class 3 and its packing group. Discrepancies between these sections indicate an error.

How to keep Section 14 accurate

Treat transport classification as a property of the product rather than the document. Classify the product once, based on its composition and physical data, for each applicable mode of transport. Ensure the SDS, label, and shipping paperwork all reference the same record. When the formula or regulations change, update all outputs accordingly.

It also helps to:

1. Check Section 9 data (flash point, boiling point, pH) before classifying.
2. Review Section 14 any time a formula changes or a new shipping mode is added.
3. Track modal regulation updates, since DOT, IMDG and IATA revise on their own cycles.
4. Have whoever books shipments review the Section 14 entries at least once a year.

How Valenc handles it

Valenc stores transport classification at the product record level, ensuring Section 14, the label, and downstream systems all reference a single source. Classifications are generated by a rules engine using your composition and physical data, with traceability to the relevant regulations. No information is published without human approval.

To assess your current SDS authoring costs, use the SDS cost calculator or book a demo to see transport classification in action.