Platform · Transport and DOT classification

Understand a product's shipping requirements before it arrives at the dock

Transport classification is a distinct regulatory process from workplace hazard classification. Valenc uses the same product record, applies transport criteria, and provides a hazmat classification and shipping description for your team's review. Your shipping department no longer needs to interpret Section 14 from an SDS.

GHSHazard classificationCommunicates hazards to handlers; drives SDS and label content.
RECORDProduct recordComposition, substance data, and physical/chemical properties.
49 CFRTransport classificationIndicates if material is regulated for shipping and provides ID number, proper shipping name, class, and packing group.

An SDS hazard classification does not determine shipping requirements

A product may have workplace hazards under GHS but still require a separate transport determination. Shipping regulations use distinct criteria, terminology, and outputs. Treating transport as a copy of Section 2 can lead to errors.

Workplace classification addresses how hazards should be communicated to those handling the chemical. Transport classification determines how the material is regulated for transportation. Valenc maintains both decisions within the same product record and applies the appropriate criteria to each.

Transform product data into a shipping description

The transport decision uses the same composition, substance data, and physical and chemical properties in the product record. Factors such as flash point, physical state, and listed substances can affect the outcome.

For US DOT hazardous materials under 49 CFR, Valenc determines if the material is regulated and, if so, provides the required shipping description: identification number (UN or NA), proper shipping name, hazard class or division, packing group if applicable, and any subsidiary hazards. These elements are linked to the classification and hazardous materials table entry, and Valenc ensures they remain connected to the original decision.

A formulation change can impact transport classification

A product does not require a new name to present a new shipping issue. Adding an ingredient, changing a concentration, or re-measuring a flash point can alter the transport determination. Since transport classification is part of the product record, any change triggers a review of the transport result. There is no need to update a separate shipping table.

Classify once and apply it across all systems

The approved transport result populates Section 14 of the SDS and is accessible to your ERP, WMS, or shipping system via the API. Product stewardship makes the regulatory decision within the compliance workflow, and logistics uses this result rather than recreating it at the dock.

GHS and transport: connected, but clearly distinguished

The same product record supports both hazard communication and transport, but the outputs remain clearly separate. GHS classification informs the SDS and label content, while transport classification determines shipping requirements. Viewing both together clarifies why a product may have different GHS hazards and transport requirements.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is hazmat classification?

Hazmat classification is the process of determining whether a material is regulated for transportation and, if so, assigning the required transport information in compliance with applicable regulations.

Is DOT classification the same as GHS classification?

No. GHS classification is designed for workplace hazard communication, while DOT hazardous materials regulations under 49 CFR govern the transportation of dangerous goods in the United States. Both use the same product data, but the regulatory criteria and resulting outputs are distinct.

What is in a DOT shipping description?

A DOT shipping description for a regulated material includes the identification number (UN or NA), proper shipping name, hazard class or division, and packing group if applicable. Additional requirements may apply depending on the specific material and shipment details.

Can a formulation change affect transport classification?

Yes. Modifications to a product's composition or its relevant physical and chemical properties can impact whether it meets transport criteria or which regulatory entry applies. Valenc automatically re-evaluates transport classification whenever the product record is updated.

Does Valenc use the same classification for the SDS and for transport?

No. Although both SDS and transport classifications are based on the same product data, each is determined independently according to its own regulatory criteria and rules.

Can transport data move to other systems?

Yes. All transport data fields, including classification results, are accessible via the REST API and available in structured export formats for seamless integration with other business systems.

Advance transport classification earlier in your workflow

Empower product stewardship to make transport decisions at the source before shipping teams, documentation, or downstream systems depend on them