How can I determine if a product is Hazmat?
More information is available from both the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the United States Postal Service (USPS):
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazmat Hotline: 1-800-467-4922
United States Postal Service (USPS) Information: 1-800-275-8777
You can also contact the manufacturer or supplier and ask if the product is regulated as a hazardous material, particularly by any of the following:
Directive 1999/45/EC (aka DPD) concerning the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations
Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (aka CLP) on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures
European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (current edition)
International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code (current edition)
IATA's Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) Manual (current edition)
If it is regulated, obtain a material safety data sheet (MSDS) or safety data sheet (SDS) for the product from the manufacturer or supplier.
Ask the manufacturer or supplier the following questions regarding the product. Answering "yes" to any of these questions could indicate that the product is considered Hazmat:
Is the product or packaging marked with warnings such as "corrosive," "flammable," "combustible," "ORMD," "consumer commodity," "limited quantity," or "danger"?
Is the Flash Point below 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 93.3 degrees Celsius?
Is the product packaged in an aerosol can?
Is the product a compressed gas?
Is this or does this product contain a battery?
Although answering "yes" to any of these questions indicates a product may be Hazmat, answering "no" to these questions does not guarantee that a product is not Hazmat.