Hazard identification codes, referred to as “hazard identification numbers” (also referred to as the Kemler Code) under European and some South American regulations, may be found in the top half of an orange panel on some intermodal bulk containers. The 4-digit identification number is in the bottom half of the orange panel.

The hazard identification code in the top half of the orange panel consists of two or three digits. In general, the digits indicate the following hazards:

2 - EMISSION OF GAS DUE TO PRESSURE OR CHEMICAL REACTION

3 - FLAMMABILITY OF LIQUIDS (VAPORS) AND GASES OR SELF-HEATING LIQUID

4 - FLAMMABILITY OF SOLIDS OR SELF-HEATING SOLID

5 - OXIDIZING (FIRE-INTENSIFYING) EFFECT

6 - TOXICITY OR RISK OF INFECTION

7 - RADIOACTIVITY

8 - CORROSIVITY

9 - MISCELLANEOUS DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE

• Doubling of a digit indicates an intensification of that particular hazard (i.e. 33, 66, 88).
• Where the hazard associated with a material can be adequately indicated by a single digit, the digit is followed by a zero (i.e. 30, 40, 50).
• A hazard identification code prefixed by the letter “X” indicates that the material will react dangerously with water (i.e. X88).
• When 9 appears as a 2^nd or 3^rd digit, this may present a risk of spontaneous violent reaction.

The hazard identification codes listed below have the following meanings: