Section 14 of an MSDS/SDS provides transport information for road, sea and air review. It may include the UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group, environmental hazards and precautions. The entries must be supported by the product’s actual formulation, properties and package.
What is the purpose of Section 14 in an SDS?
Section 14 gives downstream users and shipping teams a structured summary of available transport classification information. OSHA Appendix D lists the transport details normally reported under this heading. The UN Model Regulations provide the wider classification, packaging, marking, labelling and documentation framework used as a basis for dangerous-goods transport systems.
The section is useful, but it does not complete the shipment. Packaging, quantity, mode and carrier rules still need to be checked. A shipper should not assume that a line copied from an SDS can be transferred directly to an airway bill or declaration.
What information belongs in Section 14?
| Field | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| UN number | A four-digit identifier assigned to a dangerous-goods entry, such as UN 1263. | Connects the material to the correct transport entry and provisions. |
| UN proper shipping name | The authorised transport name associated with the entry. | Commercial product names do not replace the proper shipping name. |
| Transport hazard class | The primary danger class, with subsidiary hazards where applicable. | Influences marks, labels, segregation and handling. |
| Packing group | A relative degree of danger, commonly I, II or III where the entry uses packing groups. | Can affect packaging instructions and quantity limits. |
| Environmental hazards | Information such as marine-pollutant status where relevant. | Sea transport and environmental provisions may apply. |
| Special precautions | Product- or shipment-specific transport cautions. | Helps the shipper identify additional controls. |
| Bulk transport | Information requested by the applicable SDS format for bulk carriage. | It is not the same as ordinary packaged courier shipping. |
Not every dangerous-goods entry uses a packing group. Do not add one merely because a template has an empty field.
What should Section 14 say if the product is not regulated?
Use a clear conclusion supported by the relevant assessment. The wording may distinguish road, sea and air because the applicable rules and provisions are not identical. A vague statement such as “safe for shipping” is not a transport classification.
“Not classified as hazardous” in Section 2 does not automatically answer Section 14. Workplace hazard communication and dangerous-goods transport use related but different criteria. Batteries, aerosols, pressure, temperature and the package can introduce transport requirements not obvious from a general hazard statement.
When a carrier asks for separate proof, review how to support a Non-DG conclusion and the difference between an SDS and Non-DG declaration.
Can Section 14 be identical for road, sea and air?
Sometimes the basic UN entry is consistent, but the full requirements can still differ. Air, sea and surface frameworks may apply different quantity limits, packing instructions, exceptions, documentation or carrier restrictions.
| Mode | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Air or courier | IATA/ICAO provisions, airline variations, packing instructions, quantity limits and declaration requirements. |
| Sea | IMDG classification, marine-pollutant status, segregation and container documentation. |
| Road or surface | The applicable national or regional road framework, package and route. |
| Multimodal shipment | Each mode used during the journey rather than only the first movement. |
What evidence supports Section 14?
- Complete finished-product formulation and concentration ranges.
- Current supplier SDS files for ingredients or components.
- Physical state, flash point, boiling information, pH, pressure and other relevant properties.
- Product-specific test data when reliable values are not otherwise available.
- Exact package type, package quantity and complete article configuration.
- Battery chemistry, rating and UN 38.3 evidence where applicable.
- The transport mode and route for the intended shipment.
The PHMSA interpretation on using Section 14 information explains that an SDS can be a reference, but the shipper remains responsible for correct classification. That is why unsupported entries should not be copied between products.
Which Section 14 errors cause shipping problems?
- Copying a UN number from the most hazardous ingredient instead of classifying the mixture.
- Using a commercial product name as the proper shipping name.
- Adding a packing group where the transport entry does not use one.
- Writing “not regulated” without checking flash point, pressure, battery or package information.
- Using the same conclusion for liquid, aerosol and battery-powered versions.
- Leaving Section 14 inconsistent with Sections 2, 3, 9 or 10.
- Treating the SDS as a dangerous-goods declaration or carrier approval.
Need Section 14 reviewed against your formulation, package and intended mode?
Request an SDS Review →Which official references support this guide?
- OSHA Appendix D: Section 14 transport information
- UNECE: UN Model Regulations, Revision 24
- PHMSA: using Section 14 information
Frequently Asked Questions
It contains available transport information such as UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group, environmental hazards and special precautions.
It can support a review but does not automatically prove the conclusion for every package, mode or carrier. The shipper remains responsible for classification.
Use clear mode-appropriate wording supported by the actual formulation, physical data and package. Do not write not regulated without completing the assessment.
No. It may be a reference, but the shipment must be classified and documented for the actual package, quantity, route and mode.