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The UN allocate a specific 4 digit UN Number and Proper Shipping Name (PSN) to dangerous goods, which must be used on packaging and documentation.
This worldwide system of identification overcomes problems of language, pronunciation and misunderstandings that might arise from the apparent similarity of many chemical names.
This helps the emergency services to obtain information quickly about the properties of a substance and the most appropriate action to take.
Example:
|
UN
1789
|
HYDROCHLORIC
ACID
|
|
|
|
UN
Number
|
Proper
Shipping Name
|
There are approximately 2000 dangerous goods that have been assigned a UN number and PSN.
For those dangerous goods where no specific UN number and PSN have been assigned a generic or N.O.S. (not otherwise specified) entry must be used.
Example:
UN 1760 CORROSIVE LIQUID, N.O.S. (technical name)
In this instance the technical name of the dangerous component(s) should be included in parenthesis after the generic PSN.
