UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

First published in 1956 by a UN expert committee, with annexed Model Regulations since the late 1990s, the recommendations are revised every two years. They define the nine hazard classes, UN numbers, proper shipping names, packing groups, packaging tests, marks, labels and documents. They take legal effect only through ADR, the IMDG Code, the ICAO Technical Instructions and national rules such as the US HMR. The 24th revised edition, published in 2025, added provisions for hybrid lithium and sodium ion batteries.

The Model Regulations are why a lithium battery shipment uses the same UN number, label and packaging test whether it moves by truck, ship or plane. Harmonized rules let fulfillment operators train staff once and ship across modes and borders. For example, a 3PL shipping power banks from a US warehouse to Europe can use packaging tested to UN standards that satisfies the US HMR, the IATA DGR and ADR for the final road leg. Changes in each edition reach the modal rules about two years later, giving shippers advance notice.

• Lithium Battery ShippingShipping batteries under dangerous goods rules

• Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR)1908, rewritten 1990 · US DOT rules for shipping hazardous materials
• ADR Agreement1957, in force 1968, ADR 2025 current · Treaty on carrying dangerous goods by road
• IMDG Code1965, mandatory since 2004 · IMO code for shipping dangerous goods by sea

1. UN Model Regulations, Rev. 24 (2025), UNECE unece.org