ADR class 9 covers substances and articles that do not fall within the definitions of the other eight classes but still present a danger during carriage. Lithium and sodium ion batteries, environmentally hazardous substances (UN 3077, UN 3082), asbestos, substances carried at elevated temperature, airbag inflators and genetically modified organisms are in this class. Its label has seven vertical black stripes in the upper half.
Why is class 9 called “miscellaneous”?
Class 9 is a residual class: substances that do not explode, are not flammable liquids or gases, are not considered toxic or corrosive, but still create a risk in an accident or fire are grouped here. ADR groups these substances by classification codes:
| Code | Group | Example UN numbers |
|---|---|---|
| M1 | Substances which, when inhaled as fine dust, may endanger health | Asbestos (UN 2212, UN 2590) |
| M2 | Substances and articles which, in the event of fire, may form dioxins | Liquids containing PCBs (UN 2315) |
| M3 | Substances evolving flammable vapour | Polymeric beads, expandable (UN 2211) |
| M4 | Lithium and sodium ion batteries | UN 3090, 3091, 3480, 3481, 3536; with ADR 2025, UN 3551, 3552 |
| M5 | Life-saving appliances | Inflatable life raft (UN 2990), airbag inflator (UN 3268) |
| M6–M8 | Environmentally hazardous substances, GMOs and GMMOs | UN 3077 (solid), UN 3082 (liquid), UN 3245 |
| M9–M10 | Substances carried at elevated temperature | UN 3257 (liquid, at least 100 °C), UN 3258 (solid, at least 240 °C) |
| M11 | Other dangerous substances not covered by another class | Specific entries in Table A |
Dry ice (UN 1845) is a separate case. It is not subject to ADR; only the ventilation and warning rules in section 5.5.3 apply.
Which labels and marks are used?
- Class 9 label: Seven vertical black stripes in the upper half on a white background.
- 9A label: For lithium and sodium ion batteries; the lower half shows a group of batteries and a burning cell symbol.
- Environmentally hazardous substance mark: Dead tree and dead fish symbol. Used for every substance that meets the environmental criteria, whatever its class.
- Elevated temperature mark: Thermometer symbol; mandatory on tank vehicles and specially equipped vehicles carrying substances transported at or above 100 °C in liquid state or 240 °C in solid state (for example UN 3257, UN 3258).
- Lithium battery mark: The UN number inside a red-hatched border; used for small battery consignments carried under an exemption.
What is required for the vehicle?
Most class 9 substances are in transport category 3: up to a total of 1,000 kg or litres per vehicle, no orange plates, ADR driver certificate or instructions in writing are required. UN 3480 lithium ion batteries, however, are in category 2, and the limit drops to 333 kg. The calculation method is in the entry on the transport category and the 1000-point rule. When the limit is exceeded, orange plates, a driver certificate, vehicle equipment and instructions in writing become mandatory. In tank and bulk transport, the orange plate shows the hazard identification number 90 for environmentally hazardous substances and 99 for substances at elevated temperature.
Common exemptions
- Special provision 375: UN 3077 and UN 3082 are not subject to ADR when in single or inner packagings of no more than 5 kg or 5 litres; the packaging must meet the general safety requirements.
- Special provision 188: Small lithium batteries (for lithium ion, limits of 20 Wh per cell and 100 Wh per battery; for lithium metal, 1 g per cell and 2 g per battery) are subject to simplified rules with the lithium battery mark.
- Limited quantity (LQ): Can be carried with the LQ mark up to the inner packaging quantities permitted in Table A; details are in the entry on limited quantities.
- 1.1.3.6 quantity exemption: For vehicle loads below the category limit, plates and a driver certificate are not required, but labelling and documentation rules still apply.
Common mistakes
- Shipping damaged or recalled lithium batteries as if they were intact batteries. These are subject to special provisions and special packaging; see the entry on lithium battery transport.
- Applying the environmentally hazardous substance mark only to class 9 substances. A class 3 solvent may also require this mark.
- Neglecting ventilation and the door warning in a vehicle carrying dry ice. Carbon dioxide build-up in a closed body creates a risk of asphyxiation.
For battery and environmentally hazardous chemical shipments, whether an exemption applies should be clarified before the dangerous goods (ADR) transport quotation.