GOST 19433-88 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 19433-88 — "Грузы опасные. Классификация и маркировка" / "Dangerous goods. Classification and marking". A national (interstate) standard that defines hazard classes, subclasses, classification rules and marking/labeling requirements for dangerous goods for transport and handling.

Abstract

GOST 19433-88 establishes a system for classifying dangerous goods into hazard classes and subclasses and specifies required marking and labeling applied to packages, containers and transport units. It sets out criteria for assigning goods to classes/subclasses, requirements for hazard labels/placards and references to packaging-grouping and compatibility provisions used in transport and storage. The standard was approved by the State Committee for Standards of the USSR and has been subject to later editorial changes.

General information

• Status: Various registries/vendors list differing statuses — originally enacted in 1988 and amended in 1992; some sources list it as active while others mark it as withdrawn/replaced in national registries. See notes below.
• Publication date: Adopted 19 August 1988; introduced (effective) 1 January 1990; editorial amendment recorded 1 September 1992.
• Publisher: Approved by the State Committee for Standards of the USSR (Gosstandart); originally developed by Ministries (Maritime Fleet and Ways of Communication) and published as an interstate (GOST) standard.
• ICS / categories: 01.040.13 (Environment. Health protection. Safety — Vocabularies / Dangerous goods classification & marking).
• Edition / version: Original designation GOST 19433-88 (replacing GOST 19433-81); editorial change recorded 01.09.1992. Some later national/state documents and updated parts (e.g., subsequent interstate or national implementations) reference or revise the original.
• Number of pages: Published versions available in catalogues list about 48–49 pages depending on publisher/format.

Scope

Defines classification rules for dangerous goods (by physical, chemical and hazard properties), the system of hazard classes and subclasses used for transport and handling, and mandatory marking/labeling (labels, placards, marking text and symbols) to indicate the nature of the hazard. The standard is aimed at harmonizing identification and marking so consignors, carriers and handlers can recognize hazards and apply appropriate safety/packaging procedures. It was issued as an interstate (GOST) technical standard for use across USSR member states and later referenced in national implementations.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of hazard classes and subclasses for dangerous goods (criteria for assignment to classes/subclasses).
• Requirements for graphical labels, placards and marking elements to be applied to packages and transport units.
• Rules for indicating packing groups, special provisions and compatibility limitations for transport and storage.
• Procedures for classification of mixed/combined consignments and small quantities (exceptions and limited quantities provisions).
• References to related test methods, normative documents and regulatory provisions used to determine physical/chemical hazard indicators.

Typical use and users

Used by regulatory bodies, transport operators (road/rail/sea), consignors and packagers of hazardous materials, safety managers, emergency responders and testing laboratories to classify cargos, prepare shipping documentation and apply standardized hazard marking. It is also used by manufacturers and suppliers to ensure packaging and labels comply with transport safety rules in jurisdictions that accept or reference the GOST system.

Related standards

Predecessor: GOST 19433-81 (replaced by the 1988 edition). Related and successor documents include later national/regional standards and parts that update classification/marking rules (examples include national GOST/GOST‑R revisions and later parts or editions bearing the 19433 designation). GOST 19433-88 is also associated with transport regulations and international instruments addressing dangerous goods (ADR, IMDG, ICAO TI) which define complementary marking and transport requirements.

Keywords

Dangerous goods; hazardous materials; classification; hazard classes; marking; labeling; placards; packing groups; transport safety; GOST; USSR standard.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 19433-88 is an interstate standard originally approved by the State Committee for Standards of the USSR that sets out classification rules and marking/labeling requirements for dangerous goods.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the system of hazard classes and subclasses, criteria for assigning goods to those classes, and the visual/textual marking (labels, placards, marking content) required on packages and transport units to indicate hazards and packing-group/handling information.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Consignors, carriers (road/rail/sea), packagers, safety officers, regulatory bodies and emergency services use the standard to classify consignments and ensure correct marking and handling of hazardous cargoes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 1988 edition was amended in 1992 and has been retained, modified or superseded in different jurisdictions and registries. Some catalogues/vendors list it as active; other registries mark it withdrawn or replaced by later documents/parts (for example, subsequent numbered parts or national GOST/GOST-R updates). Users should check the current national/regional standards registry for their jurisdiction to determine the operative document.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it follows earlier versions (e.g., GOST 19433-81) and has later related parts/updates in national and interstate standardization programs; in some countries or sectors the original requirements have been split into parts or integrated with newer transport and safety regulations.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Dangerous goods, hazardous materials, classification, marking, labels, placards, packing groups, transport safety, GOST.