About the Manual of Tests and Criteria

The Manual of Tests and Criteria contains criteria, test methods and procedures to be used for classification of dangerous goods according to the provisions of the "United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations", as well as of chemicals presenting physical hazards according to the "Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals" (GHS). It gives descriptions of the test methods and procedures considered to be the most useful for providing classifiers with the necessary information to arrive at a proper classification. It also supplements national or international regulations which are derived from the Model Regulations or the GHS.

Originally developed by the Economic and Social Council’s Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods which adopted a first version in 1984, it has been regularly updated and amended every two years. Presently, the updating is done under the auspices of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, which replaces the original committee since 2001.

The Manual is divided into five parts:

There are also appendices which give information common to a number of different types of tests, on the National Contacts for Test Details, on an example method for emergency relief vent sizing of portable tanks for organic peroxides and self-reactive substances, on screening procedures, on flash compositions tests for the classification of fireworks, response descriptors and the ballistic energy test for cartridges, small arms.