The proper hazmat shipping description for acetone is: UN1090, Acetone, 3, PG II. This is the format required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and international regulations for transporting acetone by road, air, rail, or sea. Each element in that sequence carries specific meaning for emergency responders and shipping personnel.
Breaking Down the Shipping Description
A proper shipping description follows a strict sequence defined in 49 CFR (the Code of Federal Regulations governing hazardous materials transport). For acetone, each component communicates something essential:
- UN1090 is the four-digit United Nations identification number assigned specifically to acetone. This number appears on shipping papers, packaging, and the orange placards on transport vehicles. Emergency responders use it to quickly identify the substance and look up response procedures.
- Acetone is the proper shipping name. You must use this exact name on documentation, not synonyms like “dimethyl ketone” or “2-propanone,” even though those are chemically accurate.
- 3 is the hazard class, which designates acetone as a flammable liquid. Class 3 covers liquids with a flash point below 60°C (140°F). Acetone’s flash point is approximately -20°C (-4°F), making it highly flammable.
- PG II stands for Packing Group II, indicating a medium level of danger. Packing groups range from I (great danger) to III (minor danger). Acetone lands in the middle because of its low flash point combined with a boiling point of about 56°C (133°F).
Required Order and Formatting
DOT regulations specify that the elements must appear in a particular sequence on shipping papers: UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, then packing group. Getting the order wrong can result in a violation during a DOT inspection, even if all the correct information is present somewhere on the document.
The description may also need to include the total quantity being shipped and, depending on the mode of transport, additional notations. For air shipments under IATA regulations, the same core description applies, but you may need to specify whether the acetone is in cargo aircraft only or is permitted on passenger aircraft (small quantities under specific packaging limits are allowed on passenger flights).
Placarding and Labeling Requirements
Any package containing acetone needs a Class 3 flammable liquid diamond label. The label is red with a flame symbol. For bulk shipments (containers holding more than 119 gallons or 450 liters), the transport vehicle requires Class 3 diamond placards on all four sides, along with a placard displaying the UN number 1090.
Smaller shipments in containers of 119 gallons or less still need the diamond label on each package but don’t always trigger vehicle placarding requirements. The threshold depends on the total weight of hazardous material being carried. If you’re shipping 1,001 pounds or more of acetone, placarding the vehicle becomes mandatory regardless of individual container size.
Common Shipping Scenarios
Acetone ships in a wide range of quantities, from small bottles in laboratory supply orders to full tanker trucks for industrial use. For smaller quantities, DOT allows a “limited quantity” exception under 49 CFR 173.150. Containers of 1 liter (0.3 gallons) or less, packed in combination packaging with a gross weight under 30 kg (66 pounds), qualify for reduced labeling and documentation requirements. These packages need a limited quantity marking (a diamond with a black border) but are exempt from full shipping paper requirements in ground transport.
If you’re shipping acetone internationally by sea, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code uses the same UN1090 designation and Class 3 classification. The marine pollutant status of acetone is generally “no,” so you won’t need the additional marine pollutant marking that applies to some other hazardous liquids.
Emergency Response Information
Shipping papers for acetone must include emergency response information or a reference to the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). Acetone falls under ERG Guide 127, which covers flammable liquids with water-soluble properties. This guide number tells first responders that acetone vapors are heavier than air and can travel along the ground to ignition sources, that water fog or alcohol-resistant foam works for fire suppression, and that the liquid itself is water-soluble, which affects containment strategies for spills.
A 24-hour emergency response phone number is also required on shipping papers. Many shippers use services like CHEMTREC (1-800-424-9300) to fulfill this requirement, though a company’s own emergency line works as long as someone knowledgeable is available around the clock.
Training and Compliance
Anyone involved in preparing acetone for shipment, filling out shipping papers, or loading containers needs DOT hazmat training under 49 CFR 172 Subpart H. This includes general awareness training, function-specific training for their particular job duties, safety training, and security awareness training. Recertification is required every three years, and employers must keep training records on file.
Violations for incorrect hazmat descriptions or missing documentation carry fines that can reach tens of thousands of dollars per incident. For willful violations, penalties go higher and can include criminal charges. Getting the proper shipping description right is one of the simplest but most important steps in hazmat compliance.