UN Number Panels Canada
Orange rectangular panels displaying the 4-digit UN number — used alongside dangerous-goods placards on tank trucks and bulk containers under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Last Verified: June 2026 · Based on the TDG Regulations (SOR/2001-286), Part 4
UN Number Panels — Quick Facts
- Regulation: Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (SOR/2001-286), Part 4 — Dangerous Goods Safety Marks
- Panel colour: orange rectangular panel
- Nominal size: 300 mm wide × 120 mm tall — confirm against current TDG Regulations
- UN number digits: minimum 65 mm tall, black on orange
- Purpose: identifies the specific dangerous substance, displayed in addition to the class placard
- When required: on large means of containment (tanks, bulk containers) for designated substances — verify in Schedule 1 of the TDG Regulations
What Is a UN Number Panel?
A UN number panel is a rectangular orange safety mark that displays the 4-digit United Nations number assigned to a specific dangerous substance or article. The number allows first responders, inspectors, and other personnel to identify the exact material in the container at a glance — critical information during an emergency response.
Under the Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (SOR/2001-286), Part 4, the UN number panel works alongside the class placard — it adds substance-specific identification on top of the general hazard class the placard already communicates. The two marks complement each other; the panel does not replace the placard.
UN Number Panel Specifications
The table below summarises the panel specifications as published in the TDG Regulations. Always confirm exact dimensions and display requirements against the current version of the regulations before applying panels to your vehicle or container.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Panel colour | Orange (retroreflective border recommended for visibility) |
| Panel shape | Rectangular |
| Nominal dimensions | 300 mm wide × 120 mm tall (confirm against current TDG Regulations) |
| UN number digit height | Minimum 65 mm, black on orange background |
| Display position | Each side and each end of the large means of containment, adjacent to the class placard |
| Authority | Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (SOR/2001-286), Part 4 |
When Are UN Number Panels Required?
UN number panels are required on large means of containment — including tank trucks, portable tanks, intermediate bulk containers, and rail tank cars — when transporting dangerous goods that appear in the applicable schedule of the TDG Regulations. The requirement is substance-specific: not every dangerous goods shipment needs a UN panel, but many bulk and tank shipments do.
Check your shipping document and Schedule 1 of the TDG Regulations to confirm whether a UN panel is required for the substance you are transporting, what UN number applies, and whether a separate orange panel is needed or whether the number may appear on the placard itself. Requirements vary by substance, concentration, and type of container.
UN Panel vs. Placard — What Is the Difference?
The class placard (the diamond-shaped safety mark, at least 250 mm × 250 mm) identifies the hazard class — for example, Class 3 Flammable Liquids or Class 8 Corrosives. The UN number panel identifies the specific substance within that class — for example, UN 1203 (gasoline) or UN 1830 (sulphuric acid).
Both marks are often required together on large means of containment. In some cases the regulations permit the UN number to appear in the lower corner of the placard itself rather than on a separate orange panel. The correct approach depends on the substance and type of containment — confirm against the current TDG Regulations or consult a certified dangerous-goods consultant.
Important: UN number and placard requirements are substance-specific and quantity-specific. This page is general guidance built to the TDG Regulations — it is not a substitute for the regulation itself or advice from your dangerous-goods consultant. Confirm your safety marks, including the correct UN number for your substance, against the current TDG Regulations (SOR/2001-286) before shipping.
UN Number Panels
From $29.99 CAD — Ships 1-2 business days
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