Criteria for assigning carriage requirements for products subject to the IBC Code

21.1.1 The following criteria are guidelines for the determination of pollution classification and assignment of appropriate carriage requirements for bulk liquid cargoes being considered as candidates for entry into the IBC Code or annexes 1, 3 or 4 of MEPC.2/Circs.

21.1.2 In developing such criteria, every effort has been made to follow the criteria and cut off points developed under the Global Harmonized System (GHS).

21.1.3 Although the criteria are intended to be closely defined in order to establish a uniform approach, it must be emphasized that these are guidelines only and, where human experience or other factors indicates the need for alternative arrangements, these shall always be taken into account. Where deviations from the criteria have been recognized, they shall be properly recorded with justifications.

21.2.1 This chapter contains the following:

1. minimum safety and pollution criteria for products subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code;

2. criteria used to assign the minimum carriage requirements for products, which meet the safety or pollution criteria to make them subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code;

3. criteria used for special requirements in chapter 15 of the IBC Code to be included in column o of chapter 17 of the IBC Code;

4. criteria used for special requirements in chapter 16 of the IBC Code to be included in column o of chapter 17 of the IBC Code; and

5. definitions of properties used within this chapter.

21.3.1 Products are deemed to be hazardous and subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. inhalation LC₅₀ ≤20 mg/l/4 h (see definitions in Ch 1, 21.7 Definitions 21.7.1);

2. dermal LD₅₀ ≤2000 mg/kg (see definitions in Ch 1, 21.7 Definitions 21.7.1.(b));

3. oral LD₅₀ ≤2000 mg/kg (see definitions in Ch 1, 21.7 Definitions 21.7.1.(c));

4. toxic to mammals by prolonged exposure (see definitions in Ch 1, 21.7 Definitions 21.7.2);

5. cause skin sensitization (see definitions in Ch 1, 21.7 Definitions 21.7.3);

6. cause respiratory sensitization (see definitions in Ch 1, 21.7 Definitions 21.7.4);

7. corrosive to skin (see definitions in Ch 1, 21.7 Definitions 21.7.5);

8. have a Water Reactive Index (WRI) of ≥1 (see definitions in Ch 1, 21.7 Definitions 21.7.6);

9. require inertion, inhibition, stabilization, temperature control or tank environmental control in order to prevent a hazardous reaction (see definitions in Ch 1, 21.7 Definitions 21.7.10);

10. flash point <23°C; and have an explosive/flammability range (expressed as a percentage by volume in air) of ≥20%;

11. autoignition temperature of ≤200°C; and

12. classified as pollution category X or Y or meeting the criteria for rules 11 to 13 under Ch 1, 21.4 Criteria used to assign the minimum carriage requirements for products, which meet the minimum safety or pollution criteria to make them subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code 21.4.5.

21.4.1  Column a - Product Name

1. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) name shall be used as far as possible but, where this is unnecessarily complex, then a technically correct and unambiguous alternative chemical name may be used.

21.4.2  Column b - Deleted.

21.4.3  Column c - Pollution Category

1. Column c identifies the pollution category assigned to each product under Annex II of MARPOL 73/78Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk of MARPOL 73/78.

21.4.4  Column d - Hazards

1. An "S" is assigned to column d if any of the safety criteria described in Ch 1, 21.3 Minimum safety and pollution criteria for products subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code 21.3.1 are met.

2. A "P" is assigned to column d if the product meets the criteria for assigning Ship Type 1 to 3 as defined by rules 1 to 14 in Ch 1, 21.4 Criteria used to assign the minimum carriage requirements for products, which meet the minimum safety or pollution criteria to make them subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code 21.4.5.

21.4.5  Column e - Ship Type

1. The basic criteria for assigning Ship Types based on the GESAMP Hazard Profile are shown in the table below. An explanation of the details in the columns is provided in appendix 1 of MARPOL Annex II of MARPOL 73/78Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk. Selected rules, identified in this table, are specified in Ch 1, 21.4 Criteria used to assign the minimum carriage requirements for products, which meet the minimum safety or pollution criteria to make them subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code 21.4.5.(b) for assigning specific Ship Types.

   Rule Number	A1	A2	B1	B2	D3	E2	Ship Type
   1			≥5				1
   2	≥4	NR	4		CMRTNI
   3	≥4	NR			CMRTNI		2
   4			4
   5	≥4		3
   6		NR	3
   7				≥1
   8						Fp
   9					CMRTNI	F
   10			≥2			S
   11	≥4						3
   12		NR
   13			≥1
   14	All other category Y Substances
   15	All other category Z Substances						NA
   	All "Other Substances" (OS)

2. The Ship Type is assigned according to the following criteria:

   1. Ship Type 1:

      1. Inhalation LC₅₀ ≤0.5 mg/l/4 h; and/or

         Dermal LD₅₀ ≤50 mg/kg; and/or

         Oral LD₅₀ ≤ 5 mg/kg; and/or

         Autoignition temperature ≤65°C; and/or

         Explosive range ≥50% v/v in air and the flash point <23°C; and/or

         Rules 1 or 2 of the table shown in Ch 1, 21.4 Criteria used to assign the minimum carriage requirements for products, which meet the minimum safety or pollution criteria to make them subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code 21.4.5

   2. Ship Type 2:

      1. Inhalation LC₅₀ >0.5mg/l/4 h - ≤2mg/l/4 h; and/or

         Dermal LD₅₀ >50mg/kg - ≤ 1000 mg/kg; and/or

         OralLD₅₀ >5mg/kg - ≤ 300 mg/kg; and/or

         WRI=2;

         Autoignition temperature ≤200°C; and/or

         Explosive range ≥40% v/v in air and the flash point <23°C; and/or

         Any of the rules 3 to 10 of the table shown in Ch 1, 21.4 Criteria used to assign the minimum carriage requirements for products, which meet the minimum safety or pollution criteria to make them subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code 21.4.5

   3. Ship Type 3:

      1. Any of the minimum safety or pollution criteria for bulk liquid cargoes subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code not meeting the requirements for ship types 1 or 2 and not meeting rule 15 of the table shown in Ch 1, 21.4 Criteria used to assign the minimum carriage requirements for products, which meet the minimum safety or pollution criteria to make them subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code 21.4.5.

21.4.6  Column f - Tank type

1. The tank type is assigned according to the following criteria:

   Tank type 1G:		Inhalation LC50 ≤0.5 mg/l/4 h; and/or
   		Dermal LD50 ≤ 200 mg/kg); and/or
   		Autoignition temperature ≤65°C; and/or
   		Explosive range ≥40% v/v in air and the flash point <23°C; and/or
   		WRI=2

   Tank type 2G:

   Any of the minimum safety or pollution criteria for bulk liquid cargoes subject to chapter 17 or the IBC Code not meeting the requirements for tank type 1G.

21.4.7  Column g - Tank vents

1. The tank venting arrangements are assigned according to the following criteria:

   1. Controlled:

      1. Inhalation LC₅₀ ≤ 10 mg/l/4 h; and/or

         Toxic to mammals by prolonged exposure; and/or

         Respiratory sensitizer; and/or

         Special carriage control needed; and/or

         Flash point ≤60°C

         Corrosive to skin (≤ 4 h exposure)

   2. Open:

      1. Any of the minimum safety or pollution criteria for bulk liquid cargoes subject to chapter 17 or the IBC Code not meeting the requirements for controlled tank vents.

21.4.8  Column h - Tank environmental control

1. The Tank environmental control conditions are assigned according to the following criteria:

   1. Inert:

      1. Autoignition temperature ≤200°C; and/or

         Reacts with air to cause a hazard; and/or

         Explosive range ≥40% and the flash point <23°C.

   2. Dry:

      1. WRI≥1

   3. Pad:

      1. Only applies to specific products identified on a case by case basis.

   4. Vent:

      1. Only applies to specific products identified on a case by case basis.

   5. No:

      1. Where the above criteria do not apply, (inerting requirements may be required under SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea)

21.4.9  Column i - Electrical equipment

1. If the flash point of the product is ≤ 60°C or the product is heated to within 15°C of its flash point then the electrical equipment required are assigned according to the following criteria, else '-' is assigned in column i' and i' '.

   1. Column i' - Temperature class:

      1. Autoignition temperature ≥ 450°C

      2. Autoignition temperature ≥ 300°C but < 450°C

      3. Autoignition temperature ≥ 200°C but < 300°C

      4. Autoignition temperature ≥ 135°C but < 200°C

      5. Autoignition temperature ≥ 100°C but < 135°C

      6. Autoignition temperature ≥ 85°C but < 100°C

   2. Column i' ' - Apparatus group:

      Apparatus group	MESG at 20°C (mm)	MIC ratio product/methane
      IIA	≥0.9	>0.8
      IIB	>0.5 to <0.9	≥0.45 to ≤0.8
      IIC	≤0.5	<0.45

      1. The tests shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures described in IEC 60079-1-1:2002 and IEC 79-3.

      2. For gases and vapours it is sufficient to make only one determination of either the Maximum Experimental Safe Gap (MESG) or the Minimum Igniting Current (MIC) provided that:

         for Group IIA:	the MESG > 0.9 mm or the MIC ratio >0.9.
         for Group IIB:	the MESG is ≥0.55 mm and ≤0.9 mm; or the MIC ratio is ≥0.5 and ≤0.8.
         for Group IIC:	the MESG is < 0.5 mm or the MIC ratio is <0.45.

      3. It is necessary to determine both the MESG and the MIC ratio when:

         1. The MIC ratio determination only has been made, and the ratio is between 0.8 and 0.9, when an MESG determination will be required;

         2. The MIC ratio determination only has been made, and the ratio is between 0.45 and 0.5, when an MESG determination will be required;

            or

         3. The MESG only has been found, and is between 0.5 mm and 0.55 mm, when an MIC ratio determination will be required.

   3. Column i' ' ' - Flash point:

      > 60 °C	:Yes
      ≤ 60 °C	:No
      Non-flammable	:NF

   Apparatus group	MESG at 20°C (mm)	Test media
   IIA	0,9	Propane
   IIB	0,65	Ethylene
   IIC	0,28	Hydrogen

21.4.10  Column j - Gauging

1. The type of gauging equipment permitted is assigned according to the following criteria:

   Closed:	Inhalation LC50 ≤ 2 mg/l/4hr; and/or
   	Dermal LD50 ≤ 1000 mg/kg; and/or
   	Toxic to mammals by prolonged exposure; and/or
   	Respiratory sensitizer; and/or
   	Corrosive to skin (≤ 3 min exposure).
   Restricted:	Inhalation LC50 >2 - ≤ 10 mg/l/4h; and/or
   	Special carriage control indicates Inerting required; and/or
   	Corrosive to skin (>3 min - ≤ 1 h exposure); and/or
   	Flash point ≤60°C.
   Open:	Any of the minimum safety or pollution criteria for bulk liquid cargoes subject to chapter 17 or the IBC Code not meeting the requirements for closed or restricted gauging.

21.4.11  Column k - Vapour detection

1. The type of vapour detection equipment required is determined by the following criteria:

   Toxic (T):	:	Inhalation LC50 ≤ 10 mg/l/4 h, and/or
   		Respiratory sensitizer; and/or
   		Toxic by prolonged exposure.
   Flammable (F):	:	Flash point ≤60°C
   No:	:	Where the above criteria do not apply.

21.4.12  Column l - Fire protection equipment

1. The appropriate fire-fighting media are defined as being appropriate according to the following criteria related to the properties of the product:

   Solubility >10% (>100000 mg/l)	:	A	Alcohol-resistant foam.
   Solubility <10% (<100000 mg/l)	:	A	Alcohol-resistant foam; and/or
   	:	B	Regular foam.
   WRI = 0	:	C	Water spray (generally used as a coolant and can be used with A and/or B providing that the WRI=0).
   WRI ≥1	:	D	Dry chemical.
   No	:	No requirements under this Code.

   Note all appropriate media shall be listed.

21.4.13  Column m - Deleted.

21.4.14  Column n - Emergency Equipment

1. The requirement to have personnel emergency equipment on board is identified by 'Yes' in column n according to the following criteria:

   Inhalation LC₅₀ ≤2 mg/l/4 h; and/or

   Respiratory sensitizer; and/or

   Corrosive to skin (≤ 3 min exposure); and/or

   WRI=2

   Note indicates that the above criteria do not apply.

21.6.1  Paragraphs 16.1 to 16.2.5 and 16.3 to 16.5

1. These apply to all cargoes and so are not referenced specifically in column o.

21.6.2  Paragraph 16.2.6

1. Ch 1, 16.2 Cargo information 16.2.6 is added to column o for products, which meet the following criteria:

   Pollution Category X or Y and viscosity ≥50 mPa.s at 20°C

21.6.3  Paragraph 16.2.9

1. Ch 1, 16.2 Cargo information 16.2.9 is added to column o for products, which meet the following criterion:

   Melting point ≥0°C.

21.6.4  Paragraph 16.6 - Cargo not to be exposed to excessive heat

1. Ch 1, 16.6 Cargoes not to be exposed to excessive heat 16.6.2 are added to column o for products, which are identified as requiring temperature control during carriage.

21.7.1  Acute mammalian toxicity

1. Acutely toxic by inhalation^footnote

   Inhalation toxicity (LC50)
   Hazard level	mg/l/4 h
   High	≤0.5
   Moderately high	>0.5 - ≤2
   Moderate	>2 - ≤10
   Slight	>10 - ≤20
   Negligible	>20

2. Acutely toxic in contact with skin

   Dermal toxicity (LD50)
   Hazard Level	mg/kg
   High	≤50
   Moderately high	>50 - ≤200
   Moderate	>200 - ≤1000
   Slight	>1000 - ≤2000
   Negligible	>2000

3. Acutely toxic if swallowed

   Oral toxicity (LD50)
   Hazard Level	mg/kg
   High	≤5
   Moderately high	>5 - ≤50
   Moderate	>50 - ≤300
   Slight	>300 - ≤2000
   Negligible	>2000

21.7.2  Toxic to mammals by prolonged exposure

1. A product is classified as toxic by prolonged exposure if it meets any of the following criteria: it is known to be, or suspected of being a carcinogen, mutagen, reprotoxic, neurotoxic, immunotoxic or exposure below the lethal dose is known to cause specific organ oriented systemic toxicity (TOST) or other related effects.

2. Such effects may be identified from the GESAMP Hazard Profile of the product or other recognized sources of such information.

21.7.3  Skin sensitization

1. A product is classified as a skin sensitizer:

   1. if there is evidence in humans that the substance can induce sensitization by skin contact in a substantial number of persons; or

   2. where there are positive results from an appropriate animal test.

2. When an adjuvant type test method for skin sensitization is used, a response of at least 30% of the animals is considered as positive. For a non-adjuvant test method a response of at least 15% of the animals is considered positive.

3. When a positive result is obtained from the Mouse Ear Swelling Test (MEST) or the Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA), this may be sufficient to classify the product as a skin sensitizer.

21.7.4  Respiratory sensitization

1. A product is classified as a respiratory sensitizer:

   1. if there is evidence in humans that the substance can induce specific respiratory hypersensitivity; and/or

   2. where there are positive results from an appropriate animal test; and/or

   3. where the product is identified as a skin sensitizer and there is no evidence to show that it is not a respiratory sensitizer.

21.7.5  Corrosive to skin^footnote

21.7.6  Water reactive substances

1. These are classified into three groups as follows:

   Water reactive index (WRI)	Definition
   2	Any chemical which, in contact with water, may produce a toxic, flammable or corrosive gas or aerosol.
   1	Any chemical which, in contact with water, may generate heat or produce a non-toxic, non-flammable or non corrosive gas.
   0	Any chemical which, in contact with water, would not undergo a reaction to justify a value of 1 or 2.

21.7.7  Air reactive substances

1. Air reactive substances are products which react with air to cause a potentially hazardous situation, e.g. the formation of peroxides which may cause an explosive reaction.

21.7.8  Electrical apparatus - Temperature Class (for products which either have a flashpoint of ≤60°C or are heated to within 15°C of their flashpoint)

1. The Temperature Class is defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as:

   The highest temperature attained under practical conditions of operation within the rating of the apparatus (and recognized overloads, if any, associated therewith) by any part of any surface, the exposure of which to an explosive atmosphere may involve a risk.

2. The Temperature Class of the electrical apparatus is assigned by selecting the Maximum Surface Temperature which is closest to, but less than, the product's autoignition temperature (see Ch 1, 21.4 Criteria used to assign the minimum carriage requirements for products, which meet the minimum safety or pollution criteria to make them subject to chapter 17 of the IBC Code 21.4.7).

21.7.9  Electrical apparatus - Apparatus group (for products with a flashpoint of ≤60°C)

1. This refers to intrinsically safe and associated electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres which the IEC divide into the following groups:

   Group I:	for mines susceptible to firedamp (not used by IMO); and
   Group II:	for applications in other industries - further sub-divided according to its Maximum Experimental Safe Gap (MESG) and/or the Minimum Igniting Current (MIC) of the gas/vapour into groups IIA, IIB and IIC.

2. This property cannot be determined from other data associated with the product; it has to be either measured or assigned by assimilation with related products in an homologous series.

21.7.10  Special carriage control conditions

1. Special carriage control conditions refer to specific measures that need to be taken in order to either prevent a hazardous reaction. They include:

   1. Inhibition: the addition of a compound (usually organic) that retards or stops an undesired chemical reaction such as corrosion, oxidation or polymerization;

   2. Stabilization: the addition of a substance (stabilizer) that tends to keep a compound, mixture or solution from changing its form or chemical nature. Such stabilizers may retard a reaction rate, preserve a chemical equilibrium, act as antioxidants, keep pigments and other components in emulsion form or prevent the particles in colloidal suspension from precipitating;

   3. Inertion: the addition of a gas (usually nitrogen) in the ullage space of a tank that prevents the formation of a flammable cargo/air mixture;

   4. Temperature control: the maintenance of a specific temperature range for the cargo in order to prevent a hazardous reaction or to keep the viscosity low enough to allow the product to be pumped; and

   5. Padding and venting: only applies to specific products identified on a case by case basis.

21.7.11  Flammable cargoes

1. A cargo is defined as flammable according to the following criteria:

   IBC Code descriptor	Flash point (degrees Centigrade)
   Highly flammable	< 23
   Flammable	≤ 60 but ≥ 23

2. It should be noted that flash points of mixtures and aqueous solutions need to be measured unless all of the components are non-flammable.

3. It should be noted that the carriage of bulk liquid cargoes which have a flash point of ≤60°C is subject to other SOLAS - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea regulations.