Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods Sign – Hazardous Sign

Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods Sign – Dangerous goods are products that place individuals, properties and the environment at immediate risk. Owing to the considerable risks involved with dangerous goods, all storage facilities used to store hazardous materials must be clearly labelled with dangerous goods sign.

What is Class 9?

Class 9 covers hazardous articles/substances that don’t fit classes 1–8 (e.g., dry ice, lithium batteries, air-bag inflators, asbestos, environmentally hazardous substances, etc.). These labels/placards are required under UN Model Regs / NZS 5433 for packages and transport units.

Note on 120 mm size: The 120 mm option is not compliant for transport placards, as NZ regulations require a minimum of 250 mm per side for vehicle use. However, it is very useful for small-scale applications such as cylinder cages, storage cabinets, and indoor warning signage where space is limited.

Note on larger sizes (400 mm – 800 mm): While 250 mm is the minimum required size for transport placards, larger signs (400 mm, 800 mm) are recommended for warehouses, depots, bulk storage areas, and outdoor use. The extra size improves long-distance visibility and makes hazards clear to staff, visitors, and emergency responders.

Check out our: Complete Guide to Dangerous Goods Placards (NZ & AU)

Two artwork options & when to use them

Option A — With wording (“MISCELLANEOUS DANGEROUS GOODS”)

• Best for vehicles, containers and site placards where long-distance readability matters.

• Favoured by many NZ/AU operators because the wording helps drivers, gatehouses and responders identify the class quickly at a glance.

• Matches your image with the large text panel over the white lower half.

Option B — Without wording (stripes + class number only)

• The word-free UN design. Common on packages, IBCs, pallets and anywhere a clean, language-neutral label is preferred.

• Also acceptable on transport placards in NZ/AU where local procedures don’t require the wording panel.

• Ideal when the same stock is used for export or mixed language sites.

Quick chooser:

• Transport unit / long viewing distance? Go Option A (with wording).

• Packages / international / bilingual fleets? Go Option B (no wording).

Need lithium batteries? That’s a Class 9A lithium battery label (battery icon) – different from the generic Class 9 stripe. We can supply that too on request.

For more information check out these links

• WorkSafe NZ – Hazardous Substances Management
  👉 WorkSafe NZ – Hazardous substances

• EPA NZ – HSNO Act guidance
  👉 EPA NZ – Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act

• United Nations GHS
  👉 UN – Globally Harmonized System (GHS)  

FAQs

Q1: Which Class 9 design should I choose?
Use with wording for vehicles/containers where long-range recognition helps operators and responders. Use the word-free UN label for packages and export work, or when you want one design that’s language-neutral.

Q2: What size do I need?
Packages generally require 100 mm labels. For transport placards, 250 mm is the minimum; choose 400/600/800 mm to improve sight distance at yards, depots and on the road.

Q3: Do you offer magnetic Class 9 placards?
Yes—250 mm magnetic placards for temporary loads or leased trailers. They sit flat, won’t damage paint, and are easy to remove when the vehicle isn’t carrying DG.

How to choose the right mounting options for the Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods Sign.

Corflute: short term less than 2 years outdoors

Thin PVC: Medium term, more than 2 years

ACM: Long term 5 years or more

Supplied as a sticker:

long term digital print laminated for long term use. With a life of 5 years or more. We use a Hi Tac vinyl which allows it to be applied most surfaces.

Magnetic mounting option

Flexible, vehicle-grade magnetic placards with the Class 9 black/white diamond printed on premium vinyl, laminated, and mounted to automotive magnetic sheeting. They stick to ferrous steel panels and remove without residue—ideal for vehicles that only carry DG sometimes.

Who they’re for

• Contractors / couriers who transport Class 9 occasionally

• Hire or multi-use vehicles (no permanent signage)

• Sites that swap classes depending on load (quick changeover)

• Size: 250 × 250 mm (meets common road minimums).

• Magnet: vehicle-grade sheet, 0.8–1.0 mm thick (30–40 mil), high-energy.

• Face film: outdoor self-adhesive vinyl + UV laminate (gloss).

• Operating temp: suitable from winter cold to summer heat (typical automotive range).

• Print: high-contrast black/white artwork.

Where they work (and don’t)

• Works on: painted steel panels that are flat, clean, and smooth.

• Doesn’t work on: aluminium, stainless, plastics, composites, heavy body filler; vinyl wraps, ceramic coatings, heavily textured paint.

• If customers have aluminium doors/ute trays, suggest self-adhesive or rigid ACM instead.

Fitment checklist

1. Clean & dry the panel (no wax/polish).

2. Warm, flat magnet—no curl.

3. Apply to flat steel only; press from centre out.

4. Do not bridge panel gaps, ribs or sharp curves.

5. Remove daily to clean/dry both surfaces; store flat.

6. In heavy rain/highway speeds, check edges haven’t lifted.

Care & maintenance

• Remove and wipe after wet weather; store flat (never rolled tight).

• Move position slightly each week to avoid differential fading.

• Avoid use on freshly resprayed paint (allow full cure).

Compliance note

• Magnet is a mounting method. The operator must ensure placards are the correct class, size, and securely affixed for the journey. Some carriers or site rules may require permanent/rigid placards—check your procedure.

For further information go to the Worksafe website https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/hazardous-substances/managing/hazardous-substances-signs/

NZS/AS 1319:1994 advocates simplicity and clarity in safety signage. To be effective, they should be easy to read and interpret at a glance.

The Standard is about the use of legible text and appropriate, simple symbols.

By simplifying the message, it reduces the risk of misinterpretation, which increases the chances of the sign’s warning or instruction being followed.

Enhancing the signs visibility through placement and colour

Placement and visibility will play a crucial role in the efficiency of safety signs.

The standard states that signs must be positioned near the hazard they are warning about, which ensures that the safety message is relevant. Also it advocates the use of contrasting colours for the background and lettering. This attention to the colour scheme will increase visibility and readability from a reasonable distance, which ensures the message is accessible.

The mission of Hazard Signs NZ is to provide quality-made safety signs to all of New Zealand. Our great prices and convenient online ordering platform make us a preferred supplier to many NZ businesses. All our signs are designed and manufactured in Invercargill to meet the workplace health and safety needs of all businesses and industries in New Zealand.

Please note. We make some of our safety signs to order and it may take 5 to 10 business days to receive. If you require your order urgently, please don’t hesitate to contact us to confirm an estimated delivery date prior to placing your order.

If you are not sure about what sign you need for your business, just contact us at +6432183350 or email us and we will make it ready for you.