If a material is not listed by name in the HMR, what is the next step in classification?

• A. Determine if Human Experience Exists
• B. Gather Laboratory Test Data
• C. Determine the Primary Hazard Class
• D. Select the Proper Shipping Name

Answer: (A)

When a material isn’t named in the HMR, you can’t rely on past experience or assumptions to classify it. The immediate step is to gather laboratory test data to establish the material’s true hazards. This empirical information reveals the primary hazard class and any subsidiary hazards, which then guides you in selecting the proper shipping name and applying the correct packaging and labeling requirements. Relying on experience alone isn’t acceptable for regulatory classification. After obtaining the data, you determine the hazard class and proceed to assign the appropriate shipping name and regulatory controls.