Dangerous goods are transported all over the world. The number of regulations to be observed is correspondingly great. There are very comprehensive national and international laws, guidelines, agreements and regulations.

In these, the requirements for classification, packing, identification, the technical equipment of conveyances for dangerous goods are exactly described. Organizational measures, obligations and responsibilities of those involved in the transport are specified.

For historical reasons the regulations for the individual transport modes - rail, road, inland shipping, ocean shipping, air transport – are described separately. In the past these different regulations have been increasingly harmonized.

The regulations are continually being adapted to new requirements and developments. Knowledge gained from the analysis of incidents involving dangerous goods is also continually developing.