DG Placards and EIP Panels: What to Buy for Your NSW Vehicle
To transport a dangerous goods placard load in NSW, your vehicle needs minimum 250 x 250 mm class placards on the front and rear, or 800 x 600 mm Emergency Information Panels (EIPs) on the rear and sides if carrying bulk dangerous goods in tanks or receptacles over 500 L or 500 kg. Sourcing compliant, weather-resistant signage made to Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code standards ensures your vehicle passes roadside inspection by NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) or police officers while preventing heavy vehicle compliance delays.
Quick Summary: Fitting compliant dangerous goods signage in NSW requires matching vehicle signs to your specific load type. Packaged placard loads require minimum 250 x 250 mm class placards on the front and rear of rigid trucks (and on the sides of combination units), whereas bulk transport in tanks or containers over 500 L or 500 kg requires 800 x 600 mm Emergency Information Panels (EIPs) on the rear and sides displaying UN numbers, HAZCHEM codes, and emergency contact details. Never use 100 x 100 mm package labels for vehicle placarding. Sourcing compliant equipment ensures full alignment with ADG Code rules.
Selecting the Right Dangerous Goods Signage for NSW Transport
Outfitting a commercial truck, ute, or tanker in New South Wales requires selecting vehicle signage that meets the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail (ADG Code Edition 7.9). Transport operators must distinguish between individual package labels, standard vehicle class placards, and Emergency Information Panels (EIPs). Purchasing incorrect sign sizes or materials can lead to heavy vehicle defect notices or roadside fines during enforcement checks.
Before buying signage, evaluate your cargo profile. If your vehicle carries packaged goods in drums or boxes above placard thresholds, standard class diamond placards are required. If carrying bulk liquids, gases, or powders in road tankers or bulk containers, you must install fully populated EIP panels. For detailed placard load threshold breakdowns, review our guide on dangerous goods placards in NSW.
Dimensional Specifications for Vehicle Class Placards
Vehicle class placards—or class diamonds—must meet strict size standards set out in Chapter 5.3 of the ADG Code. Every class placard displayed on a vehicle must measure at least 250 x 250 mm set in a diamond orientation (45-degree angle). The design includes an internal border line positioned 12.5 mm inside the outer edge. This specification applies across all hazard classes, including Class 2 gases, Class 3 flammable liquids, Class 6 toxic substances, and Class 8 corrosives.
On rigid trucks, class placards must be fixed to the front and rear. On combination units, placards must appear on the front of the towing unit, the rear of the rearmost trailer, and on both sides of each placarded trailer. Crucially, 100 x 100 mm labels are strictly for individual packages. A 100 x 100 mm label must never be used as a vehicle placard, as small labels are unreadable to emergency services from a distance. National safety standards under the ADG Code mandate these exact physical dimensions.
Emergency Information Panel (EIP) Requirements for Bulk Transport
Emergency Information Panels (EIPs) are specialized safety placards required exclusively for bulk transport. Bulk transport applies whenever dangerous goods are carried in a tank, bulk container, or single receptacle exceeding 500 litres capacity or 500 kilograms net mass. Standard EIP panels measure 800 mm wide by 600 mm high. Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) or small tanks up to 3 cubic metres capacity may utilize reduced EIPs measuring at least 400 mm wide by 300 mm high.
An EIP panel must contain six specific fields: Proper Shipping Name, UN Number, HAZCHEM Code, Class/Subsidiary risk labels, Emergency Response wording (“In emergency dial 000, POLICE or FIRE BRIGADE”), and 24/7 Specialist Advice contact details. EIPs must be fitted to the rear and both sides of the vehicle, in a vertical plane with the lower edge at least 450 mm above ground level. Side panels must be placed as close as practicable to the front of the loading area. To compare panel materials, read our guide on EIP panel types compared.
Package Labels vs Placards vs EIPs: Compliance Comparison
Refer to the compliance comparison table outlining dimensions, placement, and triggers for dangerous goods marking.
| Sign Type | Minimum Dimensions | Vehicle or Package Placement | Mandatory Trigger Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package Class Label | 100 x 100 mm | Affixed directly to individual cartons, drums, or packagings | Any individual package containing dangerous goods above limited quantity exemptions |
| Vehicle Class Placard | 250 x 250 mm | Front and rear of rigid trucks; front, rear, and sides of combination units | Packaged dangerous goods loads reaching or exceeding aggregate placard thresholds |
| Emergency Information Panel (EIP) | 800 x 600 mm (400 x 300 mm for IBCs ≤3 m³) | Rear and both sides of vehicle; lower edge ≥450 mm above ground | Bulk transport in tanks, bulk containers, or receptacles >500 L capacity or >500 kg net mass |
Understanding these categories ensures you purchase hardware matching your fleet’s profile. For outer unit marking rules, consult our resource on dangerous goods vehicle marking requirements.
Where to Buy Compliant DG Placards and Mounting Hardware in NSW
When equipping your fleet with heavy-duty metal placards, interchangeable multi-load EIP flip-boards, or vinyl decals, you can source compliant safety equipment directly through Kells Safety Centre to ensure all signs meet the ADG Code’s material, marking and durability requirements.
When purchasing signage, operators must confirm pricing, stock, and precise material specifications directly with the supplier prior to ordering. Vehicle placards face harsh environmental conditions including UV exposure, rain, and road grime. Sub-standard plastic signs or adhesive vinyl can fade or crack, causing non-compliance. Regulatory guidelines managed by the NSW EPA dangerous goods licences division require all vehicle markings to remain clear, legible, and securely fastened at all times.
Under ADG Code section 5.3.9, placards and EIP panels must be removed or effectively covered whenever the vehicle is completely freed of dangerous goods and residue. Modular mounting hardware—such as stainless steel slide-in frames, multi-load flip panels, folding front placard holders, and heavy-duty magnetic backings—allows drivers to quickly change or conceal hazard symbols when transitioning to non-placarded freight.
Required Safety Equipment to Carry Alongside Vehicle Signs
Displaying dangerous goods placards or EIP panels alerts enforcement officers that your vehicle carries a placard load. Under Chapter 12.1 of the ADG Code, any road vehicle carrying a placard load must also carry prescribed emergency safety equipment. Displaying placards without carrying mandatory safety gear is a serious compliance breach.
Key mandatory equipment items include:
- Portable Warning Devices: Minimum three advance warning triangles complying with AS 3790. Road flares must never be used due to ignition risks.
- Fire Extinguishers: Extinguishers rated under Table 12.1 based on load type. Flammable bulk loads require specific load-area extinguishers (such as two 60B units or one 80B unit plus a 20B foam unit) in addition to a cabin-mounted 10B extinguisher.
- PPE & Eye Protection: Eyewash facilities, personal eye protection (goggles or face shields), chemically resistant gloves, and protective overalls matching the hazard class.
Before putting a placarded vehicle on the road, audit your equipment against the DG emergency equipment checklist and verify extinguishers per our guide on fire extinguishers for dangerous goods vehicles. Operational safety standards enforced by Safe Work NSW reinforce keeping all vehicle safety gear in working order.
Key Takeaways
- Vehicle Placard Size: Class placards on vehicles must measure at least 250 x 250 mm with a 12.5 mm internal border. Package labels (100 x 100 mm) must never be used as vehicle signs.
- EIP Panel Dimensions: Standard EIPs measure 800 x 600 mm (400 x 300 mm for IBCs up to 3 m³) and are required exclusively for bulk transport in tanks or receptacles over 500 L / 500 kg.
- Mandatory EIP Layout: EIPs must display Proper Shipping Name, UN Number, HAZCHEM Code, Class/Subsidiary risk labels, Emergency Response wording (“In emergency dial 000…”), and 24/7 specialist advisory phone details.
- EIP Placement: EIP panels must be mounted on the rear and both sides of the vehicle, in a vertical plane with the lower edge at least 450 mm above ground level.
- Removability: Signage must be removed or covered when vehicles are completely freed from dangerous goods and residue.
- Accompanying Equipment: Vehicles displaying placards must carry minimum three AS 3790 warning triangles (no flares), Table 12.1 fire extinguishers, and appropriate PPE.
- Sourcing: Confirm pricing, stock, and material durability with your supplier prior to ordering heavy-duty weather-resistant signage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size must a vehicle dangerous goods placard be in NSW?
Under Chapter 5.3 of the ADG Code, a standard vehicle class placard displayed on a road vehicle must measure at least 250 x 250 mm. The placard is set in a diamond orientation at a 45-degree angle, with an internal border line 12.5 mm inside the outer edge. Class placards must be fixed to the front and rear of rigid vehicles, and on the front, rear, and sides of combination transport units carrying packaged dangerous goods above placard load thresholds.
Can I use 100 x 100 mm labels on the outside of my truck?
No, 100 x 100 mm labels are package labels designed specifically for individual cartons or drums. They do not satisfy ADG Code requirements for vehicle placarding. Displaying 100 x 100 mm labels on a vehicle instead of 250 x 250 mm placards is a compliance breach, as small package labels cannot be read by emergency service personnel or enforcement officers from a safe distance.
What information must be printed on an Emergency Information Panel (EIP)?
An Emergency Information Panel (EIP) must display six mandatory compliance elements: Proper Shipping Name, UN Number, HAZCHEM Code, primary Class Label (and any subsidiary risk labels), emergency statement “In emergency dial 000, POLICE or FIRE BRIGADE”, and the name and 24/7 contact phone number (including area code) of the telephone advisory service.
Are Emergency Information Panels required for packaged dangerous goods loads?
No, Emergency Information Panels (EIPs) are required exclusively for bulk transport, such as road tankers, portable tanks, bulk containers, or individual receptacles exceeding 500 litres capacity or 500 kilograms net mass. A vehicle carrying packaged dangerous goods that reaches a placard load threshold displays standard 250 x 250 mm class placards on the front and rear, not EIP panels.
Where should EIP panels be mounted on a heavy vehicle?
EIP panels must be fitted to the rear and on both sides of the vehicle or tank container. Panels must be mounted in a substantially vertical plane, with the lower edge at least 450 mm above ground level. On side installations, panels must be placed as close as practicable to the front of the vehicle’s loading area to maximize visibility for emergency responders.
What is the difference between single-load and multi-load EIP panels?
A single-load EIP is designed for transport units carrying a single bulk dangerous substance and includes the specific Proper Shipping Name and UN number. A multi-load EIP is used when a vehicle transports multiple bulk dangerous goods of the same or different classes in separate tank compartments. Multi-load EIPs leave the Proper Shipping Name area blank, display the text “MULTI-LOAD”, feature a calculated multi-load HAZCHEM code, and show either the single class label or a mixed class label.
What safety equipment must be carried when displaying DG placards?
Whenever a vehicle displays dangerous goods placards or EIP panels, it must carry mandatory safety equipment specified in Chapter 12.1 of the ADG Code. This includes a minimum of three portable warning triangles complying with AS 3790 (road flares are strictly prohibited due to fire hazards), correctly rated fire extinguishers in the cabin and load area as per Table 12.1, eyewash equipment, and suitable personal protective equipment matching cargo hazards.
Where can I purchase compliant dangerous goods placards and EIP holders in NSW?
Transport operators can source compliant vehicle placards, multi-load flip panels, stainless steel slide-in frames, and vehicle safety gear through professional transport equipment suppliers, including Kells Safety Centre. Always verify pricing, stock availability, and material durability with your supplier prior to ordering to ensure signs withstand harsh Australian weather conditions and UV exposure.
