What are the three packaging groups used in hazmat shipping, and what do they indicate?

• A. Packaging Groups II, I, III indicating mixed levels.
• B. Packaging Groups III, II, I indicating decreasing hazard.
• C. Packaging Groups I, II, III indicating increasing packaging integrity and hazard severity (I most dangerous).
• D. Packaging Groups A, B, C indicating color codes.

Answer: (C)

Packaging Groups I, II, and III are used to show how dangerous a hazmat is and how robust the packaging must be to safely contain it. The higher the hazard, the stronger the packaging has to be, and the more rigorous the tests the packaging must pass. Group I is for the most dangerous materials and requires the toughest, most reliable packaging. Group II covers moderately hazardous materials with medium packaging requirements, and Group III covers materials with lower hazard and the least stringent packaging. The idea is that as hazard severity increases, packaging integrity must also increase to prevent release in transport. That’s why describing the groups as indicating increasing packaging integrity and hazard severity—and noting that I is the most dangerous—is the correct interpretation.