Hættumat

Hættumat is the Icelandic term for hazardous materials or dangerous goods—substances or articles that pose risks to health, safety, property, or the environment. The category covers a wide range of materials, including chemicals (acids, bases, solvents, oxidizers), flammable liquids and gases, toxic substances, corrosives, explosives, radioactive materials, and biological agents, as well as waste that contains hazardous constituents.

To communicate hazard, products are classified according to hazard classes; labeling uses standardized symbols; safety data sheets (SDS) provide information on hazards, handling, and emergency measures. For transport, dangerous goods must be packed, labeled, and documented with UN numbers, proper shipping names, and hazard classifications.

Regulatory framework: In Iceland and the European Economic Area, the handling and transport of hættumat is guided by EU/EEA safety regulations such as the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, as well as related rules under REACH. Transport-specific requirements apply through systems such as ADR for road, RID for rail, IMDG for sea, and IATA for air. National authorities enforce compliance, provide guidance, and oversee inspections.

Safe management practices include conducting risk assessments, segregation of incompatible materials, containment and ventilation, secondary containment, and maintaining appropriate storage conditions and inventories. Training of workers and clear emergency response plans, along with access to up-to-date SDS, are essential for incident prevention and mitigation.