Transport reference
UN 3138 — Ethylene, acetylene and propylene mixture, refrigerated liquid containing at least 71.5 % ethylene with not more than 22.5 % acetylene and not more than 6 % propylene
Table A of ADR 2025 and the 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table for this number, kept side by side and never merged, plus the CLP label elements of the substances that ship under it.
The two tables are never merged. The same UN number can carry a different packing group, a different proper shipping name and entirely different special provisions in each system. Every value below sits under the name of the jurisdiction it comes from.
01 · Two jurisdictions
UN 3138 in ADR 2025 and in 49 CFR 172.101
The two systems differ for this number on 2 of 5 fields. Special provisions are deliberately absent from this comparison: identical code numbers mean different things in the two systems.
| Field | ADR 2025 Table A, Chapter 3.2 | 49 CFR 172.101 eCFR 2026-08-03 |
|---|---|---|
| Proper shipping name | ETHYLENE, ACETYLENE AND PROPYLENE MIXTURE, REFRIGERATED LIQUID containing at least 71.5 % ethylene with not more than 22.5 % acetylene and not more than 6 % propylene | Ethylene, acetylene and propylene in mixture, refrigerated liquid with at least 71.5 percent ethylene with not more than 22.5 percent acetylene and not more than 6 percent propylene |
| Class or division | 2 | 2.1 |
| Packing group | — | — |
| Label codes | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Rows in the table | 1 | 1 |
Sources: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE) · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03
02 · ADR 2025
UN 3138 in Table A of ADR 2025
One row in Table A of Chapter 3.2. Every value below comes from that row.
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels | Transport category | Hazard ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHYLENE, ACETYLENE AND PROPYLENE MIXTURE, REFRIGERATED LIQUID containing at least 71.5 % ethylene with not more than 22.5 % acetylene and not more than 6 % propylene | 2 | 3F | — | 2.1 | 2 | 223 |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 2 is “Gases” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
Transport category and the 1 000-point exemption
Column (15) of Table A decides whether a load stays under the exemption of ADR 1.1.3.6. Quantities of different categories are added with the multipliers below, and the sum must not exceed 1 000.
| Category | Max total quantity per transport unit | Multiplier in 1.1.3.6.4 | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 333 | × 3 | Packing group II and the listed classes. |
Source: ADR 2025, 1.1.3.6.3 and 1.1.3.6.4 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE).
Carriage provisions — CV codes
| CV11 | Receptacles kept in their intended orientation, protected from falling. |
| CV36 | Preferably loaded in open or ventilated vehicles; if closed, warning about ventilation before entry. · relevant to segregation on the vehicle |
| CV9 | Packages must not be thrown or subjected to impact. |
Source: ADR 2025, 7.5.11 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. II (UNECE)
Not imported and therefore not shown for this number: limited quantities (column 7a), excepted quantities (7b), packing instructions (8), tank codes (10–13) and the tunnel restriction code (15). An empty section is more honest than borrowed text.
03 · United States
UN 3138 in the 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
One row in the Hazardous Materials Table.
| Symbols (1) | Proper shipping name (2) | Class (3) | PG (5) | Labels (6) | Packaging (8) | Quantity limits (9) | Vessel stowage (10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Ethylene, acetylene and propylene in mixture, refrigerated liquid with at least 71.5 percent ethylene with not more than 22.5 percent acetylene and not more than 6 percent propylene | 2.1 | — | 2.1 | §173.None · §173.304 · §173.314, 315 | Forbidden passenger Forbidden cargo | D · 40, 57 |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 2.1 is “Flammable gas” (49 CFR 173.2). Packaging cells are section references into 49 CFR part 173: exceptions, non-bulk, bulk. Handling codes in column 10B are defined in 49 CFR 176.84, which is not part of our import — the numbers are shown as printed in the table.
Vessel stowage categories on this entry
| D | Must be stowed “on deck only” on a cargo vessel or on a passenger vessel within the 25-passenger limit; prohibited on a passenger vessel above that limit. |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101(k) · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03
Special provisions — 49 CFR 172.102
Codes from column (7) of the Hazardous Materials Table, with the text of § 172.102. These are United States provisions only and have nothing to do with the ADR codes above, even where the number is identical.
| T75 | When portable tank instruction T75 is referenced in Column (7) of the § 172.101 Table, the applicable refrigerated liquefied gases are authorized to be transported in portable tanks in accordance with the requirements of § 178.277 of this subchapter. |
| TP5 | For a portable tank used for the transport of flammable refrigerated liquefied gases or refrigerated liquefied oxygen, the maximum rate at which the portable tank may be filled must not exceed the liquid flow capacity of the primary pressure relief system rated at a pressure not exceeding 120 percent of the portable tank's design pressure. For portable tanks used for the transport of refrigerated liquefied helium and refrigerated liquefied atmospheric gas (except oxygen), the maximum rate at which the tank is filled must not exceed the liquid flow capacity of the pressure relief device rated at 130 percent of the portable tank's design pressure. Except for a portable tank containing refrigerated liquefied helium, a portable tank shall have an outage of at least two percent below the inlet of the pressure relief device or pressure control valve, under conditions of incipient opening, with the portable tank in a level attitude. No outage is required for helium. |
Source: 49 CFR 172.102 special provisions · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03
04 · Orange plate
The orange-coloured plate for UN 3138
The upper half of the plate carries the hazard identification number, the lower half the UN number. Dimensions follow ADR 5.3.2.2.1: 400 × 300 mm, black border and dividing line 15 mm, figures 100 mm high.
223 — refrigerated liquefied gas, flammable.
| 2 | Emission of gas due to pressure or to chemical reaction |
| 2 | Emission of gas due to pressure or to chemical reaction · doubled figure — intensification of that hazard |
| 3 | Flammability of liquids (vapours) and gases or self-heating liquid |
Source: ADR 2025, 5.3.2.3 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. II (UNECE). The tunnel restriction code of column (15) is a different value and is not part of our import.
05 · Substances
Substances shipped under UN 3138
Linked by CAS number, never by name: a name match once produced “acetone cyanohydrin” for acetone, and a wrong link here would be a wrong classification. Each entry opens its own reference page with the CLP classification and label elements.
06 · The label side
What UN 3138 looks like on a workplace label
The tables above are the transport classification. This is the other half of the same material: the CLP label elements of the substances linked to this number — what actually goes on the drum once it has been delivered. Transport marks and supply labels answer different regulations and do not replace one another.
Hazard statements on the substances under UN 3138
Source: harmonised classification, EU CLP Annex VI. Transport classification and supply classification are decided under different rules and do not have to agree.
07 · FAQ
UN 3138 — frequently asked questions
What is UN 3138?
UN 3138 is the United Nations number for Ethylene, acetylene and propylene mixture, refrigerated liquid containing at least 71.5 % ethylene with not more than 22.5 % acetylene and not more than 6 % propylene. Under ADR 2025 it is assigned to class 2 (gases), classification code 3F.
Is UN 3138 classified the same way in the United States and in Europe?
No. For UN 3138 the two tables differ on proper shipping name, class or division. Each panel on this page shows its own source; values from one system must not be carried over into the other.
What is the hazard identification number for UN 3138?
The orange-coloured plate for UN 3138 carries the hazard identification number 223 above the UN number. Under ADR 5.3.2.3.2 that number means: refrigerated liquefied gas, flammable.
What is the transport category of UN 3138?
Column (15) of Table A puts UN 3138 in transport category 2. Under ADR 1.1.3.6.3 the maximum total quantity per transport unit for that category is 333.
Which substances ship under UN 3138?
We hold 1 substance linked to UN 3138 by CAS number. Each one has its own reference page with the CLP classification, GHS pictograms and hazard statements that apply on the label — the workplace side of the same material.
Need the plate, the labels or the placards printed?
The orange plate above is a physical article, and so are the class labels in column (5). Our sister site GHSLabels.com covers printing and suppliers. For the workplace label of the same material, use the GHS label constructor, and browse other numbers in the UN number reference.
Reference aid only. Values are reproduced from ADR 2025 and the 49 CFR 172.101 table as published; the consignor remains responsible for the classification of a specific consignment. Always verify against the current published regulation and the supplier's safety data sheet.