Chemical Safety Databases: 6 Compared for Scope and Reuse (2026)

1.Vektor UN number database, for a route check on a common UN number

We built this table for the 34 substances we see most in road tanker and bulk chemical work. Each row gives class, packing group, hazard identification number and tunnel restriction code, the values needed before a route can be checked. Names are flagged by origin; most are common names.

For anything else, use BAM (entry 2). Our ADR 2027 Table A comparison shows what changes for a UN number in 2027.

Source: vektorgroup.eu

2.BAM DGG-Info, for dangerous goods data straight from the regulations

BAM says its Datenbank GEFAHRGUT condenses the information from the dangerous goods regulations needed for safe transport. The DGG-Info search and the Excel and CSV data service have been fee free since 23 July 2025, in German and English; BAM still labels the search a beta. Substance records carry CAS and EC numbers, with ADR, RID, IMDG, ICAO and ADN data.

BAM's December 2025 update corrected tank data on nine BAM numbers: record the version you used.

Source: dgg.bam.de

3.ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards, for a workplace safety summary by CAS or UN number

Each card summarises fire, exposure, first aid, spillage and storage information for one substance, searchable by name, CAS, UN or ICSC number. The English list holds 1,699 cards. The benzene card, ICSC 0015 of November 2016, shows UN hazard class 3 and pack group II, prepared by experts on behalf of ILO and WHO.

ILO's CC BY 4.0 policy covers its works from 3 May 2023 and sends earlier reproduction requests to rights@ilo.org. As the card reserves all rights, link to it rather than copy it.

Source: chemicalsafety.ilo.org

4.GESTIS, for occupational hazard and CLP classification data

IFA maintains GESTIS for the safe handling of hazardous substances at work and says it covers about 8,800 substances, including GHS classification and labelling under CLP. IFA publishes a table mapping ZVG, CAS, EC and Index numbers for all entries, processed in July 2026.

IFA allows limited citing with the source named and welcomes links to data sheets, but not reposted PDFs, and says breaches may get an IP address blocked.

Source: gestis-database.dguv.de

5.PubChem, for identifying a compound and tracing who supplied each value

PubChem calls itself an open chemistry database at the National Institutes of Health, fed by hundreds of sources from agencies to vendors and publishers. About 5 million compounds carry a CAS number, under about 4% of all known ones, and PubChem says it is not authoritative for them.

A source may state its own licence in the provenance under each value. Record it before you reuse anything.

Source: pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

6.CAMEO Chemicals, for emergency response datasheets by UN/NA number

NOAA built CAMEO Chemicals with the US EPA for emergency responders and planners. It searches by name, CAS or UN/NA number; its UN/NA datasheets take shipping information from the Hazardous Materials Table and response information from the Emergency Response Guidebook. ADR is not named.

Source: cameochemicals.noaa.gov