Dangerous Goods Signs are essential for identifying hazardous materials and ensuring proper management of risks in workplaces, transport, and storage areas. These signs follow class-specific regulations to clearly communicate dangers associated with flammable, toxic, corrosive, or explosive substances.
Dangerous Goods Signs & Labels – NZ’s Most Comprehensive Range
At Emmjay Safety Sign Factory, we’re proud to offer New Zealand’s largest online range of safety signage, specialising in high-visibility, high-durability solutions for the most demanding environments. In particular, our Dangerous Goods Signs & Labels category delivers the clarity, compliance and quality your workplace needs.
Why this signage is so important
When your facility stores, handles or transports dangerous goods, signage is more than a formality — it’s a critical part of your safety management system. The correct signage:
- Provides instantly visible warning of hazardous materials to staff, contractors, visitors and emergency services.
- Demonstrates compliance with New Zealand’s regulatory requirements under the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (road/rail), Maritime New Zealand (sea), and Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (air) frameworks. Ministry of Transport+2NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi+2
- Helps you fulfil your duties under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 (HSWA) for hazardous substances signage. WorkSafe+1
- Improves safety culture, clarifies risks and helps protect your people and assets from avoidable harm.
Our ‘complete’ solution – what sets Emmjay apart
When you choose Emmjay, you’re choosing more than just a sign. Here’s our value-proposition:
- Extensive range: We stock a full spectrum of dangerous goods signage—from standard Class 1–9 placards, to GHS labels, to custom-site bulk signage.
- Premium durability: All our signs and stickers come with a 5-year UV laminate applied at no extra charge. That means the colours stay bright, the text stays legible and outdoor installations last.
- High-talk self-adhesive vinyl options: For large signage indoors or outdoors, we offer self-adhesive vinyl in high-tack formats so you can apply securely to smooth surfaces—ideal for tanks, containers, plant room walls and more.
- NZ-based specialist: As New Zealand’s specialist in large-sized safety signage, we understand local site conditions, legislation and practical placement requirements.
- Nationwide delivery: We deliver New Zealand-wide with flat-fee shipping, or freight-free for orders over NZ$100. We also offer special pricing for bulk orders, perfect for multi-site roll-outs or large storage facilities.
- Sustainability commitment: We’re proud to be the only safety sign company in NZ supporting sustainability via our one tree planted donations. Every purchase helps contribute to re-forestation efforts. (See our “Eco-News” page here: Emmjay Eco-News)
- Compliance advice included: We don’t just sell signs — we help you pick the right size, material and placement, based on NZ legislation and best practice.
What you’ll find in the Dangerous Goods Signs & Labels category
- Placards for transport & fixed-site use: Diamond-shaped placards for vehicles, containers, tanks and site entrances. Typical classes: Class 1 (Explosives), Class 2 (Gases), Class 3 (Flammable Liquids), Class 4 (Solids), Class 5 (Oxidisers), Class 6 (Toxic/Infectious), Class 7 (Radioactive), Class 8 (Corrosive), Class 9 (Miscellaneous).
- GHS labels & packaging labels: Smaller format labels/digital prints for drums, cartons, chemical containers.
- Fixed signage for storage zones: Signs for hazardous-substances store rooms, outside storage yards, tank farms, dangerous-goods bunds, etc.
- Custom signage options: Add your company logo, custom wording (e.g., “Dangerous Goods – Do Not Enter Without PPE”), bilingual options (English/Te Reo Māori), and extra large sizes for remote visibility.
- Materials & size options: From adhesive vinyl and ACM (aluminium composite) panels to magnetic signs for vehicle fleets. You can choose mini-format (for internal cabinets) to large façade-sized panels (for entrances or storage yards). Based on best practice, sizes range from 250 mm to 800 mm+ for transport placards.
- Placement support: Advice on where to mount (vehicle sides + rear, building entrances, storage rooms), and how to ensure the sign is legible from a safe distance. WorkSafe+1
Compliance & regulatory guidance – what you need to know
To remain compliant in New Zealand when dealing with dangerous goods, take note of the following regulations:
- The Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 (and amendments) sets out classification, packaging, labelling, placarding and transport requirements for land vehicles. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi+1
- NZ Standard 5433:2012 (“Transport of dangerous goods on land”) provides detailed technical specifications including hazard-warning labels and UN numbers. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi+1
- The Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 require signage where hazardous substances are stored, used or manufactured in quantities above thresholds. Legislation New Zealand+1
- The WorkSafe New Zealand guidance for signage emphasises that signs must be legible from no less than 10 metres in varying conditions, durable, and positioned so they are visible before the hazard zone. WorkSafe+1
Helpful resources for your reference:
- NZTA (Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods) – https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/getting-a-licence/licences-by-vehicle-type/transporting-dangerous-or-hazardous-goods NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi+1
- WorkSafe NZ (Hazardous Substances – Signs) – https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/hazardous-substances/managing/hazardous-substances-signs/ WorkSafe+1
- Ministry of Transport (Regulating Dangerous Goods) – https://www.transport.govt.nz/about-us/what-we-do/our-functions/regulating-dangerous-goods/ Ministry of Transport
Why choose Emmjay over other suppliers
There are many sign suppliers out there – but here’s why Emmjay stands apart:
- We specialise in dangerous goods signage and understand the exact requirements for transport placards, storage zone signage, chemical cabinet labels and more.
- Our 5-year UV laminate on all signs and stickers means you won’t have to worry about fading or legibility — even outdoors or in harsh environments.
- We cater to large format signage and high-tack self-adhesive vinyl, giving you flexibility to fit walls, tanks, vehicles, containers and permanent installations.
- We deliver nationwide with flat fee or free freight for orders over NZ$100, and we support bulk order pricing for sites, campuses, fleets or multi-unit installations.
- We’re committed to sustainability — we donate to tree-planting with every purchase, making us the only safety-sign company in NZ currently supporting that initiative.
- Our NZ-based support means you talk to local signage and safety-experts who understand Kiwi workplace, transport and hazardous-substance conditions.
How to choose the right dangerous goods signage for your site
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to selecting the correct signage:
- Identify the hazard classification: Determine the class of dangerous goods (Class 1–9) or the GHS pictogram required. Use NZ Standard 5433 or your transport-document to confirm. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi+1
- Decide on application: Is the signage for vehicle transport (vehicle sides, trailers), for fixed site (tank farms, yards), or for internal containers (drums, pallets)?
- Select material & size: For vehicle placards: typically 250 mm to 800 mm diamonds. For site entrances: larger formats (400–800mm+). For containers/drums: 50–100 mm GHS labels. Choose durable substrates (laminated vinyl, ACM panels, magnetic for vehicles) as explained in the guide.
- Ensure placement visibility: Signs must be visible before the hazard, unobstructed, legible from at least ~10 metres in all conditions. Avoid placing above doors, behind gates or in areas where smoke or objects may obscure them. WorkSafe
- Ensure correct wording/symbols: Check that your sign includes required hazard symbols/pictograms, proper shipping names or class details if required, and that it matches the stored/transported goods.
- Maintain & update: Replace signs if the substances change or quantities exceed thresholds. Ensure all signage remains clean, visible and compliant. WorkSafe
- Bulk & multi-site standardisation: For consistency across sites/fleets, consider ordering standard templates (e.g., your company’s logo + class diamond) and size sets for vehicles and storage zones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I always need dangerous goods placards and labels?
A: If you’re transporting dangerous goods on land in NZ, the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 requires proper packaging, labeling, marking and placarding when thresholds apply. For example, if the load is over 50 kg or 50 L you typically need placards. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi+1 Also for storage of hazardous substances, signage is required under the HSWA regulations. WorkSafe
Q: What about self-adhesive vinyl vs panel signs?
A: Self-adhesive vinyl is ideal for smooth surfaces, containers or walls and when you want a clean applied look; panel signs (ACM, aluminium composite) are better for rugged outdoor sites, permanent mounting, or vehicle usage where adhesion may be compromised. At Emmjay we offer both, with high-tack vinyl options for reliability.
Q: How large should the sign/placard be?
A: For vehicle placards, NZ guidance notes a minimum of 250 mm diamond, but recommends 400 mm or 800 mm for longer sight-distances (tanks, yards) to improve visibility. For storage room signage, sign must be legible from at least 10 m in variable conditions. WorkSafe
Q: Can I customise the signage (logo, wording, bilingual)?
A: Absolutely. We offer custom wording, company logo, bilingual versions (English/Te Reo Māori) and custom sizes/materials — all at competitive pricing.
Q: How do your freight and bulk pricing work?
A: We deliver across New Zealand with a flat-fee freight option; for orders over NZ$100 we offer freight free. If you’re ordering multiple signs, site-wide roll-out or large volumes, we provide bulk order discounts — just ask us for a quote.
Q: You mention sustainability – how does that work?
A: At Emmjay we are committed to environmental responsibility. We’re the only NZ safety sign company donating to tree-planting for every order placed. By choosing us, you’re contributing to re-forestation efforts in Aotearoa. See our Eco-News page for details: https://emmjay.co.nz/eco-news/
Q: How quickly can you dispatch signage?
A: As a New Zealand-based specialist sign factory we have fast lead-times. Stock standard sizes and materials are ready to dispatch — and for custom orders we provide timelines on request. Plus, nationwide delivery means we reach you wherever you are in NZ.
Q: What if the signage requirements or hazard classification of our site changes?
A: No problem — signage must reflect the current state of your site. If you change the class of goods, increase quantities, or change location of storage, you’ll need to update your signage accordingly. At Emmjay we can supply updated signs promptly, and advise on best placement and material.
Get started today
Browse our “Dangerous Goods Signs & Labels” category now. Whether you need:
- A standard Class 3 “Flammable Liquid” diamond for a delivery vehicle,
- A large 600 × 600 mm panel for a storage yard with corrosive/oxidiser hazards,
- Custom signage with your company branding and bilingual text,
- Or a full bulk-order fit-out for new site infrastructure — we’ve got you covered.
Trust Emmjay Safety Sign Factory for your dangerous goods signage — to stay visible, stay compliant, stay safe. Your signage matters. Make it count.
Helpful links & resources
- NZTA – Transporting Dangerous or Hazardous Goods – https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/getting-a-licence/licences-by-vehicle-type/transporting-dangerous-or-hazardous-goods/ NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi+1
- WorkSafe NZ – Hazardous Substances: Signs – https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/hazardous-substances/managing/hazardous-substances-signs/ WorkSafe+1
- Ministry of Transport – Regulating Dangerous Goods – https://www.transport.govt.nz/about-us/what-we-do/our/functions/regulating-dangerous-goods/ Ministry of Transport
We look forward to helping you protect your people, your operations — and your compliance. For any custom requirements, bulk pricing or placement guidance, just get in touch with our team.
Emmjay, helping you to meet your health and safety obligations

















