There has always been some degree of risk involved in transporting dangerous goods (DG)/hazmat, with the responsibility for compliance typically assigned solely to the compliance or shipping department.

Coatings and coatings-related material are all regulated as hazardous materials (hazmat) when shipped by ground, air, ocean or rail. Businesses that ship hazmat by air must comply with international rules set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), an agency of the United Nations.