Which factor is evaluated to determine the classification of an explosive article?

• A. The color of the packaging
• B. The price of the article
• C. The packaging weight
• D. The composition of the substance or the structure of the article

Answer: (D)

Classification of an explosive article is determined by its composition or the structure of the article because those factors define the material’s hazard characteristics—what it is made of and how it is put together control how it behaves, its sensitivity, energy release, and overall risk during transport. This information directly sets the appropriate hazard class, packing group, and handling and labeling requirements.

Packaging color, price, or packaging weight don’t reveal these hazard properties. The color is cosmetic, price is unrelated to chemical or energetic behavior, and packaging weight only reflects quantity, not the inherent hazard or regulatory classification.