What does the UN mean in UN 1072?

Question

What does the UN mean in UN 1072?

Answer 1

It's just an ID number, I don't think the letters have any specific meaning.

DOT PROPER SHIPPING NAME

Oxygen, compressed

IATA PROPER SHIPPING NAME

HAZARD CLASS 2.2 (5.1)

ID NUMBER UN1072

LABELS * N, * O

CAS NUMBER 7782-44-7

SCHEDULE B NUMBER 2804.40.0000

ZONE N/A

Answer 2

United Nations (no, I'm not kidding).

This (and other code numbers) is part of the "United Nations Orange Book", which provides recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods.

This is probably one of the lesser known activities of the UN...