IMDG CODE UN PACKING CODE

IMDG CODE UN PACKING CODE

The United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods has established a uniform international system for identifying and packaging Class 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8 and 9 dangerous goods for transport. These UN requirements are found in standard

CAN/CGSB 43.150-97 “Performance Packaging for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods”. Here’s a summary:

How the UN Packaging System Works

The UN Committee has assigned all dangerous goods to one of three Packing Groups: Packing Group I (high danger), II (medium danger) and III (low danger). The list of dangerous goods and the Packing Group for each can be found in the ICAO Technical Instructions, the IMDG Code or the TDG Regulations. The Committee has also developed what is referred to as ‘UN packaging’. UN packagings have been performance tested for their resistance to drop, stacking and internal pressure, the severity of the test varying with the Packing Group. Each packaging is marked with a code that indicates the type of packaging, Packing Group, form (liquid or solid), relative density, inner packagings, etc. for which the packaging was tested by the manufacturer and can, therefore, be used.

It is the shipper’s responsibility to select the appropriate packaging for dange rous goods. Shippers should become familiar with the code used in the UN package mark. To select a UN packaging that is suitable for their product, they need the following information:

•the Packing Group for their product,

•the compatability of their product with the packaging material,

•the vapour pressure at 55ºC or 50°C and the relative density (liquids),

•the net mass (solids).

The UN Package Mark

Here’s a typical UN package mark,

1. UN Symbol

2. Packaging Code:

3. Packing Group:

X – acceptable for Packing Groups I, II and III substances

Y – acceptable for Packing Groups II and III substances only

Z – acceptable for Packing Group III substances only

4.The relative density (liquids. If the relative density isn’t marked, it is considered to be 1.2) or the gross mass in kg (solids) for which the packaging was tested.

5. The hydrostatic test pressure in kPa (liquids) or the letter ‘S’ meaning the package was tested for solids or inner packagings.

6. Year of manufacture.

7. Country code for the country authorizing the allocation of the mark.

8. Name or registered symbol of the manufacturer.

9. Transport Canada design registration number.

10. Nominal thickness of the material of construction (metal drums only); top

head/body/bottom head

Selecting the Right UN Packaging for the Product

1. Single Packagings. Single packagings are constructed of a single component (e.g., steel drums).

When ordering packaging from a supplier, specify a UN single packaging

•permitted for the product by Part II of standard CAN/CGSB 43.150-97

•with a marked Packing Group at or above that for the product;

•in which the material in contact with the product is compatible with and impermeable to the product;

•with a marked relative density at or above that for the product (liquids);

•with a marked test pressure suitable for the product (liquids):

•with a marked gross mass that is adequate for the product (solids);

•with a nominal thickness 1.1/0.8/1.1 (top head/body/bottom head) or greater if it’s a steel drum over 150 litres capacity and to be reused in Canada for dangerous goods.