• What are dangerous goods?
• Which regulations govern transport of dangerous goods?
• What proof is there of the packagings meeting transport regulations?
• How can suitable packagings be selected?
• Can dangerous goods be shipped in uncertified and unmarked packagings?
• What do the registered markings with a United Nations symbol mean?
• What is the difference between a combination packaging and a single packaging?
• What product enquiries should be made?
• What packing checks should be made before dispatch?
• Who is ultimately responsible for the safe, secure and regulation packaging being employed?

1. What are dangerous goods?

Dangerous goods are articles or substances that are capable of posing a significant risk to Health, Safety or to Property when transported.

2. Which regulations govern transport of dangerous goods?

The transport of Dangerous Goods is subject to modal regulations that follow the Recommendations of the U.N. Committee of Experts (The Orange Book).
The relevant modal authorities are the International Civil Aviation Organisation, International Maritime Organisation, ADR/RID (Road/Rail in Europe) - who each publish their own legally enforceable regulation manuals.

3. What proof is there of the packagings meeting transport regulations?

A Certificate of Packaging Performance is available for each U.N. certificated packaging as well as a full test report should that be necessary.
The certificates are issued by State nominated testing stations.

4. How can suitable packagings be selected?

Air Sea Containers offers expert advice and technical expertise from a large product range held in stock.

5. Can dangerous goods be shipped in uncertified and unmarked packagings?

No. There are heavy penalties applied to shippers and agents attempting to ship dangerous goods contrary to regulations.

6. What do the registered markings with a United Nations symbol mean?

See Registered Markings graph.

7. What is the difference between a combination packaging and a single packaging?

A U.N. approved combination packaging consists of a specific inner packaging e.g. Glass Bottle(s) (IP2) or Tinplate Steel Drum(s) (IP3) within a specific outer packaging e.g. a Fibreboard box (4G), tested in particular conformations and packed in accordance with assembly instructions. The combination packaging marking is on the outer packaging, the approved inner packaging is not necessarily marked.
Subject to transport regulations, a single packaging can ship products without an outer casing e.g. a steel or plastic drum. It will be marked as shown above.

8. What product enquiries should be made?

Important questions to be answered on the dangerous goods to be packaged:-

• What class is the product? (e.g. Class 8 Corrosive)
• Which packaging group is it? (e.g. Group 1 - Great Danger)
• What is proper shipping name? e.g. Sulphuric Acid)
• What is U.N. identification number? (e.g. UN1830)
• Is the product liquid or solid? (e.g. Liquid)
• What type of container is it usually shipped? (e.g. Plastic)
• Is a single packaging required? (e.g. Drum)
• Is a combination packaging required?(e.g. Bottle in a box)
• What is mode of transport? (e.g. Air, Sea or Land)
• What is the total quantity to be shipped? (e.g. 100 litres)
• What is the unit quantity to be shipped? (e.g. 5 litres)
• Are there any special requirements needed?

9. What packing checks should be made before dispatch?

The shipper is responsible for making the following checks before a package is dispatched:

• Is the dangerous product compatible with the container?
• Is it compatible with the closure e.g. seal or wad?
• Does the container meet temperature and pressure requirements?
• Is the closure tightened to the correct torque?
• If in a single packaging is it U.N. marked and certified to meet the packing requirements, e.g. specific gravity, weight or group?
• If in a combination packaging is the INNER CONTAINER approved within the OUTER PACKAGING?
• Is vermiculite absorbent filling required?
• Has the packaging been marked and labelled correctly?
• Have the General packaging requirements been met?
• Are all shipping documents correct?

10. Who is ultimately responsible for the safe, secure and regulation packaging being employed?

The United Nations Certification does not necessarily mean that the packaging is suitable for a particular product. The shipper must take into account matters of compatibility, temperature, pressure, specific gravity, weight, absorbent filling and other requirements such as the torque of the closure.
These issues and others come under the heading of General Packaging Requirements which override all certifications and are the responsibility of the shipper, who in signing the shippers declaration form takes on personal liability in addition to any corporate liability.