UN Approved Packaging Suppliers

UN Approved Packaging is packaging that has been specifically designed, tested and certified by the United Nations to enable the safe transportation of dangerous goods via road, sea, rail or air. This specialised packaging system ensures hazardous materials are properly contained during transport, preventing leaks, spills, contamination or exposure that could pose risks to people, animals, property or the environment. UN approved packaging undergoes rigorous testing procedures to meet strict international performance standards set by the UN Model Regulations. The testing is conducted by independent test stations appointed by national competent authorities, who ensure packages can withstand the physical stresses of transportation including drops, vibrations, pressure changes and stacking loads.

UN packaging requirements are comprehensive standards that focus on dangerous goods transportation, with the level of stringency depending on the risk posed by the materials being transported. The main objective is to prevent accidents and contain hazardous substances should packaging become compromised during transit. The requirements include several key elements: Design and Testing Standards: Packaging must pass specific performance tests including drop tests, pressure tests, stack tests, vibration tests and leakproofness testing. The height requirements for drop tests vary based on packing group – high danger materials (Packing Group I) must survive drops from at least 1.8 metres, medium danger (Packing Group II) from 1.2 metres, and low danger (Packing Group III) from 0.8 metres. Certification Process: Packaging designs must be approved by national competent authorities (in the UK, this is the Secretary of State for Transport through the Vehicle Certification Agency). Successfully tested designs receive a unique UN approval mark that can be applied to all serially produced packaging conforming to the same specification. Proper Assembly and Use: Certified packaging must be used strictly according to approval documents, with suppliers required to provide test reports and clear instructions covering assembly methods, closure procedures, and compatibility requirements.

Dangerous goods are classified into nine main classes based on the nature of the hazard they present: Class 1: Explosives – Substances and articles with explosive properties, subdivided into six categories based on mass explosion hazard, projection hazard, and fire hazard levels. Examples include fireworks, ammunition, and detonators. Class 2: Gases – Compressed gases, liquefied gases, and gas mixtures with three divisions: flammable gases (2.1), non-flammable non-toxic gases (2.2), and toxic gases (2.3). Examples include butane, oxygen, and chlorine. Class 3: Flammable Liquids – Liquids with flash points of 60°C or less, such as petrol, alcohol, paints, and essential oils. Class 4: Flammable Solids – Three divisions covering flammable solids (4.1), spontaneously combustible substances (4.2), and substances that emit flammable gases when in contact with water (4.3). Class 5: Oxidising Substances and Organic Peroxides – Two divisions for oxidising substances (5.1) that can cause or contribute to combustion, and organic peroxides (5.2). Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances – Two divisions for toxic substances (6.1) that can cause death or injury if consumed, and infectious substances (6.2) containing pathogens. Examples include pesticides, medical waste, and patient specimens. Class 7: Radioactive Materials – Substances containing unstable atoms that emit ionising radiation, such as uranium, medical isotopes, and x-ray equipment. Class 8: Corrosives – Substances that cause chemical reactions degrading other materials, including acids, battery fluid, and corrosive cleaners. Class 9: Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods – Materials presenting dangers not covered by other classes, including lithium batteries, dry ice, asbestos, and magnetised materials.

UN packaging codes are comprehensive marking systems that provide essential information about the packaging’s specifications, performance capabilities, and manufacturing details. These multi-part codes appear on all UN certified packaging and must be understood to ensure proper usage. Package Type and Material: The first part identifies the container type (numbered 0-6) and construction material (designated by letters). For example, “4G” indicates a fibreboard box (4 = box, G = fibreboard), while “1A1” represents a closed-head steel drum. Packing Group Performance: The second section shows which packing groups the packaging is certified for, indicated by letters X, Y, or Z. “X” means suitable for all packing groups (I, II, III – highest performance), “Y” for medium and low danger groups (II, III), and “Z” for low danger only (III). Weight and Capacity Specifications: Numbers following the packing group letter indicate either maximum gross weight in kilograms for solids or maximum specific gravity for liquids. Manufacturing Information: Additional codes show the year of manufacture, country of approval (such as “GB” for Great Britain), and the manufacturer’s unique identification code. Example Code Breakdown: “UN 4G/Y23/S/24/GB/ABC123” translates to: UN certified fibreboard box, suitable for packing groups II and III, maximum 23kg gross weight, for solids, manufactured in 2024, approved in Great Britain by manufacturer ABC123. These codes ensure handlers can quickly verify packaging suitability for specific dangerous goods while maintaining compliance with international transport regulations.