The ''UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods'' are contained in th

prepared by the Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods of the

United Nations Economic and Social Council The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC; french: links=no, Conseil économique et social des Nations unies, ) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic and social fields ...

(ECOSOC). They cover the transport of dangerous goods by all modes of transport except by bulk tanker. They are not obligatory or legally binding on individual countries, but have gained a wide degree of international acceptance: they form the basis of several international agreements and many national laws. "Dangerous goods" (also known as "hazardous materials" or "HAZMAT" in the United States) may be a pure

chemical substance A chemical substance is a form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. Some references add that chemical substance cannot be separated into its constituent elements by physical separation methods, i.e., w ...

(for example,

trinitrotoluene Trinitrotoluene (), more commonly known as TNT, more specifically 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, and by its preferred IUPAC name 2-methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, is a chemical compound with the formula C6H2(NO2)3CH3. TNT is occasionally used as a reage ...

(TNT), nitroglycerin), mixtures (for example, dynamite,

gunpowder Gunpowder, also commonly known as black powder to distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It consists of a mixture of sulfur, carbon (in the form of charcoal) and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). Th ...

) or manufactured articles (for example, ammunition,

firework Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices in ...

s). The transport hazards that they pose are grouped into nine classes, which may be subdivided into divisions and/or packing groups. The most common dangerous goods are assigned a

UN number A UN number (United Nations number) is a four-digit number that identifies hazardous materials, and articles (such as explosives, flammable liquids, oxidizers, toxic, toxic liquids, etc.) in the framework of international trade and transport. Some ...

, a four digit code which identifies it internationally: less common substances are transported under generic codes such as "UN1993: flammable liquid, not otherwise specified". The ''UN Recommendations'' do not cover the manufacture, use or disposal of dangerous goods.

History and principles

The first version of the ''Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods'' was produced by the ECOSOC in 1956. From 1996, the ''Recommendations'' were effectively split into two parts: the ''Model Regulations'', which form a suggested drafting for laws and regulations on the transport of dangerous goods; and the ''Manual of Tests and Criteria'', which contains technical information about methods of testing products to ascertain their hazards. The 22nd edition of the ''Recommendations'' was published in 2021. The container requirements include some material and construction requirements but also performance testing is required. The

package testing Package testing or packaging testing involves the measurement of a characteristic or property involved with packaging. This includes packaging materials, packaging components, primary packages, shipping containers, and unit loads, as well as the ...

is based on the packing group (hazard level) of the contents, the quantity of material, and the type of container. The UN recommendations are implemented by regulatory bodies in each country: Transport Canada, United States Department of Transportation, etc. Some carriers have additional requirements.

Pictograms

Notes

References

* * *ASTM D4919- Standard Specification for Testing of Hazardous Materials Packaging *ASTM D7387- Standard Test Method for Vibration Testing of Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) Used for Shipping Liquid Hazardous Materials (Dangerous Goods) *ISO 16104 - 2003 Packaging - Transport packaging for dangerous goods - Test methods * Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002, * Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009,

External links

Dangerous Goods
at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe *
UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations

* ttp://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/tdg/publications-tp14093e-287.htm Drop tests of selected steel drums, InNOVAcorp, 2003. TP 14093E, Transport Canada
Bulk Bags (FIBC - Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers) and The UN Code
{{Portal bar, Politics Chemical safety Safety codes Hazardous materials Packaging United Nations documents

History and principles

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See also

Notes

References

External links