Hazardous Goods Package Testing
There are over 1 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air. Shipping these dangerous goods like flammable liquids, corrosive chemicals, or toxic substances comes with significant risks. Without proper packaging, these materials could leak, react with their surroundings, or cause harm during transit. As a result, all hazardous goods must successfully pass rigorous package testing before being approved for transportation. Hazardous goods package testing, inclusive of drop testing, leak testing, and more, ensures your packaging can withstand the road hazards experienced during transportation and protect the safety of the individuals involved in this risky method of distribution.
What is Hazardous Goods Package Testing?
How hazardous goods package testing protects people, property,
& the environment.
When shipping hazardous goods, it’s crucial to ensure these toxic or dangerous materials remain securely contained throughout throughout journey. One spill, leak, or chemical reaction could cost millions in environmental damages and even pose a deadly risk to human life. To help regulate the distribution of these goods, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have established strict packaging safety standards. Following these standards is required, whether your product is traveling by ground or by air.
Hazardous goods must be placed in performance-tested packaging, which includes both inner and outer layers specifically designed, evaluated, and certified for secure containment. Once tested and approved, these packaging systems receive United Nations (UN) markings. These markings indicate that the packaging is certified for specific classes of hazardous materials and their respective packing groups.
Failure to follow these regulations can result in significant fines, which is why our team at Purple Diamond is here to help you evaluate and certify your hazardous goods packaging.
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Testing Your Hazardous Goods
Transportation of Hazardous Materials Regulations – 49 CFR Part 178
At Purple Diamond, our experts follow the guidelines established by 49 CFR 178.602 when package testing your dangerous goods. From drop testing to temperature and humidity tests, this testing is done to ensure your hazardous goods package can withstand the stresses it may encounter during transportation and storage.
Drop Testing
Drop testing evaluates the impact resistance of the package by dropping it from a specific height and angle. Following the drop test, the integrity of your packaging will be evaluated to ensure it has remained stable and leak-proof.
Relevant Test Methods:
Compression Testing
Compression testing evaluates the resistance of the hazardous goods package to external forces that may cause it to collapse or deform. This includes stacking tests to determine the package’s ability to withstand stacking forces during transportation.
Relevant Test Methods:
- ASTM D642 - Compression Testing of Shipping Containers
- ASTM D4169 - Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
- ASTM D1621 - Compressive Properties of Rigid Cellular Plastics
Vibration Testing
Relevant Test Methods:
Leak Testing
Leak testing evaluates the ability of the package to contain any hazardous material in case of a leak.
Relevant Test Methods:
- ASTM F2338 - Vacuum Decay Method
- ASTM F2391 - Helium Leak Testing
- ASTM F2096 - Bubble Emission
Internal Pressure Testing
Internal pressure testing is used if your hazardous materials will transport over high altitudes, such as mountainous regions or via air travel. This test method ensures your packaging doesn’t leak or burst under pressure.
Relevant Test Methods:
Temperature & Humidity Testing
Relevant Test Methods:
Ready to put your packaging to the test? Contact our team to get started.
Ensure Safe and Compliant Hazardous Goods Shipping
Partner with us for expert hazardous goods packaging testing and certification services that protect your products, people, and the environment. Contact us today to get started.
Certifying Your Hazardous Goods Packaged Product
Understanding UN/DOT Labeling & Classification
All hazardous goods must be packaged according to their hazard classification and physical attributes. Dangerous goods must also be labeled for clear identification to ensure the safety of all who handle the product during its journey. To simplify identification, the United Nations has developed a standardized index of UN Classes and UN Numbers, providing a consistent system for labeling and identifying hazardous materials.
UN Classes
Dangerous substances and materials are initially placed in one of nine hazard classes, better known as UN Classes. Their class is dependent on their main hazard type. The UN also assigns UN numbers, four-digital numbers that must be displayed on all transit documents and included on packages, shipping containers, and vehicles.
- Class 1 - Explosives
- Class 2 - Gasses
- Division 2.1 Flammable Gasses
- Division 2.2 Non-Flammable, Compressed Gasses
- Division 2.3 Toxic Gas
- Class 3 - Flammable Liquids
- Class 4 - Flammable Solids
- Division 4.1 Flammable Solids, Self-Reactive Substances, and Solid Desensitized Explosives
- Division 4.2 Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion
- Division 4.3 Substances That in Contact with Water Create Flammable Gasses
- Class 5 - Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxide
- Division 5.1 Oxidising Substances Other Than Organic Peroxides
- Division 5.2 Organic Peroxides
- Class 6 - Toxic and Infectious Substances
- Division 6.1 Toxic Substances
- Division 6.2 Infectious Substances
- Class 7 - Radioactive Material and Fissile Material (Capable of Nuclear Explosion)
- Class 8 - Corrosive Substances
- Class 9 - Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles
UN Packaging Codes
The storage and transportation of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) is overseen and regulated by federal and international law. A comprehensive marking system called the UN marking guide was developed so that HAZMAT packaging can describe what type and how much of a material may be transported within a package. A UN code is a universal system of demarcation developed by the United Nations and used internationally for the classification, packaging, marking, and labeling of dangerous goods to better transport them safely. Rigorous testing is required before a UN certification mark can be given.
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| The United Nations Coding/Marking System | |
| Type of Package | 1 = Drums/Pails 2 = Barrels 3 = Jerricans 4 = Boxes 5 = Bags 6 = Composite Packagings |
| Material of Construction | A = Steel B = Aluminum C = Wood D = Fibre F = Reconstituted Wood G = Fiberboard H = Plastic |
| Category Type | 1 = Closed Head 2 = Open Head |
| Packaging Group for Container Tested | X = Packaging Group I, II, and III Y = Packaging Group II and III Z = Packaging Group III Packaging Group I: Great Danger – High Hazard Level Packaging Group II: Medium Danger – Medium Hazard Level Packaging Group III: Minor Danger – Low Hazard Level |
| Maximum Gross Mass or Specific Gravity | Packaging Intended for Solids: (powders, pills, capsules, tablets) or that have inner packaging, this marking will indicate the maximum gross mass (weight) in kilograms. Packaging Intended for Liquids: Density or Specific Gravity of Material Packed |
| Solids or Inner Packaging | Hydraulic Pressure in Kilo-Pascal (kPa) For Packaging Intended for Solids or That Have Inner Packaging, Upper Case “S” Will Follow the Gross Mass |
| Year of Manufacture | Current Year |
| Location of Manufacture | Country Where Container Was Manufactured |
| Manufacturer Code | Code for UN Certifying Agency or Manufacturer |
Why Purple Diamond?
Purple Diamond is proud to rank among a select few companies authorized by PHMSA as an approved third-party hazardous goods package testing laboratory following Hazardous Materials Regulations. We offer rigorous testing for transporting hazardous goods across a wide range of industries, from pharmaceutical and biologics to electronics and other consumer goods.
At Purple Diamond, the integrity of your packaged product is our number one priority during hazardous goods package testing. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality results as we develop a comprehensive solution to your specific testing needs. Our ISO-certified lab is fully equipped to test the strength, pressure resistance, leak resistance, and other attributes of your dangerous materials to help you confidently deliver your goods safely.
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