Another tendency is to instinctively consider the word approval as a synonym of general validity. This assumption can put those who are responsible for the logistics and purchasing departments of companies handling hazardous products into dangerous situations.

Additional information on approving dangerous goods packaging can help to clarify.

Packaging with the same approval may have qualitative differences: how to avoid dangerous items

We propose a simple example: the case of any two approved UN 4G boxes, apparently identical, destined for the same type of transport, but purchased from two different suppliers. Aspect, size and colour of the boxes could correspond, yet the performance of the two articles for the use to which they are destined may not coincide. Even in the absence of apparent defects, one of the two boxes could preserve the integrity of the goods while the other prove to be unfit, with consequent problems, material losses and/or serious risks to people’s safety and the surrounding environment.

It may seem surprising, but the dissimilar properties of the boxes can originate from the approval process being carried out by different entities.

It is, in fact, crucial to know that there are some institutions that issue official certifications that are in all purposes valid, despite incomplete testing.

The right choice to make here is to favour those that, like Serpac, offer products approved by leading certification bodies (those that actually carry out the tests), and so bring quality packaging into the company and minimize any potential dangers.

Considering an approval valid, though issued in the absence of meticulousness in the test procedures, means exposing yourself to potential risks and unpleasant emotional tension. In these situations, in fact, peace of mind is only restored when one receives news of the goods arriving to their destination intact.

When in doubt about the containers already in use at your company, especially if purchased from a supplier at discounted prices, it is advisable to deepen the issue by checking the certification issued for that type of container and making sure its approval doesn’t provide only superficial information. Serpac is available to provide support even during this phase.

The documentation must contain information on the certification body, the reference legislation, information on the prototype, limitations of the packaging, expected markings, date of issue and above all detailed information on the types of internal packaging or the type of product that can be used in combination with it. In particular, it is useful to view the test report, which is part of the approval documentation, as this specifies all the tests to which the prototypes have been subjected. This report contains the constructionOvercoming another danger: approvals that are not valid for all modes of transportSuperare un altro pericolo: le omologazioni non valide per tutte le modalità di trasporto

Overcoming another danger: approvals that are not valid for all modes of transport

Approved packaging does not automatically mean that it is perfectly in order from a regulatory point of view. In fact, some articles may appear to be compliant, since they are approved for a particular mode of transport (e.g. by land), but in fact, are not, as they will be handled in a different way (e.g. by air), or with intermodal transport (more than one vehicle).

In order not to make mistakes of this type, it is important to verify that the approval concerns all types of transport (ADR, RID, ADN, IMDG, ICAO).

A quality UN approval that corresponds to all modes of transport is therefore the ideal starting point to begin from when transporting dangerous goods. Notwithstanding of course, compliance with loading limitations, conditions, packing instructions and any special provisions.