The requirements of this Chapter do not apply to:
(a) Packages containing radioactive material of Class 7, unless otherwise provided (see 4.1.9);
(b) Packages containing infectious substances of Class 6.2, unless otherwise provided
(see Chapter 6.3, Note and packing instruction P621 of 4.1.4.1);
(c) Pressure receptacles containing gases of Class 2;
(d) Packages whose net mass exceeds 400 kg;
(e) Packagings for liquids, other than combination packagings, with a capacity exceeding
450 litres.
The requirements for packagings in 6.1.4 are based on packagings currently used. In order to take into
account progress in science and technology, there is no objection to the use of packagings having
specifications different from those in 6.1.4, provided that they are equally effective, acceptable to the
competent authority and able successfully to withstand the tests described in 6.1.1.3 and 6.1.5.
Methods of testing other than those described in this Chapter are acceptable, provided they are
equivalent, and are recognized by the competent authority.
Every packaging intended to contain liquids shall successfully undergo a suitable leakproofness test.
This test is part of a quality assurance programme as stipulated in 6.1.1.4 which shows the capability
of meeting the appropriate test level indicated in 6.1.5.4.3:
(a) Before it is first used for carriage;
(b) After remanufacturing or reconditioning, before it is re-used for carriage;
For this test, packagings need not have their own closures fitted.
The inner receptacle of composite packagings may be tested without the outer packaging provided the
test results are not affected.
This test is not necessary for:
- Inner packagings of combination packagings;
- Inner receptacles of composite packagings (glass, porcelain or stoneware), marked with the
symbol "RID/ADR" according to 6.1.3.1 (a) (ii);
- Light gauge metal packagings, marked with the symbol "RID/ADR" according to
6.1.3.1 (a) (ii).
Packagings shall be manufactured, reconditioned and tested under a quality assurance programme
which satisfies the competent authority in order to ensure that each packaging meets the requirements
of this Chapter.
NOTE: ISO 16106:2006 "Packaging – Transport packages for dangerous goods – Dangerous
goods packagings, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and large packagings – Guidelines for the
application of ISO 9001" provides acceptable guidance on procedures which may be followed.
Manufacturers and subsequent distributors of packagings shall provide information regarding
procedures to be followed and a description of the types and dimensions of closures (including
required gaskets) and any other components needed to ensure that packages as presented for carriage
are capable of passing the applicable performance tests of this Chapter.
Code for designating types of packagings
The code consists of:
(a) An Arabic numeral indicating the kind of packaging, e.g. drum, jerrican, etc., followed by;
(b) A capital letter(s) in Latin characters indicating the nature of the material, e.g. steel, wood, etc.,
followed where necessary by;
(c) An Arabic numeral indicating the category of packaging within the kind to which the
packaging belongs.
In the case of composite packagings, two capital letters in Latin characters are used in sequence in the
second position of the code. The first indicates the material of the inner receptacle and the second that
of the outer packaging.
In the case of combination packagings only the code number for the outer packaging is used.
The letters "T", "V" or "W" may follow the packaging code. The letter "T" signifies a salvage
packaging conforming to the requirements of 6.1.5.1.11. The letter "V" signifies a special packaging
conforming to the requirements of 6.1.5.1.7. The letter "W" signifies that the packaging, although of
the same type indicated by the code, is manufactured to a specification different to that in 6.1.4 and is
considered equivalent under the requirements of 6.1.1.2.
The following numerals shall be used for the kinds of packaging:
l. Drum
2. (Reserved)
3. Jerrican
4. Box
5. Bag
6. Composite packaging
7. (Reserved)
0. Light gauge metal packagings
The following capital letters shall be used for the types of material:
A. Steel (all types and surface treatments)
B. Aluminium
C. Natural wood
D. Plywood
F. Reconstituted wood
G. Fibreboard
H. Plastics material
L. Textile
M. Paper, multiwall
N. Metal (other than steel or aluminium)
P. Glass, porcelain or stoneware
NOTE: Plastics material is taken to include other polymeric materials such as rubber.
The following table indicates the codes to be used for designating types of packagings depending on
the kind of packagings, the material used for their construction and their category; it also refers to the
sub-sections to be consulted for the appropriate requirements:
Kind
|
Material
|
Category
|
Code
|
Sub-section
|
1. Drums
|
A. Steel
|
non-removable head
|
1A1
|
6.1.4.1
|
removable head
|
1A2
|
B. Aluminium
|
non-removable head
|
1B1
|
6.1.4.2
|
removable head
|
1B2
|
D. Plywood
|
|
1D
|
6.1.4.5
|
G. Fibre
|
|
1G
|
6.1.4.7
|
H. Plastics
|
non-removable head
|
1H1
|
6.1.4.8
|
removable head
|
1H2
|
N. Metal, other than steel or aluminium
|
non-removable head
|
1N1
|
6.1.4.3
|
removable head
|
1N2
|
2. (Reserved)
|
3. Jerricans
|
A. Steel
|
non-removable head
|
3A1
|
6.1.4.4
|
removable head
|
3A2
|
B. Aluminium
|
non-removable head
|
3B1
|
6.1.4.4
|
removable head
|
3B2
|
H. Plastics
|
non-removable head
|
3H1
|
6.1.4.8
|
removable head
|
3H2
|
4. Boxes
|
A. Steel
|
|
4A
|
6.1.4.14
|
B. Aluminium
|
|
4B
|
6.1.4.14
|
C. Natural wood
|
ordinary
|
4C1
|
6.1.4.9
|
with sift-proof walls
|
4C2
|
D. Plywood
|
|
4D
|
6.1.4.10
|
F. Reconstituted wood
|
|
4F
|
6.1.4.11
|
G. Fibreboard
|
|
4G
|
6.1.4.12
|
H. Plastics
|
expanded
|
4H1
|
6.1.4.13
|
solid
|
4H2
|
N. Metal, other than steel or aluminium
|
|
4N
|
6.1.4.14
|
5. Bags
|
H. Woven plastics
|
without inner liner or coating
|
5H1
|
6.1.4.16
|
sift-proof
|
5H2
|
water resistant
|
5H3
|
H. Plastics film
|
|
5H4
|
6.1.4.17
|
L. Textile
|
without inner liner or coating
|
5L1
|
6.1.4.15
|
sift-proof
|
5L2
|
water resistant
|
5L3
|
M. Paper
|
multiwall
|
5M1
|
6.1.4.18
|
multiwall, water resistant
|
5M2
|
Kind
|
Material
|
Category
|
Code
|
Sub-section
|
6. Composite packagings
|
|
|
6HA1
|
|
|
ter steel crate or box
|
6HA2
|
with outer aluminium drum
|
6HB1
|
6.1.4.19
|
with outer aluminium crate or box
|
6HB2
|
with outer wooden box
|
6HC
|
with outer plywood drum
|
6HD1
|
with outer plywood box
|
6HD2
|
with outer fibre drum
|
6HG1
|
with outer fibreboard box
|
6HG2
|
with outer plastics drum
|
6HH1
|
with outer solid plastics box
|
6HH2
|
. Glass, porcelain or
|
with outer steel drum
|
6PA1
|
|
te or box
|
6PA2
|
6.1.4.20
|
with outer aluminium drum
|
6PB1
|
with outer aluminium crate or box
|
6PB2
|
with outer wooden box
|
6PC
|
with outer plywood drum
|
6PD1
|
with outer wickerwork hamper
|
6PD2
|
with outer fibre drum
|
6PG1
|
with outer fibreboard box
|
6PG2
|
with outer expanded plastics packaging
|
6PH1
|
with outer solid plastics packaging
|
6PH2
|
7. (Reserved)
|
0. Light gauge metal packagings
|
A. Steel
|
non-removable head
|
0A1
|
6.1.4.22
|
removable head
|
0A2
|
Kind
|
Material
|
Category
|
Code
|
Sub-section
|
6. Composite packagings
|
|
|
6HA1
|
|
|
ter steel crate or box
|
6HA2
|
with outer aluminium drum
|
6HB1
|
6.1.4.19
|
with outer aluminium crate or box
|
6HB2
|
with outer wooden box
|
6HC
|
with outer plywood drum
|
6HD1
|
with outer plywood box
|
6HD2
|
with outer fibre drum
|
6HG1
|
with outer fibreboard box
|
6HG2
|
with outer plastics drum
|
6HH1
|
with outer solid plastics box
|
6HH2
|
. Glass, porcelain or
|
with outer steel drum
|
6PA1
|
|
te or box
|
6PA2
|
6.1.4.20
|
with outer aluminium drum
|
6PB1
|
with outer aluminium crate or box
|
6PB2
|
with outer wooden box
|
6PC
|
with outer plywood drum
|
6PD1
|
with outer wickerwork hamper
|
6PD2
|
with outer fibre drum
|
6PG1
|
with outer fibreboard box
|
6PG2
|
with outer expanded plastics packaging
|
6PH1
|
with outer solid plastics packaging
|
6PH2
|
7. (Reserved)
|
0. Light gauge metal packagings
|
A. Steel
|
non-removable head
|
0A1
|
6.1.4.22
|
removable head
|
0A2
|
Marking
NOTE 1: The marks indicate that the packaging which bears them correspond to a successfully tested
design type and that it complies with the requirements of this Chapter which are related to the
manufacture, but not to the use, of the packaging. In itself, therefore, the mark does not necessarily
confirm that the packaging may be used for any substance: generally the type of packaging (e.g. steel
drum), its maximum capacity and/or mass, and any special requirements are specified for each
substance in Table A of Chapter 3.2.
NOTE 2: The marks are intended to be of assistance to packaging manufacturers, reconditioners,
packaging users, carriers and regulatory authorities. In relation to the use of a new packaging, the
original marks are a means for its manufacturer(s) to identify the type and to indicate those
performance test regulations that have been met.
NOTE 3: The marks do not always provide full details of the test levels, etc., and these may need to
be taken further into account, e.g. by reference to a test certificate, to test reports or to a register of
successfully tested packagings. For example, a packaging having an X or Y mark may be used for
substances to which a packing group having a lesser degree of danger has been assigned with the
relevant maximum permissible value of the relative density1 determined by taking into account the
factor 1.5 or 2.25 indicated in the packaging test requirements in 6.1.5 as appropriate, i.e. packing
1 Relative density (d) is considered to be synonymous with Specific Gravity (SG) and is used throughout this text.
group I packaging tested for products of relative density 1.2 could be used as a packing group II
packaging for products of relative density 1.8 or a packing group III packaging for products of
relative density 2.7, provided of course that all the performance criteria can still be met with the
higher relative density product.
Each packaging intended for use according to the ADR shall bear marks which are durable, legible
and placed in a location and of such a size relative to the packaging as to be readily visible. For
packages with a gross mass of more than 30 kg, the marks or a duplicate thereof shall appear on the
top or on a side of the packaging. Letters, numerals and symbols shall be at least 12 mm high, except
for packagings of 30 litres or 30 kg capacity or less, when they shall be at least 6 mm in height and for
packagings of 5 litres or 5 kg or less when they shall be of an appropriate size.
The marks shall show:
(a) (i) The United Nations packaging symbol

This symbol shall not be used for any purpose other than certifying that a packaging, a
flexible bulk container, a portable tank or a MEGC complies with the relevant
requirements in Chapter 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7 or 6.11. For embossed metal
packagings, the capital letters "UN" may be applied instead of the symbol; or
(ii) The symbol "RID/ADR" for composite packagings (glass, porcelain or stoneware) and
light gauge metal packagings conforming to simplified conditions (see 6.1.1.3, 6.1.5.3.1
(e), 6.1.5.3.5 (c), 6.1.5.4, 6.1.5.5.1 and 6.1.5.6);
NOTE: Packagings bearing this symbol are approved for rail, road and inland
waterways transport operations which are subject to the provisions of RID, ADR and
ADN respectively. They are not necessarily accepted for carriage by other modes of
transport or for transport operations by road, rail or inland waterways which are
governed by other regulations.
(b) The code designating the type of packaging according to 6.1.2;
(c) A code in two parts:
(i) a letter designating the packing group(s) for which the design type has been successfully
tested:
X for packing groups I, II and III;
Y for packing groups II and III;
Z for packing group III only;
(ii) the relative density, rounded off to the first decimal, for which the design type has been
tested for packagings without inner packagings intended to contain liquids; this may be
omitted when the relative density does not exceed 1.2. For packagings intended to
contain solids or inner packagings, the maximum gross mass in kilograms.
For light-gauge metal packagings, marked with the symbol "RID/ADR" according to 6.1.3.1
(a) (ii) intended to contain liquids having a viscosity at 23 °C exceeding 200 mm2/s, the
maximum gross mass in kg;
(d) Either the letter "S" denoting that the packaging is intended for the carriage of solids or inner
packagings or, for packagings (other than combination packagings) intended to contain liquids,
the hydraulic test pressure which the packaging was shown to withstand in kPa rounded down
to the nearest 10 kPa.
For light-gauge metal packagings, marked with the symbol "RID/ADR, according to 6.1.3.1(a)
(ii) intended to contain liquids having a viscosity at 23 °C exceeding 200 mm2/s, the letter "S";
(e) The last two digits of the year during which the packaging was manufactured. Packagings of
types 1H and 3H shall also be appropriately marked with the month of manufacture; this may
be marked on the packaging in a different place from the remainder of the marks. An
appropriate method is:

* The last two digits of the year of manufacture may be displayed at that place. In such a case,
the two digits of the year in the type approval mark and in the inner circle of the clock shall be
identical.
NOTE: Other methods that provide the minimum required information in a durable, visible
and legible form are also acceptable.
(f) The State authorizing the allocation of the mark, indicated by the distinguishing sign used on
vehicles in international road traffic2;
(g) The name of the manufacturer or other identification of the packaging specified by the
competent authority.
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