Dangerous Goods by Road
The pallet or integral base shall be designed so as to avoid any protrusion of the base of the IBC that
might be liable to damage in handling.
The body shall be secured to any detachable pallet to ensure stability in handling and carriage. Where
a detachable pallet is used, its top surface shall be free from sharp protrusions that might damage the
IBC.
Strengthening devices such as timber supports to increase stacking performance may be used but shall
be external to the liner.
Where IBCs are intended for stacking, the bearing surface shall be such as to distribute the load in a
safe manner.
Test requirements for IBCs
Performance and frequency of tests
Each IBC design type shall successfully pass the tests prescribed in this Chapter before being used
and being approved by the competent authority allowing the allocation of the mark. An IBC design
type is defined by the design, size, material and thickness, manner of construction and means of filling
and discharging but may include various surface treatments. It also includes IBCs which differ from
the design type only in their lesser external dimensions.
Tests shall be carried out on IBCs prepared for carriage. IBCs shall be filled as indicated in the
relevant sections. The substances to be carried in the IBCs may be replaced by other substances except
where this would invalidate the results of the tests. For solids, when another substance is used it shall
have the same physical characteristics (mass, grain size, etc.) as the substance to be carried. It is
permissible to use additives, such as bags of lead shot, to achieve the requisite total package mass, so
long as they are placed so that the test results are not affected.
Design type tests
One IBC of each design type, size, wall thickness and manner of construction shall be submitted to the
tests listed in the order shown in 6.5.6.3.7 and as set out in 6.5.6.4 to 6.5.6.13. These design type tests
shall be carried out as required by the competent authority.
To prove sufficient chemical compatibility with the contained goods or standard liquids in accordance
with 6.5.6.3.3 or 6.5.6.3.5 for rigid plastics IBCs of type 31H2 and for composite IBCs of types
31HH1 and 31HH2, a second IBC can be used when the IBCs are designed to be stacked. In such case
both IBCs shall be subjected to a preliminary storage.
The competent authority may permit the selective testing of IBCs which differ only in minor respects
from a tested type, e.g. with small reductions in external dimensions.
If detachable pallets are used in the tests, the test report issued in accordance with 6.5.6.14 shall
include a technical description of the pallets used.
Preparation of IBCs for testing
Paper and fibreboard IBCs and composite IBCs with fibreboard outer casings shall be conditioned for
at least 24 hours in an atmosphere having a controlled temperature and relative humidity (r.h.). There
are three options, one of which shall be chosen. The preferred atmosphere is 23 ± 2 °C and 50% ± 2%
r.h. The two other options are 20 ± 2 °C and 65% ± 2% r.h.; or 27 ± 2 °C and 65% ± 2% r.h.
NOTE: Average values shall fall within these limits. Short-term fluctuations and measurement
limitations may cause individual measurements to vary by up to ± 5% relative humidity without
significant impairment of test reproducibility.