Protecting hazmat with certified packaging
Marc Martens
Transporting hazardous materials (hazmat) always involves risk. Improper handling or packaging can endanger people, animals, and the environment. To reduce these risks, strict international regulations apply — and compliant, high-quality packaging plays a key role in ensuring safety and reliability.
Strict regulations for shipping hazmat
The United Nations (UN) has established stringent requirements for packaging used in the transport of dangerous goods, especially concerning leak prevention. In addition:
- Packaging materials and closures must prevent contamination of or by the contents
- The materials used may not contain any harmful or hazardous compounds
- Both packaging and closure must be strong, durable, and well-constructed
When hazmat is shipped by air, packaging must also withstand fluctuations in air pressure to avoid deformation or leakage.
Only packaging with a valid UN marking
Hazardous goods may only be transported in packaging that carries a valid UN marking. UN-certified packaging has been subjected to extensive testing — including drop and stacking tests — to prove that it can withstand impact and pressure without losing integrity.
The level of testing depends on the assigned packaging group. Once approved, the UN marking is embossed or printed on the container and remains valid for five years after production.
Determining which packaging to use
Every chemical is assigned a UN number based on its hazard characteristics. This number — listed in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) — specifies how the substance must be transported and which packaging group applies. Each UN marking contains a letter that corresponds with a packaging group (see image below).
| Marking | Packaging group | Danger |
|---|---|---|
| X | I, II & III | High |
| Y | II & III | Medium |
| Z | III | Low |
Regulations then determine, based on the UN number, which type of packaging and UN marking are required, and whether additional criteria must be met.
Because of their construction, CurTec drums, pails, and jars are designed for solids and classified as type 1H2 (open-head plastic packaging for solids).
Each UN marking also indicates the packaging group, year of manufacture, and maximum gross weight that must not be exceeded. Depending on the transport mode — road, rail, sea, or air — further requirements may apply.
Related reading
To learn more about common compliance issues in hazardous goods transport, read the article “Four common hazmat violations” and discover how to avoid them.
Learn more: UN for beginners
Shipping and storing hazardous materials entails high risks — and shared responsibilities. Who is accountable? What factors determine the right packaging? And how can you remain compliant while protecting people and the environment?
Our white paper “UN for beginners” explains the UN system for packaging hazardous solids step by step and helps you make informed, compliant packaging choices. For practical insights into safe and reliable hazmat packaging:
