UN Ratings

Posted in packing regulation

We get customers frequently asking for an explanation of UN ratings.  UN stands for United Nations and the rating designates the performance level for which the container has been tested and certified.  It does not designate product compatibility.

For our item PCI-12379 – 5 gallon liquid pail, the UN Rating is UN1H2/Y1.5/30

UN = United Nations

1 = Drum

H = Plastic

2 = Open Head

Y = Packing Group II and III

1.5 = Maximum Specific Gravity that the container has been tested to hold

30 = Maximum hydrostatic pressure that the container has been tested to hold for 5 minutes

For our 5 gallon white plastic pail – PCI40BWHHTSSL2 the rating is UN1H2/Y25/S

UN = United Nations

1 = Drum

H = Plastic

2 = Open Head

Y = Packing Group II and III

25 = Maximum gross mass the containers has been tested to hold

S = Container is tested to hold solids

A quick guide to understating the ratings is listed below

UN = United Nations

1 = drum

2 = wooden barrel

3 = jerrican

4 = box

5 = bag

6 = composite receptacle

7 = pressure receptacle

The letter following the number above tells what material the container is made from

A = steel

B = aluminum

C = natural wood

D = plywood

F = reconstituted wood

G = fiberboard

H = plastic

L = textile

M = paper

N = metal (other than steel or aluminum)

P = glass, porcelain or stoneware

The following number will be either a 1 (tighthead) or 2 (open head)

Next comes the packing group designation:

X (most hazardous) – can be used for Packing Group I  II  or III

Y (medium hazardous – can be used for Packing Groups II and III only

Z (least hazardous) – can be used for Packaging Group III only

In a container rated for solids – the final number refers to the maxium gross mass the container has been tested to handle

In a container rated for liquids – the final numbers refer to the maximum specific gravity and the maximum hydrostatic pressure that the container can hold for 5 minutes

And the last thing to remember is that you can always choose a container with a UN rating higher than what you need but never pick one with a lower rating.

Tags: hazardous hydrostatic pressure maximum specific gravity un rating

Categories: packing regulation