Chemical & Industrial Packaging Testing
Why Chemical and Industrial Packaging Testing Matters
Non-compliant dangerous goods packaging doesn’t make it far. Carriers, customs agencies, and DOT enforcement all inspect shipments, and the consequences of missing or outdated certification range from refused loads to significant fines. Getting packaging certified before it ships is the only way to keep hazardous materials moving.
Packaging Testing & Validation Services
Dangerous Goods Package Testing
Certification testing for non-bulk and bulk packaging, infectious substances, radioactive materials, lighter packaging, and Appendix B compatibility under DOT Competent Authority approval.
The first. And still one of the few.
What We Test for Chemical and Industrial Shippers
Bulk packaging and IBCs
Intermediate bulk containers and large packagings above bulk thresholds have distinct certification requirements under Title 49 CFR and the UN Model Regulations.
Applicable Standards and Methods
Packaging for air transport under IATA DGR
Dangerous goods shipped by commercial air must meet IATA DGR packaging requirements, which specify performance standards for the pressure and handling conditions of air cargo.
Packaging for ocean freight under IMDG Code
Dangerous goods shipped by sea must meet IMDG Code packaging requirements, which cover performance standards for marine transport conditions.
Applicable Standards and Methods
Infectious substance packaging (Category A and B)
DOT and UN regulations specify packaging requirements for biological materials classified as infectious substances. Category A requires more stringent packaging than Category B.
Applicable Standards and Methods
Lighter packaging certification
Lighters shipped as dangerous goods under 49 CFR 173.308(b) require packaging certified to Part 178 performance standards and an LAA number issued by a DOT-authorized Lighter Certification Agency.
Applicable Standards and Methods
Appendix B compatibility testing
Plastic packaging in contact with liquid hazardous materials must demonstrate chemical compatibility and permeability performance under Appendix B test methods.
Applicable Standards and Methods
Radioactive material packaging
DOT regulations and the UN Model Regulations specify packaging requirements for radioactive materials by activity level and hazard category.
Non-bulk packaging for hazardous materials
Title 49 CFR and UN Model Regulations require that packaging for hazardous materials be certified to performance standards before use. Certification covers containers below bulk thresholds.
Applicable Standards and Methods
Accreditations That Apply
Our accreditations determine which standards we test to, which regulatory submissions our results support, and which retailer programs our clients can qualify for.
Our Accreditations
Lighter Certification Agency
ANAB ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation
DOT Third Party Lab Competent Authority Approval
Frequently Asked Questions
The applicable regulatory frameworks differ by transport mode, and each specifies its own packaging performance requirements. A packaging design used for ground transport under Title 49 CFR may also need to meet IATA DGR requirements for air shipments and IMDG Code requirements for ocean freight. Because the UN Model Regulations underpin all three frameworks, packaging certified to UN performance requirements provides a strong foundation for multi-modal compliance. TEN-E can confirm which frameworks apply to your shipment profile and whether a single packaging design can satisfy the requirements across the modes you need.
DOT Third Party Lab Competent Authority approval is a formal U.S. Department of Transportation designation authorizing a testing agency to certify dangerous goods packaging designs and issue the UN certification marks that confirm a packaging design meets Title 49 CFR performance requirements. The designation is held by a limited number of testing agencies in the United States. TEN-E was the first to receive it, holds it at three U.S. locations, and has maintained it since the designation was first issued. Certification from a DOT Competent Authority agency gives packaging documentation the regulatory standing that carriers, customs agencies, and enforcement bodies accept.
Non-bulk packaging covers containers with a liquid capacity under 450 liters (119 gallons), a solid net mass under 400 kg (882 lbs), or a solid capacity under 450 liters. Bulk packaging covers configurations above those thresholds, including intermediate bulk containers and large packagings. Regulatory requirements, performance test standards, and marking requirements differ between the two categories. TEN-E certifies packaging in both categories across all three U.S. lab locations.
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