Package Testing Standards DOT / UN / ICAO & IATA / IMDG Regulatory Testing

DOT / UN / ICAO & IATA / IMDG Regulatory Testing

TEN-E holds DOT Third Party Lab Competent Authority approvals at three U.S. locations, authorizing certification of dangerous goods packaging to Title 49 CFR for ground, IATA DGR for air, IMDG Code for sea, and the UN Model Regulations behind all three. TEN-E was the first U.S. agency to receive this approval.

What Regulatory Testing Covers

Regulatory testing for dangerous goods certifies that a packaging design meets the performance requirements of the transport regulations governing the hazardous material and the mode it ships through. Four major frameworks govern dangerous goods packaging internationally: Title 49 CFR for U.S., ICAO / IATA for air, IMDG Code for sea, and the UN Model Regulations that form the international foundation for all dangerous goods regulations. The applicable framework depends on the hazard class of the material, its packing group, and the transport modes the shipment uses. TEN-E certifies packaging under its DOT Competent Authority approval.

Regulatory Frameworks

Select a framework to expand its details, including the transport mode it governs, what it requires, and how TEN-E certifies to it. For the full list of test methods we perform, see Test Methods.

Title 49 CFR U.S. Ground Transport (DOT) Title 49 CFR is the U.S. Department of Transportation's regulation for transporting hazardous materials for all modes of domestic transport. For transport outside the US, the international regulations for the mode of transport should be consulted.

Issuing Body U.S. Department of Transportation

Transport Modes All modes for Domestic Transport (United States)

Test Type Dangerous goods packaging certification

Overview

Title 49 CFR sets the performance requirements for dangerous goods packaging moving by all modes of transport within the United States. Packaging designs must be certified in accordance with the performance-oriented packaging requirements before use. TEN-E holds DOT Third Party Lab Competent Authority approvals at three U.S. locations and was the first U.S. agency to receive the designation, so certifications and UN marks issued by TEN-E carry direct regulatory standing with the DOT, carriers, and enforcement agencies.

Key Parameters

Hazard Class and Packing Group The material's hazard class and packing group (I, II, or III) determine which performance requirements apply and the test severity a design must meet.

Non-Bulk and Bulk Performance Testing Non-bulk packaging in general, have a maximum capacity of 450 liters or less or a maximum net mass of 400 Kg or less. Non-bulk packagings are certified in accordance with 49 CFR Subpart M (178.600 – 178.609).

A bulk packaging, including intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and large packagings, exceed the capacity requirements of non-bulk designs. IBC are tested in accordance with 49 CFR Subpart O (178.800 – 178.819). Large Packagings are tested in accordance with 49 CFR Subpart Q (178.950 – 178.985).

Lighter Certification TEN-E tests lighter packaging to 49 CFR Part 178 and issues Lighter Authorization Approval (LAA) numbers under its Lighter Certification Agency status, as required by 49 CFR 173.308(b).

Appendix B Compatibility Chemical compatibility and permeability of liquid hazardous materials in plastic packaging are tested by three methods: 180 days at ≥18°C, 28 days at ≥50°C, and 14 days at ≥60°C.

Documentation typically covers the packaging design and its hazard class and packing group, each performance test performed, the UN certification mark issued, and pass or fail findings against Title 49 CFR requirements.

UN Model Regulations International Foundation The UN Model Regulations establish the performance-testing baseline that the mode-specific frameworks draw from across transport modes.

Issuing Body United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) - Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

Transport Modes All modes (international foundation)

Test Type Baseline performance testing

Overview

The UN Model Regulations are the international foundation for dangerous goods packaging. Title 49 CFR, ICAO, and IMDG Code each draw their core packaging performance criteria from the UN Model Regulations, so UN performance testing provides the baseline across transport modes. A packaging design that meets UN performance requirements earns the UN certification mark and provides a strong foundation for multi-modal certification.

Key Parameters

Drop Test Drop height is set by the packing group, confirming the packaging survives handling impacts without releasing contents.

Stacking Test The packaging holds a representative stacking load without failure over a defined period.

Internal Pressure Packaging for liquids holds a defined internal pressure without leakage.

Vibration Packagings, IBC and Large Packagings withstand transport vibration.

UN Certification Mark A UN specification mark is placed on the container following the successful completion of the performance test for the specific design type.

Documentation typically covers the packaging design and packing group, each UN performance test performed, the UN certification mark issued, and pass or fail findings against UN Model Regulations requirements.

ICAO Air Transport International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issues the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.

Issuing Body ICAO Technical Instructions

Transport Modes Air

Test Type Air transport compliance

Overview

The ICAO Technical Instructions provides comprehensive guidance to classify, mark, pack, label and document the transport of dangerous goods by air. The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) issued by the air carriers association should also be consulted when shipping by air. Air transport adds considerations such as pressure differential at altitude, and packaging draws on the UN performance basis with air-specific packaging instructions by hazard class.

Key Parameters

Packaging Instructions ICAO assigns packaging instructions by hazard class and quantity, defining acceptable packaging types.

Pressure Differential Packaging for liquids withstands the pressure differential experienced at flight altitude.

UN Performance Basis Certification builds on the UN performance requirements, with air-specific provisions applied.

Documentation typically covers the packaging design and applicable packaging instruction, each performance test performed, and pass or fail findings against ICAO & IATA DGR requirements.

IMDG Code Sea Transport The IMDG Code governs dangerous goods shipped by sea, applying to any dangerous goods moving by ocean freight.

Issuing Body International Maritime Organization

Transport Modes Sea

Test Type Sea transport compliance

Overview

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code governs the transport of dangerous goods by sea. IMDG Code packaging requirements apply to any dangerous goods shipment moving by ocean freight and draw on the UN performance criteria, with marine-specific provisions such as marine pollutant handling. Certification confirms a packaging design meets the requirements for the hazard class and packing group involved.

Key Parameters

UN Performance Basis IMDG packaging requirements build on the UN Model Regulations performance tests.

Marine Pollutant Provisions Materials classified as marine pollutants carry additional marking and packaging provisions.

Hazard Class Packaging Packaging is certified for the hazard class and packing group of the material shipped.

Documentation typically covers the packaging design and its hazard class and packing group, each performance test performed, and pass or fail findings against IMDG Code requirements.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Let our experts help you identify the regulatory frameworks and packaging requirements that apply to your dangerous goods shipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hazard class is the UN classification system for dangerous goods, grouping materials by the primary hazard they present during transport: flammables, explosives, corrosives, toxic substances, oxidizers, infectious substances, radioactive materials, and others. Each class has defined regulatory requirements for packaging and labeling. Packing group (I, II, or III) classifies the degree of danger within a hazard class, where Packing Group I represents the greatest danger and Packing Group III the least. Together, hazard class and packing group determine which packaging performance standards apply and what test results a design must achieve to be certified under Title 49 CFR and the UN Model Regulations.

DOT Third Party Labs Competent Authority approval is a formal U.S. Department of Transportation designation authorizing TEN-E to test dangerous goods packaging designs against Title 49 CFR performance requirements and issue the UN certification marks that confirm a packaging design is approved for use with hazardous materials. A limited number of testing agencies in the United States hold the designation. TEN-E holds DOT Third Party Labs Competent Authority approval at three U.S. locations and has held the designation since it was first issued. Reports and certification documentation issued under TEN-E’s DOT Third Party Labs Competent Authority approval carry direct regulatory standing with the DOT and are accepted by carriers, customs agencies, and international enforcement bodies.

The applicable frameworks differ by transport mode, and each framework specifies its own packaging performance requirements. Title 49 CFR governs U.S. ground shipments, IATA DGR governs air shipments, and IMDG Code governs sea shipments. A packaging design can be certified across multiple modes when it meets the performance requirements of each applicable framework. Because the UN Model Regulations underpin all three, packaging that meets UN performance requirements provides a strong foundation for multi-modal certification. TEN-E can confirm which frameworks apply to your shipment and whether a single design satisfies the requirements across the modes you need.

The Dangerous Goods Package Testing page covers the full category of dangerous goods packaging services TEN-E offers: non-bulk and bulk performance testing, infectious substance packaging, radioactive packaging, lighter certification, and compatibility testing. This page goes deeper on the four regulatory frameworks themselves, explaining what each framework covers, which transport modes it governs, and how hazard class and packing group interact with certification requirements. Visitors who know the regulatory framework they need and want to confirm TEN-E’s scope within it will find that detail here.