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Guide to UN Rating Codes

Developed as a set of standards, by the United Nations, UN ratings are essential for shipping or storing hazardous materials. The UN Rating is a series of number and letter codes that show what a container is regulated to handle. They determine this through a series of tests that all containers must undergo if they are to be UN Rated. Current UN Regulations are enforced by the D.O.T. It is up to the filler of the product to determine what UN Rating they need.

UN Markings

Package Type:

1 — Drums/Pails
2 — Barrels
3 — Jerricans
4 — Boxes
5 — Bags
6 — Composite

Material:

A – Steel
B — Aluminum
C — Natural Wood
D — Plywood
F — Reconstituted Wood
G — Fiberboard
H — Plastic
L — Textile
M — Paper
Multiwall
N — Metal (other)
P — Glass Stoneware or Porcelain

Category:

1 — Closed Head
2 — Open Head

Packaging Group:

X — Meets group I, II, and III’s test
Y — Meets group II, and III’s test
Z — Meets III’s test

Density or Specific Gravity:

Density — For solids that have inner packagings they need to be marked with the maximum gross mass (weight) in kilograms.
Specific Gravity — Stand alone packagings meant to hold liquids need to be marked with the specific gravity rounded down to the first decimal.

Solids/Inner Packaging:

Solids — An “S” in upper case will follow the density.
Liquids — Liquids must show the Hydrostatic test pressure in kPa (kilopascals), rounded down to the nearest 10 kPa.

*Example UN ratings, please talk to your customer service rep to ensure the proper product.

Packaging dangerous chemicals and product can be difficult due to safety requirements set in place by different nations. For this reason, it is important you know how to read the universal rating system (UN Ratings). This guide will give you the knowledge you need to effectively read the UN labeling system. In return, you should be able to properly pick from an abundance of UN rated containers while also abiding by the rules and restrictions that exist.

Guide to UN RatingsGuide to UN Ratings

What Are UN Ratings?


For a quick overview of UN ratings before we break it down, watch the video below. It will introduce UN ratings, the symbols, and the importance of them for safety in packaging.

 

Developed as a set of standards by the United Nations, UN ratings are required for shipping and storing hazardous materials. A UN Rating is a series of letters and numbers that signify what a container is regulated to handle. This is determined through a series of tests that all containers must go through in order to be UN Rated. Current UN Regulations are enforced by the US Department of Transportation (D.O.T.). UN Ratings are located on the outside of a box.  

The packaging should be marked permanently (embossed) on the bottom and on either the side or the top. The bottom marks are known as the birth certificate of the container's original performance capability. 

The History Behind UN Ratings

In the early 1990s, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) adopted Performance Oriented Packaging (POP) to regulate international shipments of hazardous materials. Conflicting regulations between countries caused problems in shipping these materials, leading to the creation of UN Ratings by the United Nations to streamline regulations and ensure international compatibility.

When Do I Have to Use A UN Rated Container?


As stated earlier, the United Nations require UN ratings in order to make the shipping of hazardous materials safer and easier internationally. UN ratings help preserve the environment, demand safety for the people who are transporting the goods and allow efficiency across country lines. The following materials are all considered HAZMAT and require a UN rating in order to be shipped.

Hazardous Materials

  • Explosives
  • Non-flammable gas
  • Flammable gas
  • Flammable liquid (*)
  • Infectious substance
  • Corrosives (*)
  • Flammable solid (*)
  • Oxidizers
  • Organic peroxide
  • Toxic materials
  • Radioactive material

(*) - Most common hazard classes for UN certified classes. For more information on categorizing your hazardous material, use the HAZMAT Table.

Flammable Gas IconFlammable Gas Icon

Packaging Responsibility


The shipper is oblligated to comply with the regulations and determine the proper packaging. The shipper needs to ensure that the packaging is authorized, properly manufactured, assembled, and marked. It is important to know that any non-compliance results in a costly fine.

About the UN Rated Testing


When the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods was coming up with the ratings for hazardous products. They implemented 5 testing techniques, to decide whether the container is UN Rated or not. These include:

 

  • Hydrostatic Test - Containers are filled up with compressed air and submerged for at least five minutes.
  • Leak Proofness - Containers are filled up to overflow and internal pressure is applied.
  • Stack Compression - Containers are stacked for 28 days at 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
  • Vibration Test - Containers are shaken until a 1/16 inch plate can slide under the container.
  • Drop Test - Containers are dropped with the center of gravity over the impact point.

After using these tests results, the United Nations would decide how to mark the packaging. This was shown throught the labeling on the packaging. Making it clear to consumers which packaging should be used for specific hazardous products.

6 UN Code Identifiers


UN Rated labels are complicated due to the symbols and marking that go into it. If broken down, they become much easier to understand. Follow along as we break down the labels into a step by step process.

This picture breaks down all of the components to the UN RatingThis picture breaks down all of the components to the UN Rating

1. Packaging Identification Code

The first set of numbers following the UN symbol is known as the Packaging Identification Code. This section consists of the Package Type, Material, and Category.

 

The UN Rating has a Packaging Identification Code that tells you what the container is typically used for.The UN Rating has a Packaging Identification Code that tells you what the container is typically used for.

Package Type

1 - Drums/Pails

2 - Barrels

3 - Jerricans

4 - Boxes

5 - Bags

6 - Composite Packaging

7 - Pressure Receptacle

Material

A - Steel

B - Aluminum

C - Natural Wood

D - Plywood

F - Reconstructed Wood

G - Fiberboard

H - Plastic

L - Textile

M - Paper, Multiwall

N - Metal except Steel/Aluminum

P - Glass, Porcelain, Stoneware

Category

1 - Closed Head (one molded piece)

2 - Open Head (removable lid)

2. Packing Group Level Equivalent

The first set of numbers following the UN symbol is known as the Packaging Identification Code. This section consists of the Package Type, Material, and Category.

 

The UN Rating holds letters and numbers that signify the Packaging Groups.The UN Rating holds letters and numbers that signify the Packaging Groups.

Packing Group 

X- High Hazard Level

    • Packing Group I, II, III

Y- Medium Hazard Level 

    • Packing Group II, III

Z- Low Hazard Level

    • Packing Group III

Specific Gravity

The ratio of the density compared to the density of water at a specific temperature and pressure.

3. Hydrostatic Test Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure test is a vapor pressure measured in kilopascals (kPa) rounded down to 1 decimal The results to one of the 5 tests required in UN rating.

It is important to note that the above 2 numbers are for labeling liquid material only. When labeling solids you would use the Maximum Gross Mass (kg) instead of Specific Gravity and then a Letter "S" instead of a number for the hydrostatic pressure test. (Refer to figure 1)

The UN Rating tells you the Hydrostatic Test Pressure, which is key to what product the containers can hold.The UN Rating tells you the Hydrostatic Test Pressure, which is key to what product the containers can hold.

4. Year

The Year of Manufacture refers to the year the packaging was manufactured.

The UN Ratings tell you the Year of Manufacturing, which is important to tell you how old the container is.The UN Ratings tell you the Year of Manufacturing, which is important to tell you how old the container is.

5. Country of Origin 

The Country of Origin refers to the location where the package was manufactured.

The UN Rating tells you what country it was manufactured in.The UN Rating tells you what country it was manufactured in.

6. Manufacture Code

The Manufacture Code is the code for UN certified agency or manufacturer. UN ratings tell you the description of the container as well as requirements to certify the product being packaged. It is important that all containers are labeled with the correct UN rating.

The UN Rating tells you the package identification code which tells you the specific type of package you are using.The UN Rating tells you the package identification code which tells you the specific type of package you are using.

When to Use Food vs Liquid Products


The Cary Company helps our customers make the best decisions by using the proper UN ratings when packaging products. We also want tp help your business save time and money by reusing food or liquid containers that can effectively cross over.

Packing Group I  = X-Hazard Level= High Danger

If you have material that is packing group l you can use a X-rated container only. Because this is the highest rating, the lower ratings would not be able to withstand the danger level. There is no rating higher than Packing Group l.

 

Packing Group II = Y-Hazard Level= Medium Danger

If you have a material that is packing group ll you can use an X- or Y-rated container. Same instance for Packing Group ll, it states that your material needs at least a medium danger rated container meaning a great danger packaging would suffice.

 

Packing Group III= Z-Hazard Level= Low Danger

If you have material that is packing group lll you can use an X-, Y-, and Z-rated container. Because Packing Group lll says that your material needs the lowest danger rating the higher rating will be more than okay for your material. You can look at it as being over qualified.

UN Rated Box with UN Rated BucketUN Rated Box with UN Rated Bucket

The general rule of thumb for the crossover is that you can always pick a packaging group that is higher than what your material requires and still comply with the UN rating. this means that anything in the High Danger zone can only use the top leveling of packaging. The lowest danger product can use all three forms of HAZMAT packaging. 

Find Your UN Containers Today!


The United Nations requires UN ratings to make the shipping of hazardous materials safer and easier internationally. UN ratings help preserve the environment, demand safety for the people who are transporting the goods and allow efficiency across country lines. It is important to get UN rated packaging to ensure your products get shipped! 

If you have any questions The Cary Company would be happy to help you and provide further explanation. The Cary Product Sourcing Team will work with you to find the best packaging for you! -- Call 630.629.6600!
 

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