How to Read UN Rating Code?

Most of the national industries demand unrestricted international transportation of hazardous goods. In the United Nations, the committee of experts under the UN economic and social council deals with all the hazardous material that possesses the capacity to harm, injure, and damage other components of the environment.

The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) is the competent authority to follow the regulations for testing bulk packages to issue UN certificate. India, being a United Nations member, is also required to comply with the guidelines for the transportation of hazardous goods across UN nations. 

The UN mark IIP certification number consists of unique codes that emphasize how the container is regulated to handle. During the transportation of hazardous commodities and dangerous chemicals, this unique number reflects the quality and nature of material used inside the package and the nature of measures that should be taken while undertaking the transportation of commodities. 

Table of contents

What are the UN ratings?

The UN rating on a UN certification is a unique alphanumeric code printed on the top of the package of products that is used to ship hazardous products across UN nations. The UN rating code for dangerous chemical commodities provides crucial information about the type of packaging and its suitability for specific dangerous goods. 

It is important to know the type of packaging design that the transporter may use while preparing the dangerous commodities to be sold outside the territory. This symbol should be embedded on the bottom and on either side of the package.  

Usually, the UN rating is embedded on the bottom and on either side of the package. The code should be visible, wherever it is given. The given set of codes that provide certain information about the container or packaging, such as the type of material, capacity, and level of hazard protection, is the purpose of the UN certification number.   

 

UN Specification Mark Packging Code

 

UN mark packaging code is a type of code that shows that the hazardous product has been approved by the IIP authority to transport the commodities via land, air, and water. 

Here is a complete overview of packaging code components under UN mark IIP certification: 

• Packaging code: 

The packaging code under the IIP certificate is a mark that signifies the use of packaging material for the transportation of hazardous goods across UN member states. (for e.g. drums, bottles, jerricans, etc.)

• Material code: 

The material code under the IIP certificate signifies the type of material used for packaging the dangerous goods. (for e.g. steel, aluminium, plywood, etc.  )

• category code : 

The category code signifies the package, which undergoes a variety of rigorous testing to withstand various conditions such as pressure, temperature, and impact. These typically include Class I, Class II, and Class III. 

• Year of manufacture: 

The year of manufacturing is a two digit number when the package was produced. 

• Country of manufacturing: 

The country of manufacturing indicates the area where the package for hazardous goods was manufactured. 

• Manufacturing facility code: 

The manufacturing facility code indicates the complete detail of the manufacturer of the package. This could be a logo, a company name, or a code. 

Codes to read UN Certification number 

 

Here are the codes to read the UN certification numbers, categorized into various sections:  

 Container Packaging or Material Wall Type  

 

Container Material	A: Steel  B: Aluminim  C: Natural Wood D: Plywood E: Reconstituted wood F: Fiberboard  G: Plastic  H: Textile I: Paper J: Metal other than Steel and aluminum  K: Glass, Stoneware and Porcelain
Type of Packaging	1: Drums	Closed Head (Non-removable head) Open Head (Removable Head)
	2: Barrels 3:Jerricans 4:Boxes
	5: Bags	5M1- Multiwall  5M2- (Multiwalled) water resistant
	6: Composite Packaging 7: Pressure Recepticle

 

By encoding this code with the help of the above flashcards, you will likely break the complex code into simple meanings without any consultation with expensive professionals for reading the given code.  

For example:  

3H1/X1.2/250/14/USA/57WB1W -given UN certification number (Need graphics by indicating arrow on the code functions)

3H1: signifies the plastic jerrican with non-removable head  (packaging code)

X1.2: denotes that the plastic jerrican is rated for high-hazard materials with a specific gravity of up to 1.5. 

250: indicates maximum gross mass in kilograms

14: indicates the year of manufacturing the package

USA: denotes the origin of package, whereby the package is actually produced 

57WB1W: is the manufacturing facility code

 

Packing Group Level Equivalent 

 

Here is the packing group level equivalent, which is particularly mentioned along with specific gravity: 

• XI- High hazard Level

• YII- Medium Hazard Level 

• Z III- Low hazard level

Here is the packaging group that can also be placed according to the level of hazardous materials, whichever has a lower hazardous nature:  

X= Packing Group I, II, and III

Y= Packing Group II, III

Z= Packing Group III

 

Conclusion 

Obtaining a mere UN certification number is not enough until you are aware that cross checking the UN certification number is also an important follow-up by an applicant. Knowing the complete function of the UN certification number is also important to minimize the associated risks of hazardous goods during the transportation of dangerous goods and hazardous commodities. So, it's a key component in ensuring the safe and compliant movement of dangerous goods across the global supply chain.