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6. FAQ on UN Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)

FAQ on UN Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)

What is a UN standardized IBC?

When are UN standardized IBCs required?

How do I identify a UN standardized IBC?

Where can I get a UN standardized IBC?

Design and Construction

What are the requirements for UN standardized IBCs?

What are the requirements for UN standardized mobile IBCs?

How do I register a UN standardized IBC design?

What are the quality assurance system requirements for UN IBC manufacturers?

How do I renew a Certificate of Registration?

How do I change the company name or address on a Certificate of Registration?

Can IBCs of modified design be manufactured without new testing?

Selection and Use

How do I select and use the right IBC for my product?

Can I use an IBC other than a UN standardized IBC to transport my dangerous goods?

Leak Testing and Inspection

What are the periodic leak test and inspection requirements for a UN IBC?

Where can I find a registered leak test and inspection facility?

How do I register as a leak test and inspection facility?

How do I change the company name or address on a Certificate of Registration?

How do I identify an IBC that has been leak tested and inspected?

Where can I obtain more information?

What is a UN standardized IBC?

A UN standardized intermediate bulk container (IBC) is an IBC manufactured in accordance with the requirements specified in chapter 6.5* of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN Recommendations) and the national regulations of the country of manufacture.  UN Standardized IBCs manufactured in Canada must be in accordance with sections 2 to 11 of standard CAN/CGSB-43.146 “Design, Manufacture and Use of Intermediate Bulk Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods”.

* Chapter 6.5 of the UN Recommendations can be found on page 81 of the PDF document found at http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/unrec/rev13/English/12E_Part6.pdf

When are UN standardized IBCs required?

UN standardized IBCs are one of the permitted means of containement for certain Class 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8 or 9 dangerous goods, as specified in sections 5.12 and 5.14 of the TDG Regulations.

How do I identify a UN standardized IBC?

A UN standardized IBC will have a UN marking displayed on it that meet the marking requirements set out in section 5 of CAN/CGSB-43.146. The marking will be durable, legible, readily visible and at least 12 mm in height. On a composite IBC, the marking will be displayed on the outer casing. The following is an example UN IBC marking:

1. The UN symbol. For embossed metal packagings, the letters “UN” may be displayed instead.
2. The IBC code.
3. The packing group for which the IBC design has been tested:
   X - acceptable for Packing Groups I, II and III dangerous goods
   Y - acceptable for Packing Groups II and III dangerous goods only
   Z - acceptable for Packing Group III dangerous goods only
4. The month, designated numerically, and last two digits of year of manufacture.
5. The country code for the country authorizing the allocation of the mark.
6. The name or symbol of the manufacturer and the Transport Canada Certificate of Registration number.
7. The stack test load (in kg) or ‘0' if the IBC is not designed for stacking.
8. The maximum permissible gross mass (kg).

In addition to the marking specified above, every IBC of an IBC design type indicated by an “X” in Column 2 of the following table shall bear durable and legible markings consisting of the information specified in Column 1.

Column 1	Column 2 Additional Marking IBC Design Type
	Metal	Rigid Plastic	Composite1	Fibre-board	Wooden
Capacity in litres /_2 at 20C	X	X	X	—	—
Tare mass in kg /_2	X	X	X	X	X
Test (gauge) pressure, in kPa or bar /_2 if applicable	—	X	X	—	—
Maximum loading / discharge pressure in kPa or bar /_2 if applicable	X	X	X	—	—
Body material and its minimum thickness in mm	X	—	—	—	—
Dates of last leak test and inspection (month and year)3	X	X	X	—	—
Serial number of the IBC	X	X	X	—	—

¹ The marking shall be displayed on the outer casing.
²/_ the unit used shall be indicated.
³ The month is designated numerically and the year is designated by the last two digits of the year.

The inner receptacle of a composite IBC must be durably marked with the following information:

1. The name or symbol of the manufacturer and the Transport Canada Certificate of Registration number;
2. the month, designated numerically, and last two digits of the year of manufacture; and
3. the three-letter country code (eg. CAN).

Where can I get a UN standardized IBC?

UN standardized IBC vendors

What are the requirements for UN standardized IBCs?

UN standardized IBCs must be designed, constructed and tested in accordance with the requirements set out in Part I of CAN/CGSB-43.146. The performance test requirements are based on those set out in chapter 6.5 of the UN Recommendations and are specific to each type of IBC. A full list of the test requirements is set out in table 5 of the standard and test details are set out in section 7. The tests are designed to test the IBCs resistance to various transport conditions such as drop, stacking, vibration and internal pressure. The testing severity is dependent on the packing group for which the IBC is rated. All IBCs are tested in the "as for shipment" condition.

What are the requirements for UN standardized ‘mobile' IBCs?

Commonly referred to as portable refueling tanks or slip tanks, UN mobile IBCs are UN standardized IBCs intended to be loaded, stored and unloaded while on a means of transport.  UN mobile IBCs are subject to additional type testing requirements as detailed in CAN/CGSB-43.146 compared to a usual IBC. These additional requiremtns include:

• The marking “Mobile IBC – Do not lift when loaded with product” must be durably applied adjacent to the UN marking.
• The IBC design must ensure vehicle stability if the IBC is to be transported partially loaded.
• The openings in the IBC must be located in the vapour space.
• A rollover test must be conducted in addition to the other required performance tests.
• The IBC must not be loaded in excess of 95% of its capacity.
• The IBC must be constructed of steel or aluminum.
• The IBC must be grounded during loading and unloading.

How do I register a UN standardized IBC design?

All designs of UN standardized IBCs manufactured in Canada must be registered in accordance with section 11 of CAN/CGSB-43.146. The manufacturer must submit an application to the Director. As specified in section 11.2 of CAN/CGSB-43.146, the application must include an IBC Design Report including the information set out in Appendix A of the standard. The required information includes facility information, performance testing details and results, IBC drawings, material specifications and a copy of the quality assurance system registration.

When the Director is satisfied that the requirements of CAN/CGSB-43.146 for registration are  met a Certificate of Registration for the IBC design will be issued to the manufacturer. All UN IBCs manufactured in Canada must display the registration number for that container design within the UN marking. A Certificate of Registration is normally valid for a period of three years, prior to which time the manufacturer must apply for renewal.

What are the quality assurance system requirements for UN IBC manufacturers?

UN IBC manufacturers must have and maintain a quality assurance system which conforms to any one of the following standards: ISO 9001:2000, ISO 9001:1994, ISO 9002:1994, CAN/CSA-ISO 9001-00, CAN/CSA-ISO 9001-94, CAN/CSA-ISO 9002-94 or CSA CAN3-Z299.3-85.

The quality system must be registered with a quality system registrar accredited or recognized by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), or a foreign quality assurance system registrar recognized by the SCC.

How do I renew a Certificate of Registration?

To renew a Certificate of Registration, the certificate holder must submit a written request for renewal to the Director at least three months prior to the current Certificate of Registration's expiry.

How do I change the company name or address on a Certificate of Registration?

A Certificate of Registration is issued to an individual or to a corporate entity who is the certificate holder.  A Certificate of Registration may not be conveyed from one certifcate holder to another.  A name change on a Certificate of Registration is only permitted if the certificate holder remains the same individual or corporate entity as before. In such a case the certificate holder may submit a written request to the Director. The request must include the Certificate of Registration number, the new certificate holder name, a justification that the conditions for name change apply, and the date on which the change is proposed to become effective.

Can IBCs of modified design be manufactured without new testing?

If you wish to manufacture a UN IBC which is of modified design compared to one which is already tested and registered, you must always apply to register the modified IBC design to the Director. but you may not need to repeat all the testing depending on the nature of the change.  Sections 8.1 and 8.2 of CAN/CGSB-43.146 indicate the modifications that may be made to a registered IBC design type with no further testing and with limited further testing.

How do I select and use the right IBC ?

It is the consignor's responsibility to select the appropriate IBC for their dangerous goods consignment. Sections 2,3,12 and 13 of the CAN/CGSB-43.146 standard must be followed for the selection and use of IBC's for transport of dangerouis goods.  To facilitate selection, the consignor must be familiar with the UN IBC marking. The following are some of the criteria of the standard for selection of a UN standardized IBC:

• The requirements specified in the Packing Instructions in Appendix B of CAN/CGSB-43.146 must be complied with.
• The IBC must have been tested for the packing group of the dangerous goods to be transported.
• The quantity of dangerous goods must such as not to exceed the capacity, maximum permissible gross mass or maximum permissible load marked on the IBC.
• The relative density of the dangerous goods must not exceed that for which the IBC was tested.
• The IBC has been leak tested and inspected as prescribed within the specified period.
• The IBC must be filled and closed in the same manner in which it was tested.
• The IBC must be constructed of a material compatible with, and impermeable to, the dangerous good.
• The IBC must be marked with a stacking load adequate for the application (if it is intended to be stacked).
• For liquid dangerous goods, the IBC must be marked with a test pressure suitable for the product. For a 31A, 31B or 31N IBC, the maximum allowable vapor pressure is 110kPa @ 50C or 130 kPa @ 55C. For a 31H or 31HZ IBC, the marked test pressure can be determined using the following guidelines:

Marked Test Pressure (kPa)	Vp50 of the product must be less than 4/7[test pressure + 100 kPa] (kPa)	Vp55 of the product must be less than 2/3[test pressure + 100 kPa] (kPa)
40	80	93
60	91	106
93 or more	110	130

Can I use an IBC other than a UN standardized IBC to transport my dangerous goods?

CAN/CGSB-43.146 allows

• Until January 1,2010, a ULC standard mobile refueling tank instead of a UN standardized mobile IBC if the tank was manufactured beforeJanuary 1, 2003 in conformance with the requirements of ULC/ORD-C142.13-1997.
• a TC, CTC or DOT Specification 56 portable tank instead of a Code 11A, Code 11B or Code 11N IBC if the portable tank meets the requirements specified in section 13.1.2 of CAN/CGSB-43.146.
• a TC, CTC or DOT Specification 57 portable tank instead of a Code 31A, Code 31B or Code 31N IBC if the portable tank meets the requirements specified in section 13.1.3 of CAN/CGSB-43.146.

What are the periodic leak test and inspection requirements for a UN IBC?

UN standardized IBCs of a capacity greater than 450L and used for liquid dangerous goods must be leak tested and inspected in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix C of CAN/CGSB-43.146. UN standardized IBCs must be leak tested and inspected every 30 months except that UN standardized Mobile IBCs must be inspected every 60 months. The leak test and inspection must be conducted by a facility registered with Transport Canada.

The periodic leak test and inspection includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

Interior and exterior washing

Leak test to 20 kPa for 10 minutes

Interior and exterior inspection

Replacement of non-integral gaskets for threaded closures

Marking

Record keeping

Please consult Appendix C of the standard for the steps in their entirety.

Where can I find a registered leak test and inspection facility?

Search our database for IBC leak test and inspection facilities registered with Transport Canada.

How do I register as a leak test and inspection facility?

Before a facility can begin leak testing and inspecting UN standardized IBCs for liquid dangerous goods service, the facility must be registered with Transport Canada in accordance with section C1 of CAN/CGSB-43.146. To initiate the registration process, the facility must submit an application to the Director. The application must include:

1. a copy of the proposed leak test and inspection procedure;
2. a completed application form; and
3. a sample marking in conformance with section C6 of the standard.

A review of the IBC leak test and inspection procedure will be conducted. If it is found to comply with the requirements of the standard, a numbered Certificate of Registration will be issued to the facility. Certificates of Registration are normally issued for a period of three years, prior to which time the facility must apply for renewal.How do I change the company name or address on a Certificate of Registration?

How do I identify an IBC that has been leak tested and inspected?

An IBC that has been leak tested and inspected in accordance with Appendix C of CAN/CGSB-43.146 will be marked with the letter “R”, the month and year of the leak test and inspection, and the Transport Canada Certificate of Registration Number of the leak test facility.  For example:

R / 09-04 / 33-222

Where can I obtain more information?

For more information on the UN IBC design registration requirements, leak test and inspection facility registration requirements, or any other matters pertaining to UN standardized IBCs, please contact a means of containment specialist by fax at 613-993-5925 or by email at tdgcontainers-tmdcontenants@tc.gc.ca. Include the text "IBCs" in the subject line.

Articles of Interest

Fall 2004 TDG Newsletter article on transport of Diesel and Gasoline
This article outlines the container requirements for the transport of diesel fuel and gasoline in view of the expiration of Permit SH6216 at the end of 2004.

Quick Links

CAN/CGSB-43.146

Information on CAN/CGSB-43.146 (the national standard on "Design, Manufacture and Use of Intermediate Bulk Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods").

UN Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) vendors

This list of IBC vendors is provided for convenience only.  IBC vendors are not required to be registered nor approved by Transport Canada unless they also perform functions such as manufacturing, assembly or retesting for which registration is a requirement.  This list is not exhaustive and does not imply any endorsement by Transport Canada.  If you are a vendor of IBCs and wish to be included on this list, or if you find inaccuracies in the list, please contact us.

IBCs requalifiers (periodic leak test and inspection)

Search the TDG database of facilities registered to leak test and inspect IBCS in accordance with the requirements of CAN/CGSB-43.146.

Date modified:

2009-10-28

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