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FAQ on UN Standardized small containers

What is a UN standardized small container?

When is a UN standardized small container required?

How do I identify a UN standardized small container?

Where can I get UN standardized small containers?

Design and Construction

What are the testing requirements to qualify a UN standardized small container design?

How do I register a UN standardized small container design

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

How do I renew my Certificate of Registration?

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

Selection and Use

Can I modify a registered UN container design?

How do I select the right UN container?

Can I use my UN standardized container for a dangerous goods in a form or packing group different from that specified in the UN container marking?

Where can I obtain more information?

What is a UN standardized small container?

A UN standardized small container (other than a cylinders or IBC) is a container having a capacity of no more than 400 kg or 450 L, manufactured in accordance with the requirements of chapter 6.1* of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and with the national regulations of the country of manufacture.  A UN standardized small container manufactured in Canada must be in accordance with sections 2 and 3 and Part 1 of the standard CAN/CGSB-43.150 "Performance Packagings for Transportation of Dangerous Goods".  UN standardized small containers can be bags, boxes, composite containers, drums, jerricans or wooden barrels that are small means of containement.

*Chapter 6.1 of the UN Recommendations can be found on page 3 of the PDF document found at http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/unrec/rev13/English/12E_Part6.pdf

When is a UN standardized small container required?

Section 5.12(1) of the TDG Regulations specifies that UN Standardized small means of containment selected and used in accordance with sections 2 and 3 and Part II of the CAN/CGSB-43.150 standard are permitted for transport of dangerous goods in Class 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8 or 9 by any mode of transport.

How do I identify a UN standardized small container?

A UN standardized small contiener will have a UN marking displayed on its outer surface that meets the marking requirements set out in section 8 of CAN/CGSB-43.150. The marking must be durable, legible and in characters at least 12 mm high.  The following is an example UN marking.

Image of UN Symbol
1A1 / Y  1.8 / 100 / 95
CAN / ABC 2-001



  1. The UN symbol.  For embossed metal packagings, the letters “UN” may be displayed instead.
  2. The packaging code.
  3. The packing group for which the container 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 relative density in kg/L (for liquids) or the gross mass in kg (for solids, viscous liquids or inner packagings) for which the packaging was tested.  If the relative density is not marked, it is considered to not exceed 1.2 kg/L.
  5. The hydrostatic test pressure in kPa (for liquids) or the letter ‘S' (for solids, viscous liquids or inner packagings).
  6. The last two digits of the year of manufacture.  For packaging types 1H and 3H, the month of manufacture must also be shown.
  7. The country code for the country authorizing the allocation of the mark. 
  8. The name or registered symbol of the manufacturer.
  9. The Transport Canada design registration number.

Where can I get UN standardized small containers?

UN small containers vendors

What are the testing requirements to qualify a UN standardized small container design?

A UN standardized small container manufactured in Canada must be in accordance with sections 2 and 3 and Part 1 of the standard CAN/CGSB-43.150.  The performance tests required by the standard are harmonized with those in chapter 6.1 of the UN Recommendations and are specific to each type of container.  Examples of these tests include a drop test, internal pressure test and stacking test.  The severity of the tests varies according to the packing group.  The tests must be conducted on containers in "as prepared for transport" condition.   The complete list of test requirements is set out in CAN/CGSB-43.150.  

How do I register a UN standardized small container design?

Each design of UN standardized small container manufactured in Canada must be registered by Transport Canada in accordance with section 11 of CAN/CGSB-43.150 before production of containers, other than test samples, begins.   The manufacturer must submit an application for registration to the Director.   The application must include the Packaging Design Report outlined in Appendix B of the standard.   This report includes facility information, design specifications, performance testing details and results, package drawings and the proposed UN marking.

When the Director is satisfied that the requirements of CAN/CGSB-43.150 for registration are met a Certificate of Registration for the container design is issued to the manufacturer.  All UN containers manufactured in Canada must display the registration number for that container design within the UN marking.  A Certificate of Registration is normally valid for three years.  The certificate holder must apply for renewal sufficiently in advance of the expiry of a registration

What are the quality assurance system requirements for manufacturing UN standardized small containers?

A manufacturer of UN small containers must have and maintain a quality assurance system which meets:

  • for drums, jerricans and composite containers, the requirements of ISO 9001:2000.  The quality system must be registered with an independent quality assurance system registrar accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) or a foreign quality assurance systems registrar recognized by the SCC.
  • for other container types, the requirements of ISO 9001:2000.  The quality assurance system does not need to be registered.

How do I renew my Transport Canada Certificate of Registration ?

To renew a Certificate of Registration, the certificate holder must submit a written application for renewal to the Director prior to the current Certificate of Registration's expiry.  To allow an adequate time for review of an application please submit renewal applications at least 3 months in advace of 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 I modify a registered UN container design? 

Appendix C of CAN/CGSB-43.150 outlines the variations permitted to a registered container design without further testing.  Section C1 addresses variations to a combination container design.  Section C2 addresses variations to a combination container design designated as Special Packaging (V). Section C3 addresses variations to a single container.  Consult the standard for details on these variations.

How do I select the right UN container?

It is the consignor's responsibility to select a permitted and appropriate container for their dangerous goods shipment.  To facilitate selection, the consignor should be familiar with the UN container marking code.  All the requirements for container selection and use in Part II of CAN/CGSB-43.150 must be satisfied, among those the consignor must ensure that the container:

  • is permitted for the dangerous goods by Part II of CAN/CGSB-43.150
  • is marked for a packing group at or above that of the dangerous goods;
  • is constructed of material compatible with the dangerous goods;
  • is marked with a relative density at or above that of the dangerous goods (for liquids) or with a gross mass adequate for the dangerous goods (for solids);
  • is marked with a test pressure suitable for the dangerous goods (for liquids).

Consult the following table and section 12.7 of CAN/CGSB-43.150 for greater details.

Marked Test Pressure (kPa)

 Vp50 of the product must be less than 4/7[test pressure + 100](kPa) Vp55 of the product must be less than 2/3[test pressure + 100](kPa)

60

91

106

100

114

133

150

142

166

200

171

200

250

200

233

325

242

283

350

257

300

Can I use my UN standardized container for a dangerous goods in a form or packing group different from that specified in the container marking?

UN small containers may be used for certain dangerous goods in a form or packing group (PG) different from that in the UN container marking code, as follows:

  • containers tested for PG I liquids may be used for PG II liquids with a relative density not exceeding the greater of 1.8 or 1.5 times the marked relative density *;
  • containers tested for PG I liquids may be used for PG III liquids with a relative density not exceeding the greater of 2.7 or 2.25 times the marked relative density *;
  • containers tested for PG II liquids may be used for PG III liquids with a relative density not exceeding the greater of 1.8 or 1.5 times the marked relative density *;
  • A container tested for liquids may be used for solids if the gross mass in kilograms does not exceed the container's capacity (litres) times the marked relative density;
  • containers tested for PG I liquids may be used for PG II solids if the gross mass in kilograms does not exceed the container's capacity (litres) times 1.5 X the marked relative density *;
  • containers tested for PG I liquids may be used for PG III solids if the gross mass in kilograms does not exceed the container's capacity (litres) times 2.25 X the marked relative density *;
  • containers tested for PG II liquids may be used for PG III solids if the gross mass in kilograms does not exceed the container's capacity (litres) times 1.5 X the marked relative density *.

* containers should be capable of withstanding a 3m high stacking load at the higher relative density

Where can I obtain more information?

For more information on the UN standardized small containers and matters pertaining to CAN/CGSB-43.150, 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 "Small Means of Containment" in the subject line. 

Quick Links

CAN/CGSB-43.150

Information on CAN/CGSB-43.150 (the national standard on "Performance Packagings for Transportation of Dangerous Goods").

UN Small containers vendors

The UN Small Containers vendors includes a list of UN packaging suppliers with designs registered with Transport Canada in accordance with CAN/CGSB-43.150.

Date modified:
2011-06-14