EN 13044-1:2011
(Main)Intermodal Loading Units - Marking - Part 1: Markings for identification
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard provides a system for the identification and presentation of information about the ILU. The identification system is intended for general application, for example in documentation, control and communications (including automatic data processing systems), as well as for display on an ILU and other non ISO containers (i.e. which dimensions and testing parameters differ from those defined by the applicable ISO standards) used in European transport.
The methods of displaying identification and certain other data (including operational data) on ILUs by means of permanent marks are included.
This European Standard specifies:
a) an ILU identification system with an associated system for verifying the accuracy of its use, having mandatory marks for the presentation of the identification system for visual interpretation, and
b) a coding system for data on ILU size and type, with corresponding marks for their display;
c) mandatory operational marks;
d) physical presentation of the marks on the ILU.
This part of EN 13044 specifies a system to identify the owner of the ILU, which includes an associated system for verifying the accuracy of its use.
This European Standard does not cover temporary operational marks of any kind, permanent marks, data plates, etc. which may be required by intergovernmental agreements, national legislation or non-governmental organisations other than CEN.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 11-Jan-2011
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-Jul-2011
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 119 - Swap bodies for combined goods transport
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 119/WG 6 - Intermodal Loading Units
- Current Stage
- 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 02-Sep-2026
- Completion Date
- 02-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 13044-1:2011 - Intermodal Loading Units (ILU) - Part 1: Markings for identification is a CEN European Standard that defines a uniform identification and marking system for non‑ISO intermodal units (for example swap bodies and semi‑trailers) used in European transport. The standard specifies mandatory visual marks, a coding format (owner code, serial number, check digit), rules for physical presentation (size, colour, location) and a verification method to ensure identification accuracy. It is intended for use in documentation, control, communications and automatic data processing systems.
Key topics and requirements
- ILU identification elements: owner code (4 capital letters), serial number (6 numerals - leading zeros if needed) and a single check digit.
- Owner code rules: four‑letter code where the fourth letter identifies the unit as an ILU (one of A, B, D, E or K). Owner codes must be registered and maintained by UIRR.
- Check digit: validation digit calculated using numerical equivalents, positional weighting (powers of 2), and a modulus 11 operation (see Annex A of the standard). Serial numbers yielding ambiguous remainders are discouraged.
- Physical marking:
- Minimum character height: 100 mm, proportionate width.
- Colour must contrast with the ILU background and be durable.
- Layout: owner code, serial number and check digit on a single horizontal line (check digit shown in a box); at least one character space between groups.
- Location: as far as practicable on both side walls and the roof; rear end (door) optional.
- Scope limits: excludes temporary operational marks, certain data plates required by other national/international rules, and technical data for swap tanks.
Applications and who uses it
EN 13044-1:2011 is used by:
- ILU manufacturers (swap bodies, semi‑trailers) for compliant marking
- Intermodal operators, logistics providers and freight forwarders for asset identification and tracking
- Terminal operators and railway/road carriers for handling, inspections and communication
- IT and asset‑management systems integrating ILU identifiers for documentation and automatic data processing
- Regulators and operators seeking interoperability with container marking practice
Practical uses include asset identification, error‑checking of transmitted IDs (via the check digit), standardised labelling for cross‑modal handling, and improved data integrity in transport systems.
Related standards
- EN ISO 6346 - Freight containers: coding, identification and marking (format compatibility and reference methodology)
- EN 1432 - Swap tanks (excludes technical data marking covered by EN 13044-1)
- International conventions (CSC, customs conventions) define other marking/plate requirements not covered by EN 13044-1:2011.
Keywords: EN 13044-1:2011, Intermodal Loading Units, ILU marking, owner code, serial number, check digit, UIRR, BIC, EN ISO 6346.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 08-Jun-2022
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Corrected By
EN 13044-1:2011/AC:2014 - Intermodal Loading Units - Marking - Part 1: Markings for identification - Effective Date
- 09-Jul-2014
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 13044-1:2011 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Intermodal Loading Units - Marking - Part 1: Markings for identification". This standard covers: This European Standard provides a system for the identification and presentation of information about the ILU. The identification system is intended for general application, for example in documentation, control and communications (including automatic data processing systems), as well as for display on an ILU and other non ISO containers (i.e. which dimensions and testing parameters differ from those defined by the applicable ISO standards) used in European transport. The methods of displaying identification and certain other data (including operational data) on ILUs by means of permanent marks are included. This European Standard specifies: a) an ILU identification system with an associated system for verifying the accuracy of its use, having mandatory marks for the presentation of the identification system for visual interpretation, and b) a coding system for data on ILU size and type, with corresponding marks for their display; c) mandatory operational marks; d) physical presentation of the marks on the ILU. This part of EN 13044 specifies a system to identify the owner of the ILU, which includes an associated system for verifying the accuracy of its use. This European Standard does not cover temporary operational marks of any kind, permanent marks, data plates, etc. which may be required by intergovernmental agreements, national legislation or non-governmental organisations other than CEN.
This European Standard provides a system for the identification and presentation of information about the ILU. The identification system is intended for general application, for example in documentation, control and communications (including automatic data processing systems), as well as for display on an ILU and other non ISO containers (i.e. which dimensions and testing parameters differ from those defined by the applicable ISO standards) used in European transport. The methods of displaying identification and certain other data (including operational data) on ILUs by means of permanent marks are included. This European Standard specifies: a) an ILU identification system with an associated system for verifying the accuracy of its use, having mandatory marks for the presentation of the identification system for visual interpretation, and b) a coding system for data on ILU size and type, with corresponding marks for their display; c) mandatory operational marks; d) physical presentation of the marks on the ILU. This part of EN 13044 specifies a system to identify the owner of the ILU, which includes an associated system for verifying the accuracy of its use. This European Standard does not cover temporary operational marks of any kind, permanent marks, data plates, etc. which may be required by intergovernmental agreements, national legislation or non-governmental organisations other than CEN.
EN 13044-1:2011 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 35.240.60 - IT applications in transport; 55.180.10 - General purpose containers. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 13044-1:2011 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13044:2000, EN ISO 6346:2022, EN ISO 17263:2012, EN 15619:2008+A1:2010, EN ISO 17262:2012, EN 284:2006, CEN/TS 14993:2005, EN 15619:2014, EN 13044-3:2011, CEN/TS 13853:2003, EN 13044-2:2011, EN 13044-1:2011/AC:2014. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 13044-1:2011 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU, 2016/797/EU. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 13044-1:2011 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Intermodale Ladeeinheiten - Kennzeichnung - Teil 1: Kennzeichnungen für die IdentifizierungUnités de chargement intermodales - Marquage - Partie 1: Marquages d'identificationIntermodal Loading Units - Marking - Part 1: Markings for identification55.180.10General purpose containers35.240.60Uporabniške rešitve IT v transportu in trgoviniIT applications in transport and tradeICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13044-1:2011SIST EN 13044-1:2011en,fr,de01-november-2011SIST EN 13044-1:2011SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 13044:20001DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 13044-1
January 2011 ICS 55.180.10; 35.240.60 Supersedes EN 13044:2000English Version
Intermodal Loading Units - Marking - Part 1: Markings for identification
Unités de chargement intermodales - Marquage - Partie 1: Marquages d'identification
Intermodale Ladeeinheiten - Kennzeichnung - Teil 1: Kennzeichnungen für die Identifizierung This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 November 2010.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 13044-1:2011: ESIST EN 13044-1:2011
Determination of check digit .9A.1General .9A.2Numerical equivalents of ILU identification system, and serial number .9A.3Weighting factor .9A.4Modulus .9A.5Value of check digit . 10A.6Example calculation of the check digit . 10Bibliography . 11 SIST EN 13044-1:2011
The methods of displaying identification and certain other data (including operational data) on ILUs by means of permanent marks are included. This European Standard specifies: a) an ILU identification system with an associated system for verifying the accuracy of its use, having mandatory marks for the presentation of the identification system for visual interpretation; b) a coding system for data on ILU size and type, with corresponding marks for the
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