ISO/TC 122/SC 3 - Performance requirements and tests for means of packaging, packages and unit loads (as required by ISO/TC 122)

This document specifies the information needed for the design type testing of packaging, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and large packaging intended for use in the transport of dangerous goods. NOTE 1 This document can be used in conjunction with one or more of the international regulations set out in the Bibliography. NOTE 2 The term “packaging” includes packaging for Class 6.2 infectious substances according to the United Nations.

This document gives guidance on the application of a quality management system in the manufacture, measuring and monitoring of design type approved dangerous goods packaging, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and large packaging. This document does not include guidance specific to other management systems, such as those for environmental management, occupational health and safety management, or financial management. It is applicable to an organization that: a) needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements; and b) aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. All the guidance in this document is generic and intended to be applicable to any organization, regardless of its type or size, or the products and services it provides. NOTE In this document, the terms "product" or "service" only apply to products and services intended for, or required by, a customer. It does not apply to design type testing, for which reference is made to 6.1.5, 6.3.5, 6.5.6 and 6.6.5 of the UN Model Regulations[27].

This document establishes general rules for the compilation of performance test schedules for complete, filled transport packages intended for use within any distribution system except for the packages used for dangerous goods.

This document specifies performance requirements and methods of test for non-reclosable packaging that have been designated child-resistant. This document is intended for type approval only (see 3.5) and is not intended for quality assurance purposes.

This document specifies performance requirements and methods of test for non-reclosable packaging that has been designated child-resistant and which is intended to contain non-pharmaceutical products. This document is intended for type approval only (see 2.5) and is not intended for quality assurance purposes. This document applies to non-reclosable packages of the single-use type consisting of one or more individual units. Non-reclosable packages for pharmaceutical products are excluded from the scope of this document. These are the subject of a separate standard, ISO 14375, Child-resistant non-reclosable packaging for pharmaceutical products — Requirements and testing.

ISO 13355:2016 specifies a method to carry out a vertical random vibration test on a complete, filled transport package(s) and unit loads using random excitation[1]. This document also provides methods for assessing the performance of a package in terms of its strength or the protection that it offers to its contents when it is subjected to vertical vibration. The test discussed in this document can be performed either as a single test to investigate the effects of vertical vibration, or as a part of a sequence of tests designed to measure the ability of a test specimen to withstand a distribution system that includes a vibration hazard. NOTE In this International Standard, a package or unit load is referred to as test specimen. [1] Random vibration theory is discussed in IEC 60068-2-64.

ISO 8317:2015 specifies performance requirements and test methods for reclosable packages designated as resistant to opening by children. Acceptance criteria are given for the packages when tested by specified methods. These methods not only provide a measure of the effectiveness of the packaging in restricting access by children, but also cover the accessibility to the contents by adults. ISO 8317:2015 is applicable to reclosable packages for any product intended to be exposed or removed from the packaging in normal use. ISO 8317:2015 is intended for type approval only and is not intended for quality assurance purposes.

ISO 13274:2013 specifies the requirements and test methods for compatibility testing of plastics packagings/Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and composite packagings/IBCs with plastics inners containing liquids. The testing involves storage with the liquid to be transported. For polyethylene-based packaging, testing with a standard liquid as defined in The European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road may be undertaken. Annex B describes small-scale laboratory tests that may be used to determine the assimilation of those products to be carried with the standard liquids. Where there is any contradiction between ISO 13274:2013 and any applicable regulation, the regulation always takes precendence.

ISO 13127:2012 specifies test methods for mechanical testing of reclosable child resistant packaging. The data generated by these mechanical test methods are suitable for comparing child resistant characteristics of related reclosable packaging systems.

ISO 16103:2005 specifies the requirements and test methods for the production of recycled plastics materials to be used for packagings for the transport of dangerous goods. This includes guidance on the quality assurance programme.

ISO 21898:2004 specifies materials, construction and design requirements, type test, certification and marking requirements for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) intended to contain non-dangerous solid materials in powder, granular or paste form, and designed to be lifted from above by integral or detachable devices. Guidance is also provided on the selection and safe usage of FIBCs.

This International Standard specifies two methods for carrying out a sinusoidal vibration test on a complete, filled transport package or unit load using a variable frequency. These tests may be used to assess the performance of a package or an unit load in terms of its strength or the protection that it offers to its contents when it is subjected to vertical vibration. Each may be performed either as a single test to investigate the effects of vertical vibration or as part of a sequence of tests designed to measure the ability of a package or unit load to withstand a distribution system that includes a vibration hazard.

This International Standard specifies three methods for carrying out a stacking test on a complete, filled transport package, or on a unit load, using a static load. Whichever method is employed, the test may be used to assess the performance of a package or a unit load, in terms of its strength or the protection that it offers to its contents when it is subjected to stacking. It may be performed either as a single test to investigate the effects (deformation, creep, collapse or failure) of stacking or as part of a sequence of tests designed to measure the ability of a package or a unit load to withstand a distribution system that includes a stacking hazard. The test may also be used to investigate performance under particular conditions of loading, as, for example, when the bottom package in a stack rests on an open-decked pallet; or when the profile of the superimposed load is eccentric, as when it is supported on the bearers of a single-decked pallet which rests on a container. For such purposes, one of the three methods of carrying out the test may be more suitable than the others. NOTE A method for carrying out a stacking test using a compression tester is given in ISO 120481).

This International Standard specifies a method for subjecting complete, filled transport packages and unit loads to conditions of low air pressure similar to those encountered in aircraft. This method is applicable to complete, filled transport packages and unit loads which are intended to be transported in pressurized aircraft flying at any altitude and in unpressurized aircraft flying at 3 500 m or less.

This International Standard specifies a method for testing the resistance of a complete, filled transport package or a unit load to water spray or the protection it gives to its contents from water spray. It may also be used to precondition a complete, filled transport package or a unit load prior to another test to investigate reduction in strength caused by exposure to water. The test is performed on the test specimen as prepared for transport and may form part of a test sequence.

This International Standard specifies methods of horizontal impact testing (horizontal or inclined plane test and pendulum test) on a complete, filled transport package or a unit load. The test may be performed either as a single test to investigate the effects of horizontal impact or as part of a sequence of tests designed to measure the ability of a package or a unit load to withstand a distribution system that includes a horizontal impact hazard.

This International Standard specifies methods to carry out vibration tests on complete, filled transport packages or unit loads using sinusoidal excitation at fixed frequency. These tests may be used to assess the performance of packages and unit loads in terms of the strength or the protection that they offer to their contents when subjected to low frequency vibration. These tests may be performed either as a single test to investigate the effects of low frequency vibration or as a part of a sequence of tests designed to measure the ability of a package or unit load to withstand a distribution system that includes a vibration hazard at low frequency or repetitive shocks.

Specifies a method for testing the resistance to compression of complete, filled transport packages and a method for carrying out a stacking test on complete, filled transport packages using the same apparatus.

The tests are intended to assess the performance of completely formed unit loads as they are subjected to the hazards of (land) environmental exposure, storage, handling and transportation. They are concerned with pallet handling, clamp handling, push/pull handling, examination of failure and may be performed as part of a sequence. Marine environment is not dealt with. Annex A describes lift truck handling tests.

The system for identifying is specified for parallelepipedal and cylindrical packages, sacks and bags, also for miscellaneous packages. Three figures show the numbering of the surfaces, edges and corners.

This International Standard specifies a method for carrying out a toppling test on a complete, filled transport package which may be exposed to the danger of toppling during storage, transport and handling. The test may be used to assess the performance of a package in terms of its strength or the protection that it offers to its contents when it is subject to toppling. lt may be performed either as a Single test to investigate the effects of toppling or as patt of a sequence of tests designed to measure the ability of the package to withstand a distribution System that includes a toppling hazard. The test, which is complementary to the tests described in ISO 2244, ISO 2248 and ISO 2876, may be used to investigate the Performance of packages which are tall in relation to their base dimensions. lt is also applicable to packages the height of which is small by comparison with base dimensions but which may be stored or transported resting on a side face in Order to conserve storage/transport space (sec figures 1 and 2). The test is recommended for packages where the ratio of the longest to the shortest sides is of the Order of 3 : 1 or greater.

The test is principally intended for packages which are waterproof or which are intended to provide some degree of "waterproofness". The test is performed on the package as prepared for transport and may form part of a test sequence. Principle: Conditioning of the package, followed by complete immersion in water, removal and draining and drying in the conditioning atmosphere. The time of immersion, time of draining and drying and the atmospheric conditions are predetermined.

Principle: Raising of the test package above a rigid plane surface and releasing it to strike this surface (the "impact surface") after a free fall. The atmospheric conditions, the height of drop and the attitude of the package are predetermined. An annex gives the predetermined attitude of the test package.

Principle: Rolling of the test pacckage so as to impact on each face in turn. The toppling test is recommended for packages where the ratio of the longest to the shortest sides is of the order of 3:1 or greater. Apparatus, package preparation, procedure for parallelepipedal and packages of other shapes and the test report are specified.

ISO 16495:2013 specifies the information needed for the design type testing of packaging, Intermediate Bulk Containers ( IBCs) and large packaging intended for use in the transport of dangerous goods.

ISO 4180:2009 establishes general rules to be used for the compilation of performance test schedules for complete, filled transport packages intended for use within any distribution system except for the packages used for dangerous goods. For a known distribution environment with experimental data available (case 1), ISO 4180:2009 provides guide lines for the compilation of appropriate test schedules. For an unknown distribution environment (case 2), ISO 4180:2009 provides test schedules in dependence of the test specimen mass and forecast destination. ISO 4180:2009 also gives the factors to be considered in assessing the criteria of acceptance of such packages after they have been subjected to a package performance test schedule.

ISO 23667:2006 specifies the requirements and test methods for compatibility testing of polyethylene-based plastics Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) and composite IBCs with plastics inners containing liquids. The testing involves storage with the packaged substance, or with a standard liquid as defined in Annex A. Annex B describes small scale laboratory tests, which may be used to determine the assimilation of those products to be carried with the standard liquids.

ISO 16883:2007 specifies the design type test requirements for large packagings intended for use in the transport of dangerous goods.

ISO 16106:2006 gives guidance on quality management provisions applicable to the manufacture, measuring and monitoring of design type approved dangerous goods packagings, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and large packagings. ISO 16106:2006 can only be used in combination with ISO 9001:2000; it is not a stand-alone document. It does not apply to design type testing, for which reference is made to 6.1.5, 6.5.4 and 6.6.5 of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Model Regulations, fourteenth revised edition.

ISO 16101:2004 specifies the requirements and test methods for compatibility testing of polyethylene based plastics packagings and composite packagings with plastic inners containing liquids. The testing involves storage with the packaged substance, or with a standard liquid as defined in Annex A. Annex B describes small scale laboratory tests which may be used to determine the assimilation of those products to be carried with the standard liquids.

ISO 16467:2003 specifies the design type test requirements for Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) intended for use in the transport of dangerous goods.

ISO 16104:2003 specifies the design type test requirements for packagings intended for use in the transport of dangerous goods.

ISO 8317:2003 specifies the requirements and test methods for reclosable packages designated as resistant to opening by children. Acceptance criteria are given for the package when tested by specified methods. These methods not only provide a measure of the effectiveness of the package in restricting access by children, but also cover the accessibility to the contents by adults. Reclosable packages for any product intended to be exposed or removed from the packaging in normal use are covered by the procedures. ISO 8317:2003 is intended for type approval only and is not intended for quality assurance purposes.

Acceptance criteria are given for the package when tested by specified methods. These methods not only provide a measure of the effectiveness of the package in restricting access by children but also cover the accessibility to the contents by adults. Reclosable packages for any product intended to be exposed or removed from the packages are covered by the procedures. Means of performing the test on a series of similar packages are given in annex A and guidance for persons carrying out the tests is given in annexes B and °C.

This part of ISO 4180 incorporates all the quantitative data necessary to establish test intensities and other quantitative features of test schedules. It consists of various tables: Methods of test and factors requiring quantification; Basic test intensities; Preferred range of test intensities; Test intensities modifying factors; Example of test schedule compilation - test schedule 1; Example of test schedule compilation - test schedule 2.

Basic terms are described, such as distribution systems, hazards during transport, laboratory test of packagesd, performance test schedules. Specification is given for the standardization of test methods and order of tests, selection and modification of test intensities, selection of package attitude, compilation of test schedules and determination of criteria of acceptance. An annex specifies methods of quantifying demage to a package and/or its contents.