Packing group indicates the degree of danger.
For the purpose of packing, substances other than those of classes 1, 2, 4.1(self-reactive substances), 5.2, 6.2 and 7 are assigned to three packing groups. Articles are not assigned to packing groups.
- Packing group I: substances presenting high danger;
- Packing group II: substances presenting medium danger; and
- Packing group III: substances presenting low danger.
Dangerous Goods list indicate the packing group in column 5.
During package testing drop height will change according to packing group, for substances to be transported having a relative density not exceeding 1.2 drop height is
- PG I = 1.8 m
- PG II = 1.2 m
- PG III = 0.8 m
If substances to be transported IS having a relative density exceeding 1.2, the drop height must be calculated on the basis of the relative density (d) of the substance to be carried, rounded up to the first decimal, as follows
- PG I = d × 1.5 m
- PG II = d × 1.0 m
- PG III = d × 0.67 m
Refer Part 6 of the Code for full details.
Class 1 Explosives
No packing group assigned. Packagings, IBCs and large packagings shall meet their test provisions for packing group II.
Class 2 Gases
No packing group assigned. When valves are protected from damage, which could cause inadvertent release of the contents of the pressure receptacle, by transporting in an outer packaging the outer packaging must meet the drop test at the packing group I performance level.
Class 3 Flammable liquids
Liquids having only risk of flammability packing group is assigned basis flashpoint and initial boiling point.
Liquids having additional risk(s) packing group must be assigned considering above table and the severity of the additional risk(s) in accordance with chapter 2.0. Viscous liquids having flashpoint below 23 Deg C may be assigned to packing group III, refer IMDG Code chapter 2.3 for more details.
Class 4.1 Flammable solids
Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, 33.2.1
| Substance | PG | Criteria |
| Readily combustible solids (other than metal powders) | II | If the burning time is less than 45 s and the flame passes the wetted zone. |
| Readily combustible solids (other than metal powders) | III | If the burning time is less than 45 s and the wetted zone stops the flame propagation for at least four minutes. |
| Powders of metal or metal alloys | II | If the zone of reaction spreads over the whole length of the sample in five minutes or less. |
| Powders of metal or metal alloys | III | If the reaction spreads over the whole length of the sample in more than five minutes but not more than 10 min. |
| Solids which may cause fire through friction | The packing group shall be assigned by analogy with existing entries or in accordance with any appropriate special provision. |
Class 4.1 Self-reactive substances
No packing group assigned. Packagings and IBCs for self-reactive substances shall meet test provisions for packing group II.
Class 4.2 Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Pyrophoric solids & liquids Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, 33.3.1.4, Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, 33.3.1.5, Self-heating substances Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, 33.3.1.6
| Substance | PG | Criteria |
| Pyrophoric solids and liquids | I | By default |
| Self-heating substances | II | Which give a positive result in a test using a 25 mm cube sample at 140°C |
| Self-heating substances | III | 1. a positive result is obtained in a test using a 100 mm cube sample at 140°C and a negative result is obtained in a test using a 25 mm cube sample at 140°C and the substance is to be transported in packages with a volume of more than 3 m3; 2. a positive result is obtained in a test using a 100 mm cube sample at 140°C and a negative result is obtained in a test using a 25 mm cube sample at 140°C, a positive result is obtained in a test using a 100 mm cube sample at 120°C and the substance is to be transported in packages with a volume of more than 450 L; 3. a positive result is obtained in a test using a 100 mm cube sample at 140°C and a negative result is obtained in a test using a 25 mm cube sample at 140°C and a positive result is obtained in a test using a 100 mm cube sample at 100°C. |
Class 4.3 Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, 33.4.1
| Substance | PG | Criteria |
| In contact with water, emit flammable gases | I | Any substance which reacts vigorously with water at ambient temperatures and demonstrates generally a tendency for the gas produced to ignite spontaneously, or which reacts readily with water at ambient temperatures such that the rate of evolution of flammable gas is equal to or greater than 10 L per kilogram of substance over any one minute. |
| In contact with water, emit flammable gases | II | Any substance which reacts readily with water at ambient temperatures such that the maximum rate of evolution of flammable gas is equal to or greater than 20 litres per kilogram of substance per hour, and which does not meet the criteria for packing group I. |
| In contact with water, emit flammable gases | III | Any substance which reacts slowly with water at ambient temperatures such that the maximum rate of evolution of flammable gas is greater than 1 litre per kilogram of substance per hour, and which does not meet the criteria for packing groups I or II. |
Class 5.1 Oxidizing solids
Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, subsection 34.4.1 (test O.1) or subsection 34.4.3 (test O.3)
Test O.1
| Substance | PG | Criteria |
| Oxidizing solids | I | Any substance which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning time less than the mean burning time of a 3:2 mixture, by mass, of potassium bromate and cellulose. |
| Oxidizing solids | II | Any substance which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning time equal to or less than the mean burning time of a 2:3 mixture (by mass) of potassium bromate and cellulose, and the criteria for packing group I are not met. |
| Oxidizing solids | III | Any substance which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning time equal to or less than the mean burning time of a 3:7 mixture (by mass) of potassium bromate and cellulose, and the criteria for packing groups I and II are not met. |
Test O.3
| Substance | PG | Criteria |
| Oxidizing solids | I | Any substance which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning rate greater than the mean burning rate of a 3:1 mixture (by mass) of calcium peroxide and cellulose. |
| Oxidizing solids | II | Any substance which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning rate equal to or greater than the mean burning rate of a 1:1 mixture (by mass) of calcium peroxide and cellulose, and the criteria for packing group I are not met. |
| Oxidizing solids | III | Any substance which, in the 4:1 or 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio (by mass) tested, exhibits a mean burning rate equal to or greater than the mean burning rate of a 1:2 mixture (by mass) of calcium peroxide and cellulose, and the criteria for packing groups I and II are not met. |
Class 5.1 Oxidizing liquids
Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, 34.4.2
| Substance | PG | Criteria |
| Oxidizing liquids | I | Any substance which, in the 1:1 mixture (by mass) of substance and cellulose tested, spontaneously ignites; or the mean pressure rise time of a 1:1 mixture (by mass) of substance and cellulose is less than that of a 1:1 mixture (by mass) of 50% perchloric acid and cellulose. |
| Oxidizing liquids | II | Any substance which, in the 1:1 mixture (by mass) of substance and cellulose tested, exhibits a mean pressure rise time less than or equal to the mean pressure rise time of a 1:1 mixture (by mass) of 40% aqueous sodium chlorate solution and cellulose; and the criteria for packing group I are not met. |
| Oxidizing liquids | III | Any substance which, in the 1:1 mixture (by mass) of substance and cellulose tested, exhibits a mean pressure rise time less than or equal to the mean pressure rise time of a 1:1 mixture (by mass) of 65% aqueous nitric acid and cellulose; and the criteria for packing groups I and II are not met. |
Class 5.2 Organic peroxides
No packing group assigned. Packagings IBCs for organic peroxides shall meet test provisions for packing group II.
Class 6.1 Toxic substances
Grouping criteria for administration through oral ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation of dusts and mists
Class 6.2 Infectious substances
No packing group assigned.
Class 7 Radioactive material
No packing group assigned.
If using alternative packages or IBCs other than IP-2 & IP-3 they must meet packing group I or II level.
Class 8 Corrosive substances
- Manual of Tests and Criteria, part III, section 37
- OECD Guideline for the testing of chemicals No. 404, Acute Dermal Irritation/Corrosion, 2002.
- OECD Guideline for the testing of chemicals No. 435, In Vitro Membrane Barrier Test Method for Skin Corrosion, 2006.
- OECD Guideline for the testing of chemicals No. 430, In Vitro Skin Corrosion: Transcutaneous Electrical Resistance Test (TER), 2004.
- OECD Guideline for the testing of chemicals No. 431, In Vitro Skin Corrosion: Human Skin Model Test, 2004.
WhatsApp your queries
[…] For packing purposes, substances other than those of classes 1, 2, 5.2, 6.2 and 7, and other than self-reactive substances of class 4.1, are assigned to three packing groups in accordance with the degree of danger they present:Packing group I: substances presenting high danger;Packing group II: substances presenting medium danger; andPacking group III: substances presenting low danger.The packing group to which a substance is assigned is indicated in the Dangerous Goods List in chapter 3.2. (IMDG Code 2.0.1.3) Read What is packing group and how it is assigned to dangerous goods? […]
Class 9 missing in above page. Can you include?
Thanks for the feedback, I will update the article
Regards/Shashi
CAN WE LIST CHEMICALS OF PACKING GROUP 1, 2 & 3 UNDER PACKING GROUP 3 ONLY WHILE APPLYING FOR un CERTIFICATE ?
Avnish,
No, it can be but other way around. PG I tested packaging may be used for PG II or PG III.
But PG III tested packaging cannot be used for PG I or II DG.
Regards/Shashi
Can you please explain the table Class 8 Corrosive substances. Please i can’t understand.Thank you so much for your time
Elena,
What exactly are you wanting to know about class 8 corrosive substances?
Please drop a mail to shashi@shashikallada.com
thanks.