As the start of a new year approaches, it\u2019s time for parties, resolutions \u2013 and to check our dangerous goods\/hazmat procedures, and see what\u2019s changing. If you are a shipper of non-bulk packagings, one thing to watch out for is the new size limit for identification numbers that will be introduced in many regulations for 2014.<\/p>\n
Identification numbers (which cover UN numbers, NA numbers and ID numbers) are the main way for packages to be identified as to their contents, in a format that does not depend on language. In the past, incidents have occurred because these numbers were marked on dangerous goods\u00a0packages, but were not large enough to be seen easily. Therefore, the United Nations has, in the UN Recommendations for Dangerous Goods, established minimum size requirements.<\/p>\n
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The size minimums are:<\/strong><\/p>\n These size minimums will be mandatory for shipment under the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG), starting January 1, 2014. So, make sure that your packages transported by international air and ocean are properly marked. Shipments with smaller markings will run the risk of being refused transport, or even cited as violations.<\/p>\n While the US Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) contain the size minimums, section 172.301(a)(i) indicates that, for domestic shipment within the United States, these minimums will not be mandatory until January 1, 2017. Of course, some carriers may prefer that you meet these minimums before that date.<\/p>\n Canada, however, has not yet put these requirements into the current Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations. Even so, designing your markings with these minimums in mind can indicate due diligence in ensuring your hazard communication is up to the highest standard.<\/p>\n If you have any questions that ICC The Compliance Center Inc. can assist you with regarding the changes to the marking requirements, please contact us at 1-888-977-4834 (Canada) or 1-888-442-9628 (US).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the start of a new year approaches, it\u2019s time for parties, resolutions \u2013 and to check our dangerous goods\/hazmat…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12546,"featured_media":5172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2365,2413,2494,2661,2732,2740],"tags":[2362,2368,2396,2455,2594,2685,2739],"class_list":["post-2283","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-regulations-cat","category-tdg-regulation-updates","category-iata-and-icao","category-49-cfr-regulation-updates","category-regulation-updates","category-imdg-code-regulation-updates","tag-dangerous-goods","tag-49-cfr","tag-icao","tag-iata","tag-imdg-code","tag-marking","tag-identification-number"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n