4.1 The purpose of this guide is to provide direction for uniform conditioning methodology when conducting special preparations of plastic packagings as prescribed for conducting United Nations (UN) drop test. This guide provides a uniform approach for conditioning of plastic packaging intended for liquid hazardous materials (dangerous goods).

4.2 The hazardous materials (dangerous goods) regulations certification process requires that plastic packagings undergo special preparations before performing the UN drop test. The regulations do not include uniform procedures for conducting special preparations. Non-uniform procedures allow for differences in methods between test facilities which may result in different test results.

4.3 49 CFR 178.603(c) state that special conditioning for drop testing is required for all plastic drums, plastic jerricans, plastic boxes (other than expanded polystyrene boxes), composite packagings (plastic material), and combination packagings with plastic inner packagings (other than plastic bags intended to contain solids or articles). It further states that drop testing shall be conducted when the temperature of the test sample (packagings and contents) has been reduced to –18°C or lower. Test liquids shall be kept in the liquid state, if necessary, by the addition of antifreeze. Water/antifreeze solutions with a minimum 0.95 specific gravity for testing at –18°C or lower are considered acceptable test liquids. These conditioning requirements also apply to IBCs and Large Packagings. Refer to 49 CFR §178.810(b)(4) and §178.965(c), respectively.

4.4 A 24-hour conditioning period may not be sufficient time for the packaging and contents to reach the required temperature.

4.5 This guide provides additional information not in the regulations that will facilitate consistent test sample conditioning among test facilities. The information and guidance provided here are intended to meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the regulations.

4.6 For more information on the UN certification tests, refer to Guide D4919. For guidance on determining the appropriate fill materials for preparing samples for UN certification testing, refer to Guide D7887 for liquids and Guide D8135 for solids materials.

1.1 This guide is intended to provide a standardized method and a set of basic instructions for special preparation conditioning of drop test samples being subjected to United Nations (UN) performance-oriented packaging certification as required by United States Department of Transportation Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN).

1.2 This guide provides guidance on conditioning test samples for drop testing plastic Non-Bulk Packaging, Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC), and Large Packaging designs intended for liquid hazardous materials (dangerous goods) as required by 49 CFR §178.603(c)(1), §178.810(b)(4), and §178.965(c), respectively. This guide also provides the minimum information that should be documented when conducting special preparation conditioning.

1.3 The user of this guide shall be trained in accordance with 49 CFR §172.700 and other applicable hazardous materials regulations including: the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), and carrier rules such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations.

1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.