UN Approved Plastic Jerricans: What Are They and When Are They Used?

UN approved plastic jerricans are widely used for transporting dangerous goods where a single packaging made from plastic is permitted by the applicable dangerous goods regulations.

Unlike combination packaging, a UN plastic jerrican is designed to contain the dangerous substance directly within the jerrican with no additional outer required. Depending on the dangerous goods and the related packing instructions within the applicable DG transport regulations, plastic jerricans can be used for a wide range of liquids and in some cases, solids.

Air Sea Containers supplies a range of UN approved plastic jerricans in different capacities, specifications and colours for transporting dangerous goods.

Still not sure if you need single or combination packing? Here we explain the difference between Single and Combination Packaging.

What is a UN plastic jerrican?

A UN approved plastic jerrican is a jerrican that has undergone and passed the applicable packaging performance testing requirements. outlined in the relevant mode of transport dangerous goods regulations i.e. ADR, IATA & IMDG.s.

Plastic jerricans are identified as:

• 3H1 – plastic jerrican, non-removable head
• 3H2 – plastic jerrican, removable head (IATA states openings exceeding 7cm in diameter are considered to be removable head-type)

Dangerous goods regulations specify the jerrican must be made of  suitable plastic material and be of adequate strength to its capacity and intended use, it must be resistance to ageing and degradation caused by the substance or by ultra-violet radiation, and closures that remain secure and leakproof under normal conditions of carriage.

What does the UN Mark on a plastic jerrican mean?

A UN specification mark contains important information about the packaging.

For example:

3H1/Y1.9/200/

The individual elements identify characteristics of the packaging, including:

• 3 – jerrican
• H – plastics
• 1 – non-removable head
• Y – packing group performance level
• 1.9 – relevant density of liquid
• 200 – Pressure test capability

You can read more about understanding UN specification marks here.

What are UN plastic jerricans used for?

UN approved plastic jerricans can be used when the relevant packaging instruction for the substance being transported permits the use of single packaging, plastic jerricans. Shippers must also be aware that it is their responsibility to check the substance is compatible with the packaging material prior to use.

Potential applications include:

• Chemicals
• Industrial liquids
• Laboratory chemicals
• Cleaning products
• Corrosive substances
• Flammable liquids
• Hazardous waste
• Other compatible dangerous goods

The suitability of a particular jerrican depends on the substance being transported, packing group, relative density, capacity and all other packaging requirements set out on the applicable packing instruction, the chemical compatibility must also be checked.

Why use HDPE plastic jerricans?

Many UN plastic jerricans are manufactured from HDPE because suitable HDPE packaging can provide a combination of:

• Chemical resistance
• Strength
• Durability
• Relatively low weight
• Resistance to corrosion

However, plastic should not automatically be assumed to be compatible with every dangerous substance. Chemical compatibility must be considered for the specific contents.

What size UN plastic jerrican do I need?

The required capacity depends on the quantity being transported and the applicable packing instruction requirements.

Air Sea Containers supplies plastic jerricans in different capacities, allowing customers to select a suitable package for their application.

The largest practical container is not necessarily the best choice. Consider:

• Quantity of product
• Maximum permitted capacity
• Packing Group
• Product density
• Handling requirements
• Transport mode
• Applicable packing instruction

Are regulations for shipping UN plastic jerricans by road, sea and air transport the same?

No.

ADR applies to the carriage of dangerous goods by road. Sea transport is subject to the IMDG Code, while air transport is subject to the applicable ICAO Technical Instructions and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. These requirements are not necessarily identical.

Air transport can impose additional requirements, including airline or operator variations. IATA states that its DGR provides more specific requirements for preparing shipments and that airlines may impose additional requirements.

Always check the regulations applicable to the actual mode of transport before selecting or using packaging.

What information do I need when ordering a UN plastic jerrican?

To identify a suitable jerrican, it is useful to know:

1. UN number
2. Proper shipping name
3. Packing Group
4. Liquid or solid
5. Quantity/volume of goods
6. Product density, where relevant
7. Transport mode
8. Any specific packaging requirements

Providing this information allows the packaging to be assessed against the applicable requirements rather than simply selecting a container based on capacity.

Explore our UN plastic jerrican range

Air Sea Containers supplies UN approved plastic jerricans in a range of capacities and specifications for compatible dangerous goods.

For applications where plastic is not the preferred packaging material, we also supply UN tinplate jerricans.

Want to know more about UN approved packaging? We discuss the differences here.