UN Tinplate Drums

UN Certified (Approved)Packaging can be identified by a UN Specification Mark printed or embossed on the packaging. UN Approved Tinplate Drums are a form of steel so will have a UN Mark starting with either of the following Codes:

• 1A1 = Drum, A = Steel, 1 = Non removable head
• 1A2 = Drum, A = Steel, 2 = Removable head

A 1A1 tinplate drum is a drum with a non-removable head. They are suitable for transporting dangerous goods as liquids or solids depending on what the drum was tested and approved for. Users should refer to the UN Mark to ascertain whether the drum is approved for Solids or Liquid.

Each drum will have been tested and certified for a specific Packing Group, which will be displayed within the UN Mark, this could be X (I), Y (II) or Z (III).

You can use packaging certified for PG X when transporting substances assigned to PG I, II or III. Whereas packaging certified for PG Y can only be used for PG II and III substances and PG Z can only be used for PG III substances.

The UN marks do not provide full details of the test levels undertaken, these can be confirmed by referring to the test certificate.

A 1A2 tinplate drum is a UN certified drum with a removable head.

Users should refer to the UN Mark to ascertain whether the drum is approved for Solids or Liquid.  As with 1A1 packaging, each drum will have been tested and certified for a specific Packing Group, again, users should refer to the UN Mark to see what packing group the drum has been approved for.

Read more about understanding UN Specification Marks here

As the drum has a UN Specification Mark this identifies that the drum is UN Approved and can be used to transport dangerous goods without the need of outer packaging. Users must refer to the relevant transport regulations to ascertain whether their substance is permitted in single packaging or requires combination packaging.

Single packaging can also be used as inner packaging for those transporting dangerous goods where regulations state combination packaging is required. An example of this is when sending infectious substances. You can read more about the requirements of infectious substance packaging here.  For those requiring thermal control, temperature control packaging can also be used as the outer packaging.

Our UN Certified tinplate drums have been specially produced for the safe transport of dangerous materials.

When our products bear a UN mark, it signifies they are UN Approved and have undergone specific testing providing confirmation that your packaging meets the safety standards required when transporting dangerous goods.

Tinplate drums are made of thin sheets of steel coated with tin. This is why the drums UN material code use the initial A which signifies that it is Steel.

Coating the steel sheets with tin can impede rusting and maintain the integrity of the drum or barrel.

There are many benefits to using tinplate for UN Certified drums (often called barrels or pails). These barrels are strong and resistant to corrosion. Making them the perfect choice for the transportation of suitable dangerous goods.

It is the shippers responsibility to check the suitability/compatibility of the UN packaging material for the dangerous goods substance in question.