Packaging - Dangerous goods
Accidents and incidents can occur when transporting goods of any type, but when these goods are classified as being 'dangerous' the consequences can be very serious. For example, the spillage of dangerous goods can lead to fire, explosion or chemical burn. Although accidents associated with transporting dangerous goods carried by road, rail, inland waterway, or when in a harbour area, can never be completely eliminated, the packaging used for their transport plays a key role in greatly minimizing such risks.
Thanks to ISO 16104:2003, ISO is helping prevent the release of dangerous substances into the environment and contribute to the overall safety of people and property.
The standard provides internationally recognized test methods for showing that the packaging used meets minimum international requirements in the worldwide transport of dangerous goods. It will help ensure the effectiveness of the packaging design in providing adequate physical safeguards for the given dangerous product. The standard is performance-based and imposes no design specifications other than a few general requirements.
The standard was developed with a view to providing requirements and test procedures designed to meet the multi-modal United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
Note: The UN Recommendations have been developed by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods as a "model regulation" in the light of technical progress, the advent of new substances and materials, the exigencies of modern transport systems and, above all, the need to ensure the safety of people, property and the environment.