Nearly 10 years since the introduction of Performance Oriented Packaging, many drums users are still asking for the old familiar Specification Packaging drums that often were identified by a number/letter combination (ie: 17E, 17H, 37M). It was in response to improved technology and creative solutions to manufacturing, that the United Nations led the world to convert from packaging made to a specific criteria to a system that would allow for packaging innovations resulting from successful testing. Performance Oriented Packaging (POPS) was first introduced in the USA in 1991, and ultimately became the only acceptable certification program for packaging and transporting dangerous goods. Like the specification packaging requirements, POPS does require that packaging be able to withstand the rigors of drop height, hydraulic pressure, leakproofness and stacking strength with varying degrees of severity based on the hazard level of the product being shipped. Being able to understand the nomenclature on the POPS packaging is critical to insuring full understanding of the packaging capabilities as the embossment and durable marks indicate the hazard class, specific gravity, maximum allowable weight and testing party of each unit. For more information about understanding the POPS standards and requirements, contact either myself or one of the Skolnik sales staff. We are schooled on methods of being able to explain this, often complex, regulatory system.
HazMat