In order for a drum to be compliant with UN certification, each packaging must be embossed and durably marked with a proper UN nomenclature sequence. Though inconsequential to the test performance of a package, DOT markings are critical for package identification and regulation. For the most part US packaging manufacturers are putting the required information on packaging in both durable and embossed formats, but some minor errors have surfaced. For instance, for the UN emblem, the letters “un” must appear vertically in lower case – upper case letters are non-compliant. If the emblem is not used, then the upper case letters positioned horizontally are required. Also, for packagings that have more than one certification, some manufacturers were noting the year of manufacture only once, when this information would have to be a part of each certified marking. CFR 178.503 specifically states the sequence for marking information. While the DOT does not consider these non-compliance issues to be a safety issue, it is best that all manufacturers and fillers verify that the markings on their packagings are compliant. To better understand the marking sequence, we have prepared 4 examples of UN markings with a break out of the meaning of each character. Click here to see the UN markings.
DOT/UN