Introduced and adopted at the United Nations, Salvage Drums (defined as Salvage Packagings) are to be used when a shipping container has been damaged, is leaking, or is packaged in a manner which is non-compliant with regulatory specifications. Until 2002, damaged or leaking packagings were the only authorized use for Salvage Packagings, but as a result of several in-field incidents, the definition was amended to include non-compliant packagings. Prior to this amendment, a non-compliant package would have to be repackaged at the location of discovery, and repackaging could be a dangerous solution. With the development of HM-215E, the US DOT overlooked the inclusion of this amendment in the CFR and will be addressing it at the upcoming notice of proposed rulemaking. Until this is addressed. Salvage Packagings within the US are not to be used for non-compliant packagings.
DOT/UN Salvage Drum