On the new Skolnik web site, we recently posted a valuable chart that indicates the current UN Certified products available from Skolnik (https://www.skolnik.com/uncerts.pdf), and the dates that these certifications expire. As a result, we have received many calls inquiring why the certifications expire. Per CFR 178.601(e), the US Department of Transportation allows manufacturer‘s to annually self-certify their products in accordance with 178.601, 178.602, 178.603 (Drop Test), 178.604 (Leakproofness Test), 178.605 (Hydrostatic Pressure Test), and 178.606 (Stacking Test). It is mandatory that certifications are valid on the day a product is manufactured. Once manufactured, the certification is good for the life of the drum. Should a manufacturer choose not to re-certify a product, this only prevents the manufacturer from making this design type. Drums manufactured under valid certification periods are covered for the extent of useful life. It is also important to note that the certification is for the date the product is manufactured, not the date the product is sold. Therefore, if manufactured under a valid UN certification, and at some point in the future, this certification expires; the UN status of the drum is not affected.
DOT/UN
‘Drums manufactured under valid certification periods are covered for the extent of useful life’. Kindly provide a reference for this information. Is it from the IATA manual or the UN recommendation for the transportation of dangerous goods?
Hello Bernard,
Thank you for sending in your question. When a drum is receives it’s certification, the use of that drum is unending, as long as the drum will perform in the future, as it did when it was certified. The DOT does not issue an expiration date of the drum, only an expiration date of the testing and test certificate. However, it is industry knowledge that gaskets do diminish with use, and a shipper must be careful to inspect the gasket, and any other components that look questionable, when closing the package. If a component is questionable, that component should be replaced with the item that came from the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to be sure that it complies with the components used for the original product certification. Using non-OEM components will invalidate the certification.
I hope this information is helpful. With thanks,
Howard Skolnik