Dangerous Goods Packaging: What Does ADR Require?
Anyone shipping dangerous goods by road needs UN-certified packaging with the correct marking. This guide explains the UN code, the three ADR packing groups and how to assemble a design-tested shipment properly.
View packagingWhy is a plain box not enough for dangerous goods?
Road transport of hazardous materials is governed by the ADR agreement. It requires many substances to travel only in UN-certified (design-tested) packaging. This packaging has passed standardised drop, stacking and leakproofness tests and carries an embossed UN code.
An ordinary box or jerrican without approval is not permitted once a substance is assigned a UN number and a packing group. The assignment comes from the dangerous goods table 3.2 of the ADR and defines which packing instruction (for example P001 for liquids) applies.
How do you read the UN code on the packaging?
The UN code starts with the packaging symbol (a u n in a circle) and encodes the type, material, packing group, test mass or density, test pressure, year of manufacture and country of approval. At a glance you can see what the packaging is cleared for.
- X = tested for packing groups I, II and III (most dangerous goods).
- Y = tested for packing groups II and III.
- Z = tested for packing group III only.
- The final digits give the year of manufacture - the design must not be over-age when purchased.
Which packing group does your substance need?
The packing group (PG) describes the degree of danger and determines how robust the packaging must be. It appears in column 5 of the dangerous goods table and is fixed to the substance, not freely chosen.
Packaging tested to X may always take lower groups too, but not the reverse. For PG I you therefore need an X packaging, while a Z packaging only covers PG III.
How do you assemble a compliant ADR shipment?
A valid shipment consists of certified inner and outer packaging, suitable cushioning and absorbent material, plus complete marking. Everything must match the relevant packing instruction, otherwise the shipment is not compliant.
- Close inner packaging tightly and secure it against movement.
- For liquids add absorbent material able to take up the entire volume.
- Fill the outer box per its approval and do not exceed the gross mass.
- Apply the hazard label (diamond) and the UN number prefixed with u n.
- For combination packaging keep to the number of inner receptacles tested.
Frequently asked questions
What does UN-certified packaging mean?
The design has passed the required drop, stacking and leakproofness tests and carries an embossed UN code. Only such packaging is approved for labelled dangerous goods.
How do I read the packing group from the code?
The letter after the material reveals it: X covers PG I, II and III, Y covers groups II and III, Z only group III. For high danger (PG I) an X code is mandatory.
Can I use a Y packaging for packing group III?
Yes. Packaging tested to a higher level may always take lower packing groups. Y is approved for PG II and III, so it is fine for PG III.
How old may dangerous goods packaging be?
The year of manufacture is in the UN code. Plastic packaging may usually be used for a maximum of five years from manufacture; for other types follow the approval and condition.
Looking for UN-certified dangerous goods packaging?
We supply design-tested combination and outer packaging with a valid UN code, matching absorbent material and marking - tailored to your packing group.
Design-tested
All packaging carries a valid UN code under ADR.
All groups
Matching design for packing groups I to III.
Fully equipped
Absorbent material, marking and inner packaging included.
Expert advice
Our technical editors help with the selection.