UN Plastic Drums

UN-approved plastic drums meet strict safety standards established by the United Nations. These standards ensure that the drums are suitable for transporting hazardous and non-hazardous materials safely.

UN Certified (Approved) Packaging can be identified by a UN Specification Mark printed or embossed on the packaging. UN Approved Plastic drums will feature a UN Mark starting with either of the following Codes:

1H1 = Drum, H = Plastic, 1 = Non removable head

1H2 = Drum, H = Plastic, 2 = Removable head

Your required type of UN plastic drum will be based on your specific transport requirements and hazardous substances.

A 1H1 plastic drum is a UN-certified drum with a non-removable head. These plastic drums can be used for the delivery of dangerous liquids or solids depending on what they have been approved with during testing.

Users should refer to the UN Mark to ascertain whether the drum is approved for Solids or Liquids.

Each UN drum will have been tested and certified for a specific Packing Group, which will be displayed within the UN Mark. This could be X (I), Y (II) or Z (III).

You can use packaging certified for PG X when transporting substances assigned to PG I, II or III. Packaging certified for PG Y can only be used for PG II and III substances, and PG Z can only be used for PG III substances.

The UN Marks provide only partial details of all the tests undertaken. Full test details can be confirmed by referring to the test certificate.

Yes, our UN approved hazardous material drums are specifically designed for safe handling and transportation of suitable dangerous goods.

It is the shipper’s responsibility to refer to the correct mode of transport regulations to ascertain whether the dangerous goods are suitable for the container.

A 1H2 plastic drum is a UN-certified drum with a removable head. Again, these plastic drums can be used for hazardous liquids or solids, depending on what they have been approved for during testing. As with the 1H2 drums, each drum will have been tested and certified by a specific Packing Group (X, Y, or Z).

The UN marks alone do not provide full details of the test levels undertaken; these can be confirmed by referring to the test certificate.

Read more about understanding UN Specification Marks.

If the substance or the article is on the dangerous goods list, typically, you would need UN Approved Packaging.

UN packaging is higher spec than everyday packaging. To receive the UN certification, plastic drums will need to go through rigorous testing set out in the transport regulations to ensure the drums are capable of retaining contents within the packaging.

The type of dangerous goods you are transporting will dictate which type of drum you can use.  Reach out to our team of packaging experts to get the right packaging for your business today.

Our 1H1 and 1H2 plastic drums are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). These are all suitable for use as single-packaging and come in a range of different sizes.

What makes HDPE suitable is the resistance to both high and low PH levels. This makes it a great choice for a lot of different dangerous goods.

It is the shipper’s responsibility to check the suitability/compatibility of the UN packaging material for the dangerous goods in question. For example, some contents, such as specific solvents, are not suitable for use in HDPE plastic drums. In this case, a UN steel drum may be an appropriate choice for your products.

Yes. At Air Sea Containers, we also have a range of hazard labels in 100mm x 100mm and 250mm x 250mm sizes available to ensure that your dangerous goods packaging remains compliant.

UN-approved plastic drums are clearly marked with a UN certification symbol, followed by specific codes that indicate the container type, material, and testing specifications.

As the drum has a UN Specification Mark, it is identified as UN approved and can be used to transport dangerous goods without the need for outer packaging.

Users must refer to the relevant transport regulations to ascertain whether their substance is permitted in single packaging or requires combination packaging.

Single packaging can also be used as inner packaging for those transporting dangerous goods where regulations state combination packaging is required.

They are commonly used for the safe transport and storage of hazardous liquids and solids and are widely utilised in industries such as chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and hazardous waste management.

For example, UN plastic drums can be safely used to transport suitable chemicals, petrochemicals, flammable liquids or oils.

Yes, UN-approved plastic drums can be reused (depending on what they were used to transport) if they are properly cleaned and inspected for damage or contamination.

Always ensure compliance with local regulations regarding reuse, particularly for drums previously used to store hazardous materials.

Yes.

You must ensure that the drum is compatible with the material being transported and that it is adequately sealed. Additionally, it’s essential to follow all local and international regulations for labelling and handling of hazardous materials.

UN-approved plastic drums are designed to withstand a range of temperatures, but please note that the specific tolerance varies by plastic barrel used.

Always check the specifications for guidance on temperature limits, or get in touch with us directly for guidance.

Yes, most of our UN-approved plastic drums come with compatible lids, caps, and sealing rings to ensure proper closure. Some of our blue barrel options also have handles, making them easier to manoeuvre and handle.