
UN-Certified Jerry Cans: What Makes Them Suitable for Dangerous Goods?
Transporting hazardous materials like chemicals or fuels requires strict safety compliance, and UN-certified jerry cans are a trusted solution. Their durable design, specialized materials, and global certification offer essential protection during transit. This article explores what makes a jerry can UN-certified and why it’s ideal for handling dangerous goods. Understanding UN Certification UN-certified semi-collapsible jerry cans meet regulations established by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. These standards are adopted globally and integrated into regional regulations, such as: The international road transportation of hazardous materials is covered by the European Dispute Resolution (ADR) process. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, or IMDGs Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) of the United States The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) laws governing dangerous goods UN-certified containers, including jerry cans, undergo rigorous testing and evaluation before they are approved for use in transporting hazardous goods across borders, modes of transport, and industries. What Makes a Jerry Can “UN-Certified”? A jerry can becomes UN-certified only when it passes a series of stringent design and performance tests that simulate real-world handling, accidents, and environmental stress. Key components of the certification process include: 1. Material and Structural Requirements UN-certified jerry cans are made from high-grade materials that resist chemical degradation and physical deformation. The most common ones are: High-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is well known for its remarkable chemical resistance and hardness. Steel: Used for flammable or highly reactive liquids. Composite materials: Sometimes layered with plastic or fiber reinforcements for extra strength. The structure must include stable sidewalls, reinforced corners, and leakproof closures to prevent rupture or spills during impact or pressure changes. 2. Performance Testing To obtain UN certification, jerry cans must pass multiple tests simulating harsh transport conditions: Drop Test: Filled cans are dropped from predetermined heights (often 1.2m or more) onto different surfaces to check for cracking or leakage. Leakproofness Test: Pressure is applied internally to ensure there are no leaks from seams, caps, or closures. Hydrostatic Pressure Test: Containers are pressurized with water for a specified time to assess structural integrity under pressure. Stacking Test: Weight is applied on top of the container for extended periods to simulate storage and transport stacking. Vibration Test: Simulates the shaking during road or sea travel to ensure the container doesn’t degrade or loosen. Internal Pressure Test: Verifies the can’s ability to withstand internal gas build-up without bursting. Only containers that pass all these tests are embossed or labeled with a UN marking code that identifies their specifications and capabilities. Decoding the UN Marking on Semi-Collapsible Jerry Cans Each UN-certified collapsible jerry can bears a permanent UN marking, usually printed or molded into the container. Here’s an example and what each part means: UN 3H1/Y1.9/150/23 USA/M4567 UN: Indicates compliance with UN standards. 3H1: Code for a plastic jerry can without a removable head. Y: Indicates packaging group (Y = II & III; X = I, II, III). 1.9: Maximum specific gravity of the liquid it can safely contain.



