# Unpacking Packaging Codes Brochure - **operation:** document - **citation:** PHMSA Guidance, Unpacking Packaging Codes Brochure - **title:** Unpacking Packaging Codes Brochure - **source type:** guidance - **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration - **status:** guidance - **official:** true - **published on:** 2023-04-14 - **effective on:** 2023-04-14 - **summary:** Unpacking Packaging Codes Brochure Document Unpacking-Packaging-Codes-PHH50-0202-0423.pdf (284.26 KB) Issued Date: Friday, April 14, 2023 - **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-unpacking-packaging-codes-brochure-a01c8c01.json - **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-unpacking-packaging-codes-brochure-a01c8c01.md - **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-unpacking-packaging-codes-brochure-a01c8c01 - **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulatory-compliance/phmsa-guidance/unpacking-packaging-codes-brochure **body:** Unpacking Packaging Codes Brochure Document Unpacking-Packaging-Codes-PHH50-0202-0423.pdf (284.26 KB) Issued Date: Friday, April 14, 2023 <<>> UNPACKING PACKAGING CODES UNPACKING PACKAGING CODES A QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO PERFORMANCE PACKAGING CODES 1 3 4 5 7 2 6 1A2/X20/S/23/ USA/0000 3 1 PACKAGING CODE § 178.502 Three-part number/letter combination, including: • • • Kind of packaging, indicated by a numeral. For example, “1” indicates a Drum. Material of construction, indicated by a capital letter. For example, “A” means Steel. Composite packagings will include two letters: one for the material of the inner receptacle, the other for the material of the outer packaging. Packaging category, or the type of package within its kind, indicated by a numeral (see list in §§ 178.504 – 178.523). Example: an open head drum would be indicated by a “2,” as opposed to a closed head drum “1”. Do you see additional letters after the packaging code? A letter “W” means the design recieved Administrator approval, while “V” means it is special “variation” packaging. 2 PERFORMANCE LEVEL § 178.503(a)(3) Identifies the performance standard for successful testing of the packaging. X – Packagings meeting Packing Group I, II, and III test standards Y – Packagings meeting Packing Group II and III test standards Z – Packagings meeting Packing Group III test standards 3 SPECIFIC GRAVITY (LIQUIDS) OR GROSS MASS (SOLIDS) § 178.503(a)(4) • Liquids (without inner packagings): specific gravity for which the packaging design has been tested (if over 1.2) • Solids (or inner packagings): maximum permitted gross mass (in kg) 4 SOLID OR LIQUID § 178.503(a)(5) • Liquids (without inner packagings): hydrostatic test pressure (kPa) • Solids (or inner packagings): the letter “S” 5 YEAR OF MANUFACTURE (TWO-DIGITS) § 178.503(a)(6) Note: Plastic drums and jerricans (1H and 3H) must also be marked with the month of manufacture. 6 COUNTRY OF AUTHORIZATION § 178.503(a)(7) Country designation code indicates where the package is manufactured and marked. 7 MANUFACTURER IDENTIFICATION (M-NUMBER) § 178.503(a)(8) Name and address or authorized symbol of packaging manufacturer or certifying agency. Do you see additional letters not listed above? The letter “R” means a reconditioned packaging, and the letter “L” means it passed a leakproofness test. See 49 CFR 178.503 for more on reconditioned packaging codes.  For additional information contact the Hazardous Materials Info Center Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20590 1-800-HMR-4922 (1-800-467-4922) Email: infocntr@dot.gov http://www.phmsa.dot.gov PHH50-0202-0423 The contents of this guide do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the guide is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the Hazardous Materials Regulations. - **truncated:** false - **body characters:** 2977