Dilemmas of dangerous goods packaging testing in aspect of special shipping environment

Abstract

A large quantity of hazardous materials is transported each year in the supply chains. In order to ensure safe transport, separate regulations have been developed for each modes of transportation, so dangerous goods can be transported only according to strict regulations. However, the supply chains have changed significantly recently. In accordance with today's needs, the volume of LTL (less-than-truckload) and parcel delivery is increasing. Different types of packaged-products, often from different shippers and intended for different ultimate destinations, are mixed in the same load. That’s why the damage-producing motions, forces, conditions, and sequences of transport environments are different, than in FTL (full-truck-load) transport environment. In case of standard packaging tests, the test program is depends on the mode of transportation and the testing program is designed to provide a laboratory simulation of that shipping environment. Regardless of the mode of transportation, ADR requires the same packaging testing. In our study, the three most commonly used and applied packaging were investigated. Packaging tests were performed according to ADR and ISTA 3A testing programs on different combined packaging. Based on the results of the tests, it can be stated that in addition to the ADR regulations, the parameters of the standard packaging testing standards must also be taken into account in order to ensure safe transportation of dangerous goods.