Why is a UN certification mark so important for packaging?


Example of UN marking

The UN mark, also known as the “UN Packaging Code” or “UN certification,” is mandatory for packaging used to transport hazardous substances or products. Here are a few reasons why the UN mark is so important: 

  • Safety: The UN mark guarantees that the packaging has been designed, tested, and certified according to strict international standards for the transport of dangerous goods. These standards have been developed to ensure the safe transport of dangerous goods, both for people and the environment. 
  • Legal requirements: There are legal requirements for the use of UN-certified packaging when transporting dangerous goods. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in fines, legal action, and even serious accidents. 
  • International acceptance: The UN mark is internationally recognized and accepted, making it easier to transport packaging bearing this mark across national borders without additional administrative hassle. 
  • Reliability: UN-certified packaging has been tested under strict conditions to ensure that it can withstand the specific requirements of transporting hazardous substances, such as impact, compression, and leakage. This increases the reliability of the packaging and reduces the risk of accidents during transport. 
  • Environmental protection: By meeting UN certification requirements, packaging is designed to minimize the risk of leakage or spillage of hazardous substances, reducing the impact on the environment in the event of an accident or incident. 

In short, UN approval is crucial for the safety, legal compliance, international acceptance, reliability, and environmental protection of packaging used for the transport of dangerous goods.