Why is an UN quality label so important in packaging?

The UN quality mark, also known as the ‘UN Packaging Code’ or ‘UN certification’, is mandatory in packaging used for the transport of hazardous substances or products. Below are a few reasons why the UN approval is so important:

• Safety: The UN quality mark guarantees that the packaging has been designed, tested and certified according to strict international standards for the transport of hazardous products. These standards have been developed to ensure the safety of transporting dangerous goods, both for people and the environment.
• Legal requirements: There are legal requirements for the use of UN-certified packaging when transporting hazardous products. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to fines, legal prosecution and even serious accidents.
• International acceptance: The UN mark is internationally recognised and accepted, making it easier for packaging bearing this mark to be transported across national borders without additional red tape.
• Reliability: UN-certified packaging is tested under strict conditions to ensure that it can withstand the specific requirements of transporting hazardous materials, such as impact, compression and leakage. This increases packaging reliability and reduces the risk of accidents during transport.
• Environmental protection: By complying with UN certification requirements, packaging is designed with a view to minimising the risk of hazardous substances leaking or spilling, which reduces the impact on the environment in case 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 to transport dangerous products.