Transporting or storing hazardous materials via FIBC requires careful adherence to safety and precision. Industries that handle toxic substances, environmentally harmful materials, or corrosive chemicals, in particular, should only use UN-certified bulk bags. These Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) are designed to meet stringent UN (United Nations) approved standards, ensuring the safe handling of hazardous goods without the risk of leaks, degradation, or contamination. In this article, we will explain what UN-certified FIBCs are and how they’re used in various sectors.
What are UN Certified Bulk Bags?
UN-certified bulk bags are tested for compliance with UN standards for the safe transport and storage of hazardous materials. Each bag is independently tested and then certified to withstand the various risks associated with transporting dangerous goods, such as combustion, leakage, or environmental contamination.
These bags undergo various drop tests, top lift tests, vibration tests, righting tests, topple tests, tear resistance assessments, and stacking tests to confirm their durability. The certification guarantees that your bag can handle the specific risks posed by the substances they carry, and also helps ensure regulatory compliance, protection for your workers, and environmental safety.
Common industries that use UN-certified bulk bags include chemical manufacturing and processing, pharmaceuticals, mining and quarrying, agriculture, and waste management. Investing in UN-certified bulk bags for hazardous materials improves safety in storage and transport and reduces your overall risk level throughout the supply chain. It’s important to note that most FIBCs used for hazardous substances are designed for single use and should not be reused unless explicitly certified as multi-use and properly reconditioned. Bags must be thoroughly cleaned and disposed of or recycled in accordance with local and international waste handling regulations. If you're unsure about reusability or recycling requirements, consult an expert at Cliffe Packaging.
UN Classifications for FIBC Bulk Bags
There are several categories of UN-certified FIBCs, the main ones being:
- Class 4.1 to 4.3: these bags are designed to transport flammable solids or self-reactive substances that are prone to chemical instability, as well as water-reactive substances – i.e. materials that emit hazardous gases in contact with water.
- Class 5.1 to 5.2: these can be used to transport ‘oxidisers’ – which are substances that can intensify combustion reactions, and organic peroxides, which are solid compounds that pose an explosion risk.
- Class 6.1: These durable and corrosion-resistant bags are designed to contain toxic substances with the potential to cause harm or even fatalities if they come into contact with humans.
- Class 7: These are designed to transport radioactive substances such as spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, medical isotopes, and uranium and plutonium
- Class 8: These are for corrosive materials that could chemically degrade or destroy other bulk bags on contact.
- Class 9: This class covers a wide range of potentially dangerous products, including materials with environmental hazards (e.g. sewage, certain polymers, and lithium batteries).
UN hazardous material classifications, Classes 1 to 3 are not applicable to bulk bags.
Download our Cliffe Packaging Bulk Bags Brochure
To find out more, please click here to download our bulk bags brochure and explore a variety of UN-certified options, technical specifications, and compliance details to help you make the right choice for hazardous material transport.
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