Answer
Dangerous goods are broadly classified into three packing groups, based on the degree of danger they pose. As stated in Title 49 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), a Packing Group means a grouping according to the degree of danger presented by hazardous materials:
Packing group I indicates great danger Packing group II indicates medium danger. Packing group III indicates minor danger.
Hazardous materials need to be packed, handled, and shipped according to the risks they pose. Highly corrosive substances, for instance, should not be shipped in metal packages, as they might react with the metal surface, damage the package and result in a hazmat transportation Incident. Similarly, it stands to reason that a hazmat that has been classified as a packing group I would be required to be transported in a more stringent packaging than a hazmat that has been classified as a packing group II or III.
Examples of packaging performance tests include:( As per 49 CFR part 178)
| Drop Testing |
After successful test UN specification code mark issue for packaging.
There are three type of rating for packing
An X rating indicates suitability for packing groups I, II, & III. This represents the most stringent packaging. AY rating indicates suitability for packing groups II & III. This represents a medium level of packaging stringency.
AZ rating indicates suitability for packing group III only. This represents the least stringent packaging.
