New Test Protocol for Hazardous Materials Transportation
TP 14850
Micom Laboratories are happy to inform you that the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has recently withdrawn its CAN/CGSB-43.150-97 standard which has been replaced by Transport Canada’s TP14850 new standard last July (2014). This new standard is based on the chemical composition and intended use of your product, one or more of the following tests will be performed to acquire a UN box testing certification to TP14850: drop Test per ASTM D5276, compression resistance per ASTM D4577, Internal pressure per ASTM D3078, leak test and Water resistance per TAPPI T441 (Cobb test).
Even though TP 14850 has been formally adopted last July and replaced CAN/CGSB 43.150, this new specification has been in the background for some time already. Technically, it has the same requirements and tests as the CGSB standard with the exception that the chemical compatibility requirement has been removed. The document is to be looked at as a better version of the former standard; it gives more details for identifying the proper code for your packages and the test protocol is more detailed.
In the US Hazmat packages need to be re-tested annually. This is not the case in Canada where as long as your package does not change; you don’t have to re-test it. In Canada re-testing is mandatory only when there is a change in the packaging.
Even though nobody requires it, if you ship your “dangerous goods” through the small parcel delivery system, we recommend that you also consider testing or at least designing your package so that it meets the requirements of ISTA 3A. This standard is a good way to validate your package for the small parcel delivery system and includes many aspects of this distribution pipeline that are not addressed in TP 14850. This is not mandatory, but it could save you a lot of troubles.
Micom is a third party material testing laboratory accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, CGSB and ISTA.
For more information about these new services and our package testing services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Disclaimer
All of the information and opinions contained in this blog are made with the information, and the understanding that we have reviewed at the time of publishing. However, despite our efforts, we do not offer any guarantee of their accuracy, thoroughness of our investigation or validity. The author of this blog is not liable for any inaccuracies or any losses or damages that may result from the use of the information or data contained herein. This blog has not been reviewed or verified for its accuracy by any peer group associates prior to publication.
My career has been focused on simulating real life in the lab under controlled yet accelerated conditions. My passion for lab testing lead me to start Micom Laboratories Inc. 16 years ago. Through time I made sure Micom has the necessary equipment to simulate various environmental parameters such as the sun, vibrations, heat, cold, thermal shocks and humidity. I wanted to be able to move things back and forth, apply stresses to the products and materials we test and see how they react to the various stimuli. To do so we test products and materials against known standards and specifications (certification) and in many cases by creating my own test protocols and specifications (this is the cherry on top of the sundae…). This is what led me to participate in many standards writing committees and to become chairman of some of these committees.