Certifications & Standards

UN markings certify compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG). Core requirements for UN-certified FIBCs cover material construction, performance testing, packaging compatibility, and marking/labeling.

● Core Technical Requirements for UN-Certified FIBCs  

1.  Materials & Design:  

- Use high-strength polypropylene (PP) woven fabric with chemical/ moisture resistance.  

- Integrate static-dissipative PE liner to prevent dust leakage.  

- Ensure lifting loops are evenly distributed, securely sewn, and pass lifting tests.  

- Base fabric tensile strength and seam tear resistance must meet standards.  

- Liquid/powder cargo requires hermetic tests.  

2.  Performance Tests: Drop, stacking, lifting, and UV aging tests.  

3.  Packaging Groups:  

- Group I: High-hazard cargo (e.g., explosives), strictest tests.  

- Group II/III: Progressively reduced test requirements.  

4.  Marking & Labeling:  

- Permanently mark: UN code (e.g., UN 13H1), packaging group, certifier code, manufacture year.  

- Display hazard class labels per cargo properties.  

- Label size ≥100mm×100mm with high-contrast colors.  

● Certification Validity, Maintenance & Compliance  

1.  Validity: Typically 1 year (e.g., SGS certification, Domestic Dangerous Goods Packaging Certificate).  

2.  Re-certification: Required if altering production processes, materials, or cargo properties.  

3.  Compliance:  

- Annual audits (production records/quality reports/onsite checks).  

- Random inspections during export.  

4.  Non-compliance Risks:  

- Customs rejection (incomplete/non-compliant markings).  

- Legal liability (accidents from quality failures).  

5.  Mitigation: Renew certifications periodically, retain test reports, ensure cargo-packaging compatibility.  

● Reference Standards, Certifiers & Operational Guidance  

1.  Standards:  

- UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Model Regulations (RTDG)  

- ISO 21898:2024  

- GB/T 10454-2000 *Flexible Freight Containers  

2.  Certifiers: SGS, TÜV, or China Customs (for Dangerous Goods Packaging Certificate).  

3.  Operational Advice: Consult specialized agencies or latest UN RTDG to ensure safety/compliance in dangerous goods transport.

● International Core Certifications: Dual Performance & Safety Standards  

Food-grade FIBC international certifications must address material safety, physical performance, and target market regulations. Core requirements vary by region. At the international level, ISO 21898 is the universal specification covering all flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs). Its 2024 update added outdoor weathering tests (e.g., 1500-hour UV aging). Food-grade FIBCs must simultaneously meet its material hygiene (no odor migration) and mechanical performance standards (loop tensile strength, stacking compression resistance). For food contact safety:  

- US Market: Requires compliance with FDA 21 CFR regulations. Third-party lab testing for restricted substances (e.g., BPA, specific phthalates) and self-declaration of conformity.  

- EU Market: Governed by EC 1935/2004 framework. Requires Declaration of Conformity (DoC), migration testing per sub-regulations (e.g., EU 10/2011), and CE marking for mechanical safety compliance.  

● Regional Regulatory Focus: Divergent Requirements for Chemical Safety, Labeling & Performance  

Regional priorities for food-grade FIBCs differ significantly:  

- EU: Emphasizes chemical safety and labeling compliance. Prohibits CMR substances (carcinogenic/mutagenic/reprotoxic). Requires "fork-and-knife" symbol or "for food contact" labeling. Migration tests use isooctane for fatty foods and 3% acetic acid for acidic foods.  

- US: Focuses on composition control. FDA bans BPA; fatty foods require n-hexane migration testing (limit: 60mg/kg). Labels must list materials but "food-grade" marking is optional.  

- China: Enforces GB 4806.7 food safety standards. Strict limits on heavy metals (lead/cadmium ≤0.01mg/kg) and plasticizers. Must also comply with GB/T 10454 performance standards.  

- Japan: Combines JIS Z1651 performance standards with the Food Sanitation Act. Requires organoleptic testing (no odor/color migration). Voluntary JHOSPA certification enhances market trust.  

- Canada: Mandates bilingual labeling (English/French). Regulates heavy metals/microbes per FDA/EU standards. Companies may obtain Letter of No Objection (LONO) for compliance proof.  

● Core Testing Dimensions: Comprehensive Chemical, Physical & Hygiene Controls  

Testing spans three domains:  

1. Chemical Safety: Migration testing with food-type-specific simulants:  

- EU: Isooctane for fatty foods  

- China: 4% acetic acid for acidic foods  

2. Physical Performance:  

- Loop tensile strength: Typically 3-5× safety load without breakage  

- Stacking compression resistance: ISO 21898 requires no deformation under 4× gross mass for 24 hours  

3. Hygiene Performance:  

- Microbial testing (e.g., E. coli absence)  

- Biodegradable materials require biodegradation rate tests (e.g., ASTM D6400).

Key compliance verification points for FIBCs under ISO 21898:2024:

● Enhanced Classification & UV Aging Test Requirements  

1.  ISO 21898:2024 classifies FIBCs into two types based on usage scenarios.  

2.  General-use FIBCs: Require 300-hour UV aging test for indoor/short-term storage.  

3.  Long-term outdoor storage FIBCs: Require 1500-hour UV aging test for high-UV exposure environments (e.g., open yards, port storage).  

4.  Verification uses xenon-arc lamp equipment to simulate outdoor conditions (irradiance: 550W/m², black panel temp: 65°C).  

5.  Post-aging breaking strength retention rate must be ≥50%.  

6.  Example: FIBCs for open grain storage must pass 1500-hour UV test to prevent embrittlement/breakage after prolonged exposure.  

● Differentiated Physical Performance & Material Strength Verification  

1.  New standard imposes stricter tiered physical tests.  

2.  Long-term outdoor FIBCs: Must pass 70 lift cycles at 6× Safety Working Load (SWL) and ultimate 8× SWL load test to eliminate loop fatigue failure risks.  

3.  Stacking test pressure adjusted from 4× SWL (previous) to 2× SWL, simulating multi-tier storage pressure.  

4.  No deformation/rupture allowed after 24-hour continuous stacking.  

5.  Material verification requirements:  

- Base fabric longitudinal tensile strength ≥2500N/5cm.  

- Loop breaking strength ≥8× SWL.  

- Heat-sealed seam strength ≥30N/15mm.  

- Stitched seam edge width ≥20mm to ensure transport stability.  

● Core Implementation Steps for Compliance Verification  

1.  Lab accreditation: Prioritize CNAS & ILAC-MRA dual-certified labs (e.g., SGS, TÜV).  

2.  Equipment coverage: Must include UV aging chambers, electronic tensile testers, material composition analysis (e.g., PP purity), and chemical migration testing.  

3.  Test scope: Covers:  

- Physical performance (lift cycles, stacking compression).  

- Environmental adaptability (UV aging, -40°C~70°C thermal cycling).  

- Chemical safety (heavy metal/plasticizer migration).  

- Special scenarios (flame retardancy, static control).  

4.  Documentation:  

- Supply Declaration of Conformity (DoC) specifying product classification/usage.  

- Test reports must include old vs. new standard comparisons (e.g., removal of 25-hour water immersion test) and detailed data.  

- Retain RoHS/REACH compliance certificates, raw material batch records.