UNITED

NATIONS	ST

Secretariat	Distr.

GENERAL

ST/SG/AC.10/1998/39

25 September 1998

Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE

TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS

(Twentieth session,

Geneva, 7-16 December l998,

agenda item 2 (b))

WORK OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON

THE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS

Packing instructions

Definition for combination packagings

Transmitted by the Expert from the United States of America

1.	The current definition for combination packagings in the UN Model Regulations is not clear with respect to whether combination packagings may contain articles. The definition only addresses packagings consisting of one or more inner packagings. The expert from the United States of America believes that an article, such as an automotive battery, secured in an outer packaging constitutes a combination packaging. Based on discussions with other experts and previous discussions during UN Committee and Sub-Committee meetings, we believe our view is consistent with those of other experts. This interpretation is also consistent with the reference to articles contained in outer packagings in the selective testing provisions in 6.1.5.1.7 of the Model Regulations. On this basis, the following amendments to the Model Regulations are proposed.

GE.98-

Proposal

2.	The following amendments are proposed:

(a)	Amend the definition of combination packagings in 1.2.1 as follows:

"Combination packagings are packagings , consisting of one or more inner packagings or articles secured in an outer packaging in accordance with 4.1.1.5;

Note: the above revision takes into account editorial revisions deemed appropriate as well."

(b)	Amend 4.1.1.5 to incorporate the following consequential amendments:

"4.1.1.5	Inner packagings and articles shall be packed in an outer packaging in such a way that, under normal conditions of transport, they cannot break, be punctured or leak their contents into the outer packaging. Inner packagings and articles that are liable to break or be punctured easily, such as those made of glass, porcelain or stoneware or of certain plastics materials, etc., shall be secured in outer packagings with suitable cushioning material. Any leakage of the contents shall not substantially impair the protective properties of the cushioning material or of the outer packaging."

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