UN intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)

Find information about the requirements for designing and manufacturing UN standardized Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs), selecting and using IBCs for transporting Classes 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8, and 9 dangerous goods, as well as the registration requirements for IBC design types, manufacturing facilities, leak test and inspection facilities, and applicable packing and testing requirements.

General

Identifying a UN standardized IBC

The UN marking required on a UN standardized IBC is specified in chapter 6.5 of the UN recommendations or in section 5 of CAN/CGSB-43.146 (if manufactured in Canada).

The following is an example UN IBC primary marking:

31HA1 / Y / 0625 CAN / ABC 4-001 / 5500 / 1500

the UN packaging symbol. (for embossed markings on metal IBC, the letters “UN” may be displayed instead)
the IBC code (in this example, 31HA1 represents a composite IBC for liquids with a rigid plastic inner receptacle and steel outer casing)
the letters designating the packing group for which the IBC design has been tested:
- X - acceptable for Packing Groups I, II and III dangerous goods
- Y - acceptable for Packing Groups II and III dangerous goods only (in this example)
- Z - acceptable for Packing Group III dangerous goods only
the month, designated numerically, and last two digits of year of manufacture (e.g. 0625)
the country code for the country authorizing the allocation of the mark (e.g. “CAN”)
the name or symbol of the manufacturer (e.g. ABC) and other identification of the IBC as specified by the country authorizing the allocation of the mark (e.g. design registration number, 4-0001 in this example)
the stacking test load (in kg) or “0” if the IBC is not designed for stacking (e.g. 5500)
the maximum permissible gross mass (kg) (e.g. 1500) or for flexible IBCs, the maximum permissible load (kg)

Obtaining UN standardized IBC

Please consult UN intermediate bulk containers (IBC) – Vendors.

Requirements for manufacturing UN standardized IBCs

UN standardized IBCs must be designed, manufactured, and tested in accordance with the requirements of CAN/CGSB-43.146. The severity of testing depends on the packing group for which the IBC is rated. All IBCs must be tested as intended for transport.

Authorized parties for testing of IBC designs

Performance testing of IBCs required under Section 7 of the CAN/CGSB-43.146 can be performed by the IBC manufacturing facility, a third-party testing facility, or a combination thereof. Transport Canada does not require third-party certification for test facilities, though you must ensure whoever is conducting the testing is doing so in accordance with the requirements of the CAN/CGSB-43.146 and that results do not vary should a different test facility be used. You must ensure the report includes a description of the equipment used for testing the IBC and a description of the method used for each test.

Requirements for UN standardized mobile IBCs

Commonly referred to as portable refueling tanks or slip tanks, UN standardized mobile IBCs are UN standardized IBCs used to transport the dangerous goods stated in Section 12.2 e) 2) of the CAN/CGSB-43.146 standard and are intended to be secured to a means of transport in accordance with the manufacturer’s notice to user, and filled, partially emptied and emptied while on a means of transport. UN mobile IBCs are subjected to different requirements as detailed in CAN/CGSB-43.146. These requirements can include:

the marking “Mobile IBC – Do not lift when filled or partially filled with product” must be durably applied adjacent to the UN marking for Mobile IBCs designed with lifting lugs or other top lifting devices for which a representative prototype has not been successfully top lift tested
the IBC design must ensure vehicle stability if the IBC is to be transported partially filled
unless they meet the requirements for openings in the liquid space, the openings in the IBC must be located in the vapour space
a rollover test must be conducted in addition to the other required performance tests
the IBC must not be loaded in excess of 95% of its capacity

Selection and use

It is the consignor's responsibility to select the appropriate IBC for their dangerous goods consignment. Part II of the CAN/CGSB-43.146 standard must be followed for the selection and use of IBC's for transport of dangerous goods. To facilitate selection, the consignor must be familiar with the UN IBC marking. Please consult the CAN/CGSB-43.146 standard for complete and detailed requirements. The following are some of the criteria of the standard for selection of a UN standardized IBC:

the requirements specified in the Packing Instructions in Annex B of CAN/CGSB-43.146 must be complied with
the IBC must have been tested for the packing group of the dangerous goods to be transported
the quantity of dangerous goods must not exceed the capacity, maximum permissible gross mass or maximum permissible load marked on the IBC
IBCs of code 21 and 31 must have been leak tested and inspected as prescribed within the specified period (please refer to subsection 12.6 of CAN/CGSB-43.146)
the IBC must be filled and closed in the same manner in which it was tested
the IBC must be constructed of a material compatible with the dangerous good
for Rigid Plastic or Composite IBCs (31H or 31HZ), the IBC is within its prescribed period of use
a UN standardized mobile IBC with a capacity more than 3000L but not exceeding 5000L can be used to transport flammable liquid (class 3) dangerous goods packing group III only.
a UN standardized mobile IBC cannot exceed 3000L for the transport of gasoline

Use of an IBC other than a UN standardized IBC to transport dangerous goods

CAN/CGSB-43.146 allows:

TC, CTC or DOT Specification 56 portable tank instead of a Code 11A, Code 11B or Code 11N IBC if the portable tank meets the requirements specified in clause 12.5.1 of CAN/CGSB-43.146
a TC, CTC or DOT Specification 57 portable tank instead of a Code 31A, Code 31B or Code 31N IBC if the portable tank meets the requirements specified in clause 12.5.2 of CAN/CGSB-43.146
a ULC/ORD-C142.13 standardized mobile refueling tank instead of a UN standardized mobile IBC if the tank was manufactured before January 1, 2003 and meets the requirements of clause 12.5.3 of the CAN/CGSB-43.146
non-standardized IBCs if permitted by one of the packing instructions

Mobile Process Unit (MPU) requirements

Please consult Containers for Explosives (Class 1) and Mobile Process Units (MPU) - Requirements.

Periodic leak test and inspection requirements

UN standardized IBCs of any capacity used for liquid dangerous goods and for solid filled or discharged under pressure (IBC code 21 and 31) must be leak tested and inspected in accordance with the requirements set out in Annex C of CAN/CGSB-43.146:

UN standardized IBCs must be leak tested and inspected every 30 months^{Footnote *}
UN standardized Mobile IBCs must be leak tested and inspected every 60 months
lightweight IBCs must be leak tested and inspected before each use

The leak test and inspection must be conducted by a facility registered with Transport Canada.

Leak test and inspection requirements for IBCs used to transport diesel (450 L or less)

UN standardized IBCs of any capacity used to transport liquid dangerous goods or solid dangerous goods filled or discharged under pressure (UN IBC code 21 and 31) must be leak tested and inspected in accordance with the requirements set out in Annex C of CAN/CGSB-43.146. This includes mobile IBCs, which must be leak tested and inspected every 60 months.

It is important to note that a mobile IBC with a maximum capacity of 450L that is used solely for transporting diesel does not need to be leak tested and inspected in accordance with Annex C of the CAN/CGSB-43.146 Standard, if it meets all the requirements listed in exemption 1.33 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR).

Please keep in mind that you must comply with all applicable provincial regulations and this exemption may not be recognized in certain jurisdictions.

Should you wish to use your IBC for another dangerous good, one not meeting the requirements of 1.33, then it would first have to be leak tested and inspected in accordance with Annex C of the CAN/CGSB-43.146 Standard.

Identifying an IBC that has been successfully leak tested and inspected

An IBC that has been successfully leak tested and inspected in accordance with Annex C of CAN/CGSB-43.146 will be marked with the letter “R”, the month and year of the leak test and inspection, and the Transport Canada Certificate of Registration Number of the leak test facility (each section may be separated by a space, dash or slash). Here are some examples:

R / 05 25 / 33-222
R / 05 25 / 46-6972
R 05 25 33-222
R 05 25 46-6972
R – 05 25 – 33-222
R – 05 25 – 46-6972

Registration

Registering a design, a manufacturing facility, or a leak test and inspection facility

To register, the applicant must submit a completed application form. Once issued, the Certificate of Registration is valid for five years, after which the facility must apply for renewal.

Amending, renewing or cancelling a registration

To amend, renew or cancel a registration (including adding, changing or deleting a design) the applicant must submit a completed application form.

Quality management system requirements

UN IBC manufacturers must have and maintain a quality management system which conforms to ISO 9001 and must be registered with a quality system registrar accredited or recognized by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), or a foreign quality assurance system registrar recognized by the SCC.

Remanufacturers performing only cross-bottling activities are not required to register their quality management system with a quality system registrar however they must adhere to one which meets all the requirements of CAN/CGSB-43.146.

Contact us

Inquiries pertaining to applications for registration

Telephone: 1-855-298-1520
After choosing the language (1 for English, 2 for French), press option 1.

Email: MOCregister-Registrecontenant@tc.gc.ca

Technical inquiries

Email: tdgcontainers-tmdcontenants@tc.gc.ca
Please include the text "IBCs" in the subject line.

Language selection

WxT Language switcher

UN intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) – Requirements

On this page