Most shipments of hazardous materials subject to PHMSA/USDOT regulations require the use of a specification packaging.  There are two types of specification packaging recognized by the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR):

• UN Standard (aka: performance oriented packaging).  Used for all non-bulk packagings and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).
• DOT specification.  Used for aerosols, cargo tanks, tank cars (rail), portable tanks, and more.

Due to its strict standards of construction, specification packaging can be very expensive.  Whenever a shipper has an opportunity to use non-specification packaging – due to an exception to full regulation such as the limited quantity exception – it can result in a significant cost savings.

While most of the exceptions found in the HMR allow for the use of non-specification packaging, only some of them require a “strong outer packaging” to be used in its place.  The purpose of this article is to explain what the HMR means by a “strong outer packaging”. (more…)