Meaning
Fiberboard outer containers designed and tested to transport dangerous goods constitute a standardized certification class. Use of 4g packaging involves a combination of a tested box and specific inner receptacles like plastic bottles or sealed bags. The marking indicates a standard fiberboard box that has undergone drop and stack tests to ensure integrity under stress.
Testing Protocol
Structural strength is verified through a series of physical trials including a drop from a height determined by the packing group of the intended contents, such as Packing Group I for high danger. This 4g packaging must also resist moisture through the Cobb test, which measures the water absorption of the board over a fixed duration to prevent softening in humid environments. A stack test ensures the box maintains its shape under the weight of similar units during sea or road transit, typically lasting 24 hours under a load calculated by the height of a standard cargo hold.
Weight Limitation
Gross mass limits define the maximum load the box can carry without compromising the structural certification. If 4g packaging is used with inner containers different from those in the original test report, the certification is voided. This constraint forces shippers to use identical components to maintain regulatory compliance.
Marking Identification
A string of alphanumeric codes on the box exterior identifies the container type and performance capability. These details include the UN symbol, the packaging type code for 4g packaging, and the maximum gross weight. Shippers check these marks to confirm the box meets the requirements for hazardous materials.