MEANS OF CONTAINMENT
TRANSPORT CANADA REGISTRATION PROGRAM

Introduction

The requirements for means of containment are in the form of published standards that are adopted by reference in the TDG Regulations. The standards relate to the design, manufacture, marking and use of various types of containers.

The TDG Directorate administers registration programs for facilities or persons that manufacture and maintain means of containment in accordance with these standards. The exception is the program for railway tank cars, which is administered by the Association of American Railroads.

In some cases the information in the databases pertains to facilities whose registration is now expired. Such information is included for determining the history of containers that are still in service. However, you must verify the current registration status in each case by contacting the actual facility or your nearest TDG regional office if you intend to have work performed now.

UN Packaging and Intermediate Bulk Containers

The Committee of Experts on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, a committee of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, has established recommendations for a uniform international system for identifying and packaging dangerous goods in transport. Transport Canada has implemented the system through the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations (TDG).

The UN recommendations cover the design, manufacture and use of packagings (drums, boxes, bags and jerricans under 450 litres in capacity) and Intermediate Bulk Containers (any other portable container up to 3,000 litres in capacity, and used for substances other than gases). The TDG Regulations, adopt four safety standards written and published by the Canadian General Standards Board that are based on the UN Recommendations. Each standard requires companies manufacturing or maintaining these containers to register with Transport Canada.

Copies of the standards can be obtained from the Canadian General Standards Board at 1-800-665-2472 (Canada only) or facsimile (819) 956-5644.

For more information on the Transport Canada registration program, please contact Stéphane Garneau (garnest@tc.gc.ca). Transport Canada administers five registration systems within these standards (Caution: Once you obtain information on these registered facilities, you must verify the status of the information by contacting the actual facility or your nearest TDG regional office):

1. Registration of UN Packaging: CAN/CGSB-43.150-95 "Performance Packagings for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods". The TDG Directorate maintains lists of Suppliers of UN Packaging, Packaging and IBC Test Facilities and has produced theManufacturers' Guide to UN Packaging and Users' Guide to UN Packaging.

2. Registration of UN Infectious Substances Packaging: CAN/CGSB-43.125-M90 "Packaging of Infectious Substances and Diagnostic Specimens". The TDG Directorate maintains a list of Suppliers of UN Infectious Substances Packaging.

3. Registration of UN Intermediate Bulk Containers: CAN/CGSB-43.146-94 "Intermediate Bulk Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods". The TDG Directorate maintains lists of Suppliers of UN Intermediate Bulk Containers and Packaging and IBC Test Facilities. The Directorate has also developed a Users' Guide to UN Intermediate Bulk Containers.

4. Registration of Steel Drum Reconditioning Facilities: CAN/CGSB-43.126-94 "Remanufacturing and Reconditioning of Steel Drums Used for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods" The TDG Directorate maintains a list of Steel Drum Reconditioning Facilities. Companies may submit an Application for Transport Canada Registration: CAN/CGSB-43.126.

5. Registration of IBC Leaktest/Inspection Facilities: CAN/CGSB-43.146-94 "Intermediate Bulk Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods". The TDG Directorate maintains a searchable database (updated weekly) of IBC Leak Test and  Inspection Facilities. Companies may submit an Application for Transport Canada Registration in: CAN/CGSB-43.146.

More Packaging Help

The TDG Directorate has compiled a list of Air Transport Packaging Services, companies that provide shippers with a "hands-on" packaging service for dangerous goods transported by air. These companies package, label and complete the IATA declaration for dangerous goods shipments.

Large Containers (Highway Tanks, Portable Tanks, and Railway Tank Cars)

The TDG Regulations require that highway tanks and portable tanks be manufactured, repaired, and retested at facilities that are registered with Transport Canada, in accordance with CSA B620-1987 "Highway Tanks and Portable Tanks for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods". This standard can be obtained from the Canadian Standards Association at 1-800-463-6727 or facsimile (416) 747-2475.  The TDG Directorate has published an alert for Highway Tanks and Portable Tanks for Propane and Liquified Petroleum Gases Transport.

The TDG Directorate maintains a searchable database (updated weekly) of TC Registered Inspection and Test Facilities for Highway, Portable and Intermodal Tanks. For more information on the Transport Canada registration program for highway tanks and portable tanks, please contact Kevin Green (greenk@tc.gc.ca).

The approval of facilities for manufacturing and maintaining railway tank cars and the approval of tank car designs are the responsibility of the Tank Car Committee of the Association of American Railroads. Transport Canada is represented on this Committee. For more information, please contact J.P. Gagnon (gagnojp@tc.gc.ca).

Containers for Gases (Cylinders and Tubes)

The TDG Regulations require that compressed gas cylinders and tubes be manufactured, requalified, repaired, reheat treated and rebuilt at facilities that are registered with Transport Canada, in accordance with CAN/CSA-B339-96, "Cylinders, Spheres and Tubes for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods". A copy of this standard can be obtained from the Canadian Standards Association at 1-800-463-6727 or facsimile (416) 747-2475.  The TDG Directorate has published an alert for Aluminum Cylinders.

Facilities must submit to Transport Canada an application for registration to requalify cylinders by external visual inspection, in accordance with CAN/CSA-B339-02. A guide to assist applicants is included on the application.

Facilities must submit to Transport Canada an application for registration to requalify cylinders by hydrostatic retest and visual inspection, in accordance with CAN/CSA-B339-02. A guide to assist applicants is included on the application.

Upon registration, an identifying mark is issued to each requalifier. This mark must be stamped on the cylinder each time it is requalified. The TDG Directorate maintains a searchable database (updated weekly) of TC Registered Cylinder Requalifier Marks.

To apply for registration as other types of requalifiers, or for more information, please contact Nicole Noccey (nocceyn@tc.gc.ca).

Facilities must apply to Transport Canada for registration as a manufacturer, repairer, reheat treater or rebuilder of containers for gases by submitting the information required in section 25 of CAN/CSA-B339-02, "Cylinders, Spheres and Tubes for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods". For more information, please contact Nicole Noccey (nocceyn@tc.gc.ca) or Pascal Verville (vervilp@tc.gc.ca).