Procedure For Utilisation Of Certified Packages
Ø  UN certification, which is mandatory, was introduced by the Director General of Shipping, Govt. of India, Primarily for the packages used by Indian Express for carriage of dangerous goods by sea from India.
Ø  Similar compulsion has been introduced for transportation by air. The packaging certified for utilisaton for transport of Dangerous Goods by air shall be checked by the shippers before these are actually used for the purpose. The certified packaging shall have UN marking as indicated in the Certificates, so that only certified packaging are loaded on aircraft.
Ø  After satisfactory performance of the sample packages, the certificate is issued by the Indian Institute of Packaging to manufacturer/dealer of packages for manufacturing any number of packages.
Ø  Validity period mentioned in the certificate means the period during which the manufacturing of the packages (with same specifications, design & shape) is permitted.
Ø  Depending upon the category of the manufacturers of the packages , the validity period of their certificates, the extended period beyond the expiry date during which the certified packages can be utilized by the exporters (subject to passing the TYPE TESTING as per IMDG CODE, VOLUME-I or Technical Instructions of ICAO)and maximum period within which packages should reach the importers are indicated below:
I. GENERAL CATEGORY (NON - ISO 9000) MANUFACTURERS
ü  Validity period: 9 months
II. ISO-9000 CERTIFIED MANUFACTURERS
ü  Validity period: 18 months
No extensions will be given after 9/18 months.

Classification in the transportation of dangerous goods
Class 1 - Explosives
Class 2 - Gases
Class 3 Flammable liquids
Class 4 - Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Class 5 - Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
Class 6 - Toxic and infectious substances
Class 7 - Radioactive material
Class 8 - Corrosive substances
Class 9 - Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles