Overview
ISO 16103:2005 - Packaging - Transport packaging for dangerous goods - Recycled plastics material - defines requirements and test methods for producing recycled plastics to be used in transport packagings for dangerous goods. The standard specifies quality assurance measures, batch definition and controls, mechanical and material testing, marking and documentation needed to ensure recycled-material packagings meet transport safety rules and modal regulations (UN Recommendations, ADR, IMDG, ICAO TI, RID).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Batch definition and limits
- A batch = homogeneous quantity of recycled material (maximum 25 t) with known melt flow rate, density and tensile stress at yield.
- Collection and incoming inspection
- Only industrial packagings (drums, jerricans, IBCs, large packagings) are accepted.
- Collected containers must show previous contents, material code symbol and manufacture date; different plastic types and different molding-process materials must not be mixed.
- Exclusions
- Containers contaminated by incompatible or certain hazardous classes (e.g., Division 6.1, 6.2, Class 7) or showing deterioration (e.g., UV degradation), >10 years old, or marked “REC” are excluded.
- Process control
- Remove closures/gaskets and non‑matching labels; clean residues (triple rinse, passivation or physical drying), then size‑reduce (shredding, regrinding, re‑pelletizing) and homogenize the batch.
- Final quality control and testing
- Verify each batch for melt mass‑flow rate (ISO 1133), density (ISO 1183‑1), and tensile yield/elongation (ISO 527‑1/2). The standard specifies allowable deviations (e.g., melt flow ±30%, tensile elongation at break ≥75% of original).
- Mechanical design‑type testing of packagings produced from each batch as per ISO 16104; stacking tests may be replaced by dynamic compression testing (ISO 12048).
- Compatibility checks with the packaged substance in accordance with ISO 16101.
- Marking and documentation
- Packagings made from recycled plastics must be marked with the symbol “REC” plus the material code symbol (PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, etc.). All records (collection, process control, test results) retained for a minimum of five years.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Packaging manufacturers and converters producing transport packagings from recycled plastics
- Recyclers and feedstock processors preparing recycled polymer batches
- Quality, compliance and regulatory teams managing dangerous goods packaging approval
- Testing laboratories performing material and mechanical tests for transport certification
- Transport operators, shippers and competent authorities verifying recycled‑material packaging compliance
Related standards and references
Keywords: ISO 16103, recycled plastics, transport packaging, dangerous goods, quality assurance, batch testing, material code symbols, mechanical testing, compatibility testing.
