P520 PACKING INSTRUCTION P520
This instruction applies to organic peroxides of class 5.2 and self-reactive substances of class 4.1.

The packagings listed below are authorized provided the general provisions of 4.1.1 and 4.1.3 and special provisions of 4.1.7 are met.

The packing methods are designated OP1 to OP8. The packing methods appropriate for the individual currently assigned organic peroxides and self-reactive substances are listed in 2.4.2.3.2.3 and 2.5.3.2.4. The quantities specified for each packing method are the maximum quantities authorized per package. The following packagings are authorized:

  1. Combination packagings with outer packagings comprising boxes (4A, 4B, 4N, 4C1, 4C2, 4D, 4F, 4G, 4H1 and 4H2), drums (1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 1B2, 1G, 1H1, 1H2 and 1D), jerricans (3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 3H1 and 3H2);

  2. Single packagings consisting of drums (1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 1B2, 1G, 1H1, 1H2 and 1D) and jerricans (3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 3H1 and 3H2);

  3. Composite packagings with plastics inner receptacles (6HA1, 6HA2, 6HB1, 6HB2, 6HC, 6HD1, 6HD2, 6HG1, 6HG2, 6HH1 and 6HH2).

Maximum quantity per packaging/package1 for packing methods OP1 to OP8
Packing method OP1 OP21 OP3 OP41 OP5 OP6 OP7 OP8
Maximum quantity
Maximum mass (kg) for solids and for combination packagings (liquid and solid) 0.5 0.5/10 5 5/25 25 50 50 4002
Maximum contents in litres for liquids3 0.5 - 5 - 30 60 60 2254

Additional provisions:

  1. Metal packagings, including inner packagings of combination packagings and outer packagings of combination or composite packagings, may only be used for packing methods OP7 and OP8.

  2. In combination packagings, glass receptacles may only be used as inner packagings with a maximum content of 0.5 kg for solids or 0.5 L for liquids.

  3. In combination packagings, cushioning materials shall not be readily combustible.

  4. The packaging of an organic peroxide or self-reactive substance required to bear an EXPLOSIVE subsidiary hazard label (Model No. 1, see 5.2.2.2.2) shall also comply with the provisions given in 4.1.5.10 and 4.1.5.11.

Special packing provisions:

PP21
For certain self-reactive substances of types B or C, UN Nos. 3221, 3222, 3223, 3224, 3231, 3232, 3233 and 3234, a smaller packaging than that allowed by packing methods OP5 or OP6 respectively shall be used (see 4.1.7 and 2.4.2.3.2.3).
PP22
UN 3241, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, shall be packed in accordance with packing method OP6.
PP94

Very small amounts of energetic samples of section 2.0.4.3 may be carried under UN 3223 or UN 3224, as appropriate, provided that:

  1. only combination packaging with outer packaging comprising boxes (4A, 4B, 4N, 4C1, 4C2, 4D, 4F, 4G, 4H1 and 4H2) are used;
  2. the samples are carried in microtiter plates or multi-titer plates made of plastics, glass, porcelain or stoneware as inner packaging;
  3. the maximum amount per individual inner cavity does not exceed 0.01 g for solids or 0.01 ml for liquids;
  4. the maximum net quantity per outer packaging is 20 g for solids or 20 ml for liquids, or in the case of mixed packing the sum of grams and millilitres does not exceed 20; and
  5. when dry ice or liquid nitrogen is optionally used as a coolant for quality control measures, the requirements of 5.5.3 are complied with. Interior supports shall be provided to secure the inner packagings in their original position. The inner and outer packagings shall maintain their integrity at the temperature of the refrigerant used as well as the temperatures and the pressures which could result if refrigeration were lost.
PP95

Small amounts of energetic samples of section 2.0.4.3 may be carried under UN 3223 or UN 3224, as appropriate, provided that:

  1. the outer packaging consist only of corrugated fibreboard of type 4G having minimum dimensions of 60 cm (length) by 40.5 cm (width) by 30 cm (height) and minimum wall thickness of 1.3 cm;
  2. the individual substance is contained in an inner packaging of glass or plastics of maximum capacity 30 ml placed in an expandable polyethylene foam matrix of at least 130 mm thickness having a density of 18 ± 1 g/l;
  3. within the foam carrier, inner packagings are segregated from each other by a minimum distance of 40 mm and from the wall of the outer packaging by a minimum distance of 70 mm. The package may contain up to two layers of such foam matrices, each carrying up to 28 inner packagings;
  4. the maximum content of each inner packaging does not exceed 1 g for solids or 1 ml for liquids;
  5. the maximum net quantity per outer packaging is 56 g for solids or 56 ml for liquids, or in the case of mixed packing the sum of grams and millilitres does not exceed 56; and
  6. when dry ice or liquid nitrogen is optionally used as a coolant for quality control measures, the requirements of 5.5.3 are complied with. Interior supports shall be provided to secure the inner packagings in their original position. The inner and outer packagings shall maintain their integrity at the temperature of the refrigerant used as well as the temperatures and the pressures which could result if refrigeration were lost.

  1. If two values are given, the first applies to the maximum net mass per inner packaging and the second to the maximum net mass of the complete package.↩↩↩

  2. 60 kg for jerricans/200 kg for boxes and, for solids, 400 kg in combination packagings with outer packagings comprising boxes (4C1, 4C2, 4D, 4F, 4G, 4H1 and 4H2) and with inner packagings of plastics or fibre with a maximum net mass of 25 kg.↩

  3. Viscous liquids shall be treated as solids when they do not meet the criteria provided in the definition for liquids presented in 1.2.1.↩

  4. 60 L for jerricans.↩