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Packaging Colleagues -
One of the goals of the DOE/NTPA Packaging Management Council
(PMC) is to provide packaging specifications for United Nations (UN)
performance-oriented packagings. The intent of providing these specifications
is to allow DOE sites to utilize this resource in lieu of spending their time
and monies for the same, or similar, needs. The specifications are maintained
on the WEB in order for DOE and their contractors to have ready access. In
addition, numerous vendors have utilized these WEB specifications for purposes
of preparing bid proposals and discussing issues with packaging and procurement
personnel.
It is strongly recommended that initially each user read this information prior
to utilizing these specifications.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIFICATIONS:
Historical Background: These specifications were originally utilized at
the five DOE Oak Ridge Operations (ORO) sites. The specifications were created
and implemented when the Department of Transportation (DOT) mandated that
specification containers (i.e. DOT 17C drums) could no longer be manufactured.
Though the new UN performance-oriented packaging requirements were marketed by
DOT as giving packaging designers more flexibility, the new requirements
created new problems. Sites had to ensure that the new UN drums matched with
the old drums in sizes, payloads, closure devices, etc. Because of these issues
and so many packaging suppliers did not understand the differences between
specification packagings and performance-oriented packagings, the ORO sites
created these specifications to better control packaging inventory and maintain
consistent quality assurance practices. Prior to issuing these specifications,
each specification was coordinated with three or more commercial fabricators to
ensure what was specified was commercially available.
Specification Parameters: These specifications are written as minimum
requirements for UN performance packagings. Each specification is divided into
numerous sections: general description, material details, container performance
criteria, quality assurance, markings, intended use, suggested vendors,
authorized changes and distribution of UN testing reports.
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