Overview of IIP UN Certificate

IIP UN Certificate is mandatory for all those hazardous products which one wants to transport through Air, Sea or road. Packaging of such products must be in line with the rules, regulations and applicable laws. This is because it is about the safety of the handlers as well as the people around such products. The Expert Committee of Hazardous Goods of the United Nations has framed common regulations for transporting hazardous materials by sea, road, or air across member countries without hurdles. These include the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code for sea transport and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations for air transport. 

In India, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation have authorized the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) as the nodal agency to conduct performance tests on bulk packages and issue a UN Certificate for packaging. With its well-equipped laboratories for testing as per IMDG and ICAO regulations, IIP supports numerous industries across the country and facilitates the export of hazardous goods.

UN Certification, made mandatory by the Director General of Shipping, Govt. of India, was initially introduced for packages used by Indian Express in carrying dangerous goods by sea, and similar requirements now apply to air transport, where shippers must ensure that only certified packaging with proper UN markings is used. After successful performance testing of sample packages, the Indian Institute of Packaging issues certificates to manufacturers or dealers, permitting them to produce any number of packages of the same specifications, design, and shape within the validity period mentioned in the certificate.

What are the Key Features of IIP UN Certificate? 

Some of the key features of Institute of packing certification are given below:

• A UN Certificate is issued to the packaging manufacturer, including the exporter’s name.
• A combined UN Mark Certificate for both Air & Sea transport can be issued if requested.
• With an "X" category (highly dangerous) certificate, export of Y (medium) and Z (low) categories is also allowed.
• With a "Y" category (medium dangerous) certificate, export of Z (low) category is allowed.
• With a "Z" category (low dangerous) certificate, only Z category exports are permitted.
• Additional Exporter Certificates are issued with the same validity as the basic certificate (Air/Sea/Combined).
• A UN registration for the Additional Group is issued to the Packaging Manufacturer (Air/Sea/Combined).
• A UN license can also be issued for Imported Samples tested by the Institute (Air/Sea/Combined).
• Site visit testing is conducted at the customer’s location.

Different Types of Packages Under IIP UN Certificate 

Given below is the table which indicates the different types of packaging with their UN code and description as per the UN certification requirements: 

Classification of Dangerous and Hazardous Goods Under IIP 

Given below is the table where 9 classes of dangerous and hazardous goods with their one of two examples are mentioned: 

Information Required to Get IIP UN Certificate in India 

Some of the key documents required for the UN certification is given below: 

• Customer Type (Member / Non-Member)
• Customer Name (Packaging Material Manufacturer)
• Address of Manufacturer
• Contact Person Details Name, Mobile Number, Email ID and Alternate Email ID
• Mode of UN Certificate (Normal / Tatkal)
• Payment Details (UTR No., Amount, Payment Date)
• Exporter/Shipper Details Name, Address
• Company Type (ISO / Non-ISO)
• Packaging Material Type (as applicable)
• Mode of Export (Sea / Air / Combined)
• Chemical Type (Solid / Liquid / Gas)
• Proper Shipping Name of Dangerous Goods (general category)
• Product Name
• UN Number
• Severity Category (X, Y, Z)
• Gross Weight of Each Package
• Packaging Group (I, II, III)
• Packaging Instruction for Air (ICAO Technical Instructions)
• Packaging Instruction for Sea (IMDG Code)
• Bulk Density of Product (g/cc – solids only)
• Density of Product (g/cc – liquids only)
• Vapour Pressure at 55°C (kPa – liquids only)
• Safe Working Load (kg – for IBC/FIBC)
• Stack Load (kg – for IBC/FIBC)
• Condition of IBC (Fresh / Reconstituted)
• Quantity of Sample Submitted
• Date of Manufacture of Sample
• Sample Description
• Dimensions of the Package (as applicable)

Procedure to Obtain IIP UN Certification in India 

Given below is the step by step procedure to obtain IIP UN License in India: 

1) Initiation of Request

In the table given below all the information of the six offices has been given. Out of these six offices you can apply in any of the one by sending a mail on the email id provided below

2) LIMS Login Credentials 

Once you send the mail, you will get reverted after some time and they will provide you the LIMS login credentials i.e user name and password. This information is provided for the first time users only, so that they can use the same for the future references and communications. People who already have these credentials can use the same in order to file the application through LIMS software. 

3) Apply for Testing 

In order to apply for the certification of UN IIP, one needs to provide the testing reports of the samples of packaging. In this step you have two options, first you can opt for Normal Mode of testing. This will take 7-28 days. The second option is Tatkal Mode of testing. With this you can get the testing reports within 3 days. Tatkal Mode of testing is not applicable on the narrow month container packaging. 

4) Online Booking 

Online Booking of Sample & Undertaking by the Applicant and the Exporter must be done by using the LIMS login credentials. After doing login on the LIMS software, applicants need to fill the form and provide the required details correctly in order to get the certification for the IIP timely without any delay. After completing the application submit the form before the authorized authorities. After the submission of the form the applicant will get the Booking Number which will be used for further correspondence. 

5) Submission of Samples of Packaging 

Applicant will then send the physical samples of the packages to be examined in suitable amount as stated in the respective international standards for export of risky items by using SEA or AIR i.e. IMDG or ICAO, having information of the reserving wide variety in reality labelled on each package deal of the sample to the respective IIP HO/ nearby offices. These offices are in six cities, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. 

6) Issuance of Proforma Invoice and Payment

Based totally on the parameters decided on through the applicant whilst filing the online application, the IIP will issue the Proforma invoice detailing all the expenses and fee information. The applicant will then make the payment through the online mode by means of the use of the fee modes shared in conjunction with the proforma bill. After payment, the applicant can also share the evidence of payment of fees through e-mail on the respective HO & regional offices' e-mail IDs as provided above in the table in point.

7) Verification and Acknowledgment of Sample Receipt

Upon receipt of the sample from the applicant, IIP will verify the booking number, physical condition of the sample(s), fee and supporting files. In case of any insufficient facts and troubles like bodily conditions of the pattern aren't suited, the IIP will intimate the same to the applicant by means of mail. In such cases, the applicant desires to post the specified facts and/or sparkling samples for the trying out. On receipt of sufficient records and samples, IIP will send an acknowledgement of the popularity of the samples to the applicant at the registered cellular quantity and e-mail id.

8) Sample Registration and Job Card Assignment

The sample received as per the above procedure will be registered in the LIMS followed by the generation of a Job Code which will be assigned to the relevant laboratory for testing. Without assigning this job code, laboratories cannot perform the tests, hence make sure to do all the above formalities timely in order to get the testing reports within the prescribed time limit. 

9) Laboratory Testing Reports 

Once the Job Code is provided to the laboratories, they will conduct all the applicable tests as per the international standards. Once the tests are completed they will upload the test reports on the LIMS. You can obtain these reports by doing login with the credential already provided to you. 

10) Review, Authorization, and Authentication 

The test results are first reviewed for completeness and compliance, followed by authorization and authentication by designated laboratory authorities. If the packaging meets the UN testing criteria, a UN marking is generated based on the applicant’s submitted data and in line with the guidelines of International Standards for the export of dangerous goods by air and sea.

11) Dispatch of Certificate and Tax Invoice

After all the steps given above are completed, IIP will send the final UN Certificate, test report, and tax invoice through LIMS to the applicant. Post-certification, IIP retains the sample for one month. Upon completion of the retention period of one month, the sample is either returned to the applicant (if requested by the applicant) or disposed of by IIP as per procedure. 

Documents Required to Obtain IIP UN Certification in India 

Some of the key documents required for Obtaining UN IIP Mark Certification are given below: 

• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) 
• Compatibility Certificate Upload
• Any Other Related Document Upload
• Declaration by Manufacturer of Packaging Material
• Declaration by Exporter
• Valid ISO 9001 Certificate Upload (if applicable)
• MSDS of Each Chemical (if applicable)
• Application form for UN Certification.
• Customer details (Member/Non-Member).
• Packaging material manufacturer’s address proof.
• Contact person details (name, mobile, email).
• Exporter/Shipper details with address.
• Payment proof (UTR No., amount, date).
• Valid ISO 9001 certificate (if applicable).
• Declaration by packaging material manufacturer.
• Declaration by exporter.
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of product.
• MSDS of each chemical (if applicable).
• Compatibility certificate.
• Packaging material specifications.
• Proper shipping name of dangerous goods.
• UN Number of products.
• Details of packaging group (I/II/III).
• Packaging instructions as per ICAO (Air).
• Packaging instructions as per IMDG Code (Sea).
• Sample description with date of manufacture.
• Dimensions and gross weight of each package.

Who can Apply for the Indian Institute of Packaging Certification? 

Packaging manufacturers can apply for IIP UN certification of packaging substances used for exporting risky goods through sea and/or air. Once the application is efficiently processed, a UN certification will be issued to the manufacturer. This certificate confirms compliance with international safety requirements. It additionally contains info of the exporter. The certification guarantees safe coping with, storage, and delivery of dangerous items.

For each Air and Sea, IIP will now not provide a chemical list in conjunction with the UN certificates. However, the applicant should provide a list of the chemical compounds in conjunction with their Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The maximum net amount consistent with package deal and the product-package deal compatibility certificate is required to be submitted to IIP even as making use of online. 

Validity of UN IIP Certification in India 

The validity of a UN Certificate for packaging depends on whether or not the packaging material manufacturer is ISO-certified or non-ISO certified. Applicants can choose from different validity intervals whilst making use of for certification. For ISO-certified packaging producers, the certificate may be issued for 12, 24, 36, or 48 months, depending on their requirement. This adaptability permits ISO-certified manufacturers to devise long-term exports of risky goods with compliance guarantee. 

Alternatively, non-ISO-certified manufacturers are granted a UN certificate with a maximum validity of 9 months only. This shorter validity guarantees stricter monitoring and compliance assessments for non-ISO entities. By providing special validity options, the certification machine guarantees both reliability for compliant manufacturers and regulatory control for people with restricted nice certifications. Hence, the validity shape supports safe, comfortable, and standardized packaging of risky items for export with the aid of air or sea.

Cancellation of UN IIP Certificate in India 

If an applicant obtains a UN certificate with a validity of 3 or 4 years, the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) will conduct an intermediate check within 3 months after the completion of two years. Additionally, IIP may carry out exams at any time if a criticism is acquired concerning misuse of the certificate. In case any non-compliance or violation of regulations is discovered for the duration of these assessments, IIP has the authority to cancel the validity of the UN registration, and such cancellation might be mentioned to the capable authorities of DGCA and DG delivery. Similarly, if there may be any trade inside the packaging cloth in phrases of high-quality or specifications, the applicant has to put up clean samples for testing and issuance of a brand new UN mark certificate.

Benefits of UN Indian Institute of Packaging Mark Certificate 

Some of the key benefits of UN IIP Mark Certificate in India are given below: 

• Ensures compliance with international safety standards.
• Mandatory for export of dangerous goods by Air and Sea.
• Certifies that packaging is safe, reliable, and durable.
• Builds trust with global buyers and regulators
• Reduces risk of accidents during handling, storage, and transport.
• Enhances acceptance of goods in international markets.
• Provides legal and regulatory assurance to exporters.
• Allows export of multiple categories (X, Y, Z) depending on certificate type.
• Increases credibility of packaging manufacturers.
• Facilitates smooth customs clearance for hazardous goods shipments.
• Demonstrates adherence to ISO and quality management standards.
• Helps avoid penalties or shipment rejections due to non-compliance.
• Supports proper labeling and marking for hazardous materials.
• Encourages best practices in packaging design and material selection.
• Strengthens reputation and brand image of the exporter.
• Provides documented proof of compliance for audits and inspections.
• Promotes safety culture within the manufacturing and logistics process.
• Enhances competitiveness in the global supply chain for dangerous goods.

IIP UN Certificate is a vital certification for ensuring the safe and compliant transport of hazardous goods by air and sea. It not only guarantees adherence to international safety standards but also enhances the credibility and global acceptance of exporters and packaging manufacturers. By providing legal assurance, reducing risks, and promoting best practices, the certification plays a key role in facilitating safe, efficient, and standardized handling of dangerous goods in international trade.