What does the UN Code on the packaging mean?

Sample Code from UN Approved Packaging…

Types of Packaging

1 — Drums/Pails
2 — Barrels
3 — Jerricans
4 — Box
5 — Bag
6 — Composite packaging

Materials of Construction

A — Steel
B — Aluminum
C — Natural wood
D — Plywood
F — Reconstituted wood
G — Fiberboard
H — Plastic material
L — Textile
M — Paper, multi-wall
N — Metal (other than steel or aluminum)
P — Glass, porcelain or stoneware (not used in these regulations)

Packing Group: Packing group assignments determine the degree of danger of a dangerous goods item, so the following outlines how to determine if your dangerous goods can go inside of a UN specification package:

X — for packing groups I, II and III
Y — for packing groups II and III
Z — for packing group III

Maximum Gross Weight: For outer packagings intended for solids, this marking will indicate the maximum gross mass (weight) in kilograms at which the package has been tested for.

Year of Manufacture: This represents the last two digits of the year in which the package was manufactured.

Origin of Manufacture: This represents the country where the package was constructed.

Manufacturer Code: The last part of the UN specification marking sequence represents the code for the manufacturing plant or testing facility for the package