Sift‐proofness of Dangerous Goods Packagings – An Incompletely Defined Requirement

Sift‐proofness is a requirement for different types of dangerous goods packagings for solid substances according to the international Dangerous Goods Regulations. In these regulations, a sift‐proof packaging is defined as a packaging that is completely impermeable to dry contents. This means indirectly that absolutely no mass transport of solid substances is allowed. Moreover, this requirement applies both to the original filling substance and to fine solid material generated during transport. Further specifications, test conditions or tolerable limit values are not given. This is in contrast to physical principles and the usual practice in other fields of technology in which sift‐proofness is relevant. This paper shows the necessary steps for how the requirements for sift‐proofness of dangerous goods packagings can be defined more precisely. Physical basics of the term ‘sift‐proofness’ are explained. A qualitative as well as a quantitative approach is possible. In any case, it is essential to carry out appropriate vibration tests to assess the sift‐proofness. There is a need for systematical investigations of the sift‐proofness of dangerous goods packagings. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.