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  4. Approval

On this site we collect all the information you need for the approval of dangerous goods packagings, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and large packagins for the transport of dangerous goods. To get an approval, some special requirements have to be met.

The approval itself is permission from the competent authority for the serial manufacturing and marking of dangerous goods packagings.

1. Types of approvals and required documents

In principle, there are 3 types of approvals:

  • unlimited approvals (normal case)
  • approvals limited for 1 year *)
  • approvals for one batch.

*): Please contact the BAM before applying for approval

Depending on the type of requested approval, different documents (see below) have to be submitted to:

BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing
Working Group Approval and Use
D-12200 Berlin

The approval is a charged service.

1.1 Unlimited approvals

Required documents:

  1. informal application for an approval
  2. current test report demonstrating a successful type test (according to BAM-GGR 005)
  3. certificate of a BAM recognised quality assurance programme (QAP)
  4. copy of the monitoring contract with a BAM recognised monitoring body
  5. audit protocol/report according to BAM-GGR 001.

If the type test report is not yet available, please follow the instructions under Tests.

If either the QAP-recognition, monitoring contract or audit protocol/report are not yet available, please follow the instructions under Requirements for the manufacturing of dangerous goods packagings.

1.2 Approvals limited for 1 year

Required documents:

  1. informal application for an approval
  2. current test report demonstrating a successful type test (according to BAM-GGR 005)
  3. certificate of a BAM recognised quality assurance programme (QAP)
  4. copy of the monitoring contract with a BAM recognised monitoring body
  5. audit protocol/report according to BAM-GGR 001.

If the type test report is not yet available, please follow the instructions under Tests.

If either the QAP-recognition, monitoring contract or audit protocol/report are not yet available, please follow the instructions under Requirements for the manufacturing of dangerous goods packagings.

Prolongation of a limited approval

A limited approval can be prolonged if a current test report is submitted before the end of the limited approval. In this case, the mark of the approval will also be maintained.

The scope of testing required can be agreed upon with the BAM. Otherwise, the normal range of tests must be performed.

1.3 Approvals for one batch

A batch relates to the number of packagings or intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) produced by a single setting of the machines in a fixed period. This can also be an existing number of packagings to be remanufactured.

Required documents:

  • informal application for an approval
  • current test report demonstrating a successful type test (according to BAM-GGR 005).

If the type test report is not yet available, please follow the instructions under Tests.

1.4 Remanufactured steel drums

BAM-GGR 013 (German only)
Besondere Verfahren der Bauartprüfung und -zulassung von wiederaufgearbeiteten Fässern aus Stahl mit abnehmbarem Deckel (1A2)

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2. Revisions of approvals

2.1 No revision for design type series

There is no need for a revised version if the approval was issued for a design type series and the design type to be added is still within the approved prescriptive limits.

If the approval of a design type series has to be amended and, for example, the approved prescriptive limits are exceeded, a revision of the approval is required.

BAM GGR 006 provides information on the specific procedures for the design type test and approval of fibreboard boxes (design type series).

2.2 Changing of specifications

A revised version of the approval must be applied for if the specification of the packaging is changed. For example:

  • masses, dimensions, volumes
  • materials
  • foreseen usage (packaging group, dangerous good content).

In general, new design type tests are required. In some cases the BAM may decide whether and what kind of tests have to be performed.

The revised approval is a charged service.

2.3 Change of manufacturer

Changing the manufacturer of the packaging is also a reason for revision of the approval:

  • including/deleting manufacturer’s sites
  • changing the manufacturer, new address etc.

Applicant for the change in manufacturers is always the approval holder.

If there is no other manufacturer listed in the approval, it will be revoked.

In this case, there will be no more obligations for the manufacturer related to the audits and monitoring of the quality assurance programme (QAP).

The revised approval is a charged service.

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3. Revoking of approvals

An approval will be revoked and charged for by the BAM if:

  • the approval holder does not name a manufacturer or
  • the audits and monitoring of the quality assurance programme (QAP) show safety-relevant deficiencies which have not been remedied despite requests from the BAM.

An approval can be given back to the BAM free of charge if the approval holder does not need it anymore. Please send an

  • informal letter
  • the original approval document

back to the BAM.

On issuing the (new) revised versions the BAM automatically revokes the old version.

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4. Publication of approvals

All approvals, revised versions and revoked approvals are published on the BAM´s website under Official Publications.

You can also find them in the Database Dangerous Goods Packagings, which is the official register of German approvals.

There you can browse for

  • approval-numbers
  • codes indicating the name of the type of packaging
  • manufacturer symbols
  • manufacturer names
  • approval holders
  • locations (country, city).

further information