UN Packagings - Bags

Textile bags are divided into two categories:

• 5L2 - Sift-proof textile bags
• 5L3 - Water-resistant textile bags

Sift-proof packagings are impermeable to dry contents, such as fine solid material, produced during transport. Examples of sift-proof packagings include paper-bonded or film-bonded inner surfaces. Water-resistant textile bags prevent the entry of moisture by using separate inner liners, or by using plastic film or similar material bonded to the inner surface of the bag.

Woven plastic bags are divided into three categories:

• 5H1 - Without an inner lining or coating
• 5H2 - Sift-proof woven plastic
• 5H3 - Water-resistant woven plastic

These bags must be made of stretched tapes or monofilaments of a suitable plastic material. If the fabric is woven flat, the bag must be made by sewing or some other method to ensure closure at the bottom and one side. If the fabric is tubular, the bag must be closed by sewing, weaving, or another equally strong method of closure.

Plastic film bags are coded as 5H4. They must be made of a suitable plastic material, and the joints and closures must withstand pressures and impacts that may occur during normal conditions of transport.

Paper bags are divided into two categories:

• 5M1 - Multi-wall
• 5M2 - Multi-wall, water-resistant paper

These bags must be made of suitable kraft paper or an equivalent of at least three plies. The middle ply must be net-cloth and adhesively bonded to the outer ply. All joints and closures must be sift-proof. To prevent moisture, water-resistant bags must be composed of four or more plies, and the outer ply must be water resistant or a water-resistant barrier must be used.

The maximum net weight of all bags is 50 kg.

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