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For the classification of chemicals, special standardized test procedures have been developed and are used world-wide. Safe handling and use of these chemicals depend on the correct classification which therefore must be based on the precise and correct execution of the tests and their evaluation. In this context interlaboratory tests (round robin tests, interlaboratory comparisons / intercomparisons) are a crucial element of a laboratory's quality system. Participation in interlaboratory tests is explicitly recommended by the standard ISO/IEC 17025.
The present document reports on the results of the interlaboratory test 2009/2010 on the test methods UN O.2 “Test for oxidizing liquids” [1] / EC A.21 “Oxidizing Properties (Liquids)” [2] which was organized by the Center for Quality Assurance for Testing of Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances.
The test methods UN O.2 and EC A.21 are applied to characterize the oxidizing properties of liquid chemical substances or mixtures. To differentiate between chemicals with hazardous / dangerous oxidizing properties and chemicals which are not classified as hazardous / dangerous, the substance’s oxidizing properties are compared to those of a standard reference substance.
Since the methods (UN O.2 / EC A.21) were developed and came into force in the early nineties a systematic review concerning the practical application of the test method has not been carried out.
The classification of solid oxidizers according to the regulations on the transport of dangerous goods (based on the UN Recommendations/Model Regulations and accepted by all international organisations for the transport of dangerous goods as ADR, IMO, IATA) and in future also according to the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) is performed on the basis of the results of the UN test O.1 (UN test O.1 ―Test for oxidizing solids‖ described in chapter 34.4.1 in the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Manual of Tests and Criteria, see [1]). This test was introduced into the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria in 1995 as a replacement for a similar test from 1986. Even if the UN O.1 test as described in the current 5th revised edition of UN Manual of Tests and Criteria gives some improvements compared to the old test, which had had many deficiencies, there are still some problems left with this test in terms of e.g. repeatability or reproducibility of test results, how to handle compacted or multilayer formulations like tablets, toxicity and partly significantly varying particle size distribution within defined fractions of 150 μm to 300 μm of the reference oxidizer potassium bromate (KBrO3). For this reason the IGUS EOS working group installed an ad-hoc working group in 2002 assigned with the task to propose solutions for the existing problems. The appropriateness of such proposed solutions has to be proved by the method of interlaboratory (round robin) tests before they are presented for the adoption to the UN Committee of Experts on the TDG and on the GHS with a proposal of a completely revised test procedure.
For the classification of chemicals, special standardized test procedures have been developed and are used world-wide. Safe handling and use of these chemicals depend on the correct classification which
therefore must be based on the precise and correct execution of the tests and their evaluation. In this context interlaboratory tests (round robin tests, interlaboratory comparisons / intercomparisons) are a crucial element of a laboratory's quality system. Participation in interlaboratory tests is explicitly recommended by the standard ISO/IEC 17025. The present document reports on the results of the interlaboratory test 2007 on the method UN Test N.5 “Test method for substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases” [1] / EC A.12 “Flammability (contact with water)” [2] which was organized by the Center for Quality Assurance for Testing of Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances.
In dependence on the chemical structure and/or the physical form and state (e.g. particle size) substances or mixtures may be able to react with water (even water damp / air humidity) under normal ambient temperature conditions. Sometimes this reaction can be violent and/or with significant generation of heat. Especially if gases are evolved this reaction may become dangerous. In addition, it is important to know whether a substance emits flammable gases due to contact with water because
special precautions are necessary especially with regard to explosion protection. The methods UN Test N.5 and EC A.12 are applied to characterize chemical substances or mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases. To differentiate between chemicals with these properties and chemicals which are not classified as hazardous / dangerous, the substance’s gas evolution rate is determined and compared to the classification criteria(s) in the last step of the test
method. In the methods UN Test N.5 / EC A.12 no special laboratory apparatus / measuring technique to determine gas evolving flow is required. However, practical experience shows that the testing procedure for substances and mixtures which in contact with water emit flammable gases is sensitive to a number of influencing factors. Since the methods (UN N.5 / EC A.12) were developed and came into force in the early nineties a
systematic review concerning the practical application of the test method has not been carried out.