The Industrial Packaging Safety Alliance (PackSafe) is a coalition of interested parties, including risk managers, insurers, code officials and others, who support the safe use of industrial packaging to transport and warehouse hazardous and non-hazardous materials. PackSafe supporters seek to make industrial packaging safer by advocating for regulatory clarity and consistency, and raising awareness about the importance of selecting the right package for the right product.

What is the issue?

A disconnect exists in current regulations regarding the transportation and warehousing of hazardous and non-hazardous materials. This lack of harmonization poses a threat to public safety, worker safety, property safety and the environment. For example:

• There is a misalignment between the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) guidelines and federal rules produced by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on the proper containerization of hazardous materials, leading to a false sense of security.
• The U.S. Department of Transportation and NFPA maintain inconsistent definitions for the classification of certain hazardous materials, leading fillers and shippers to select inappropriate packaging for their products.
• Internationally, the U.S. regulations and standards differ from those of other countries, meaning the safety of imported shipments cannot be guaranteed.

What is the purpose of PackSafe?

PackSafe’s objective is to work toward making industrial packaging safer for people, property and the environment. There is a great need to raise awareness among regulators and industry sectors about the importance of selecting the right package for the right product. We seek to bring together a cross-section of industry interests to advocate for regulatory clarity and consistency throughout the supply chain. Our goal is to bring about a fair, workable regulatory structure that aligns the economic, logistical, practical and safety interests required for transporting, storing and manufacturing goods and products in the United States.

Learn More

This fact sheet will help you learn more about PackSafe and its goals. Feel free to copy and share with other interested parties.