IGUS : EOS working group

Topic	Comments
Global harmonisation	The main principles are agreed. We need to identify any weaknesses and gaps and agree on improvements/amendments e.g. ammonium nitrates, adaptation of tests and criteria.
Test methods	Further work is required, particularly in regard to: harmonisation of test series A, E, and F, open and closed pressure vessel tests, screening procedures.
Test data	We need to publish the test data underlying the generic systems of classification.
OECD guidelines for testing of explosives	OECD have expressed the intention to develop guidelines for testing explosives. We should assist in this insofar as it refers to substances intended for explosive use, to help prevent unnecessary duplication.
Revision of the Manual of Tests and Criteria	It is likely that changes will need to be made as a result of reformatting the UN Recommendations, from global harmonisation and because it is likely that competent authorities will require transport classification tests to be performed to a Quality Assurance Procedure such as Good Laboratory Practice.
Incidents	An important function of EOS is to exchange data and lessons learnt from incidents.
Burning rate of solid organic peroxides	A representative small-scale burning test for solid organic peroxides (and self-reactive substances?) is required to allow adequate classification for storage.
Rationalisation of the UN ammonium nitrate entries	Ammonium nitrate compositions are widely used as fertilisers and have both oxidising and explosive properties. Classification of ammonium nitrate fertilisers is currently under review. Ammonium nitrate based emulsion matrices may be intended for use as an explosive ingredient but may not be classified as an explosive. These ammonium nitrate emulsions intermediate for blasting explosive type E need to be classified according to an appropriate testing regime. Detonation test and a confined large scale test need to be developed.
Rationalisation of chapter 11 of the UN Recommendations*	Cefic wish to modify the control temperature requirements for tanks and rationalise tables 11.3, 11.4 and 11.5*.
Rationalisation of chapter 14 of the UN Recommendations*	Classification of thermally stable energetic substances is still under discussion.
Rationalisation of the requirements for the IBC and tank transport of organic peroxides	The control temperature requirements for IBCs and tanks need to be revised and the principles for classification for tank and IBC transport may require revision.
Requirements for the IBC and tank transport of self-reactives	At present, there are no provisions for the tank transport of self-reactive substances. Proposals have been submitted to the UN which copy the peroxide proposals.
Co-operation between competent authorities	There needs to be more consistency in application of the criteria between countries. Informal discussions could assist on harmonisation of approaches.
Process safety	An increasing number of the laboratory members of EOS are becoming involved in process safety studies. It is intended to discuss test methods for assessing chemical reaction hazards and the application of results to real situations.
Organic peroxides	Reducing the UN list of organic peroxides and self-reactives. Changing the flow chart for the classification of organic peroxides and self-reactives. A new aspect on the quantity dependence of SADT.
Substances related to self-reactive substances	With the removal of the "substances related to self-reactive substances" from the UNRTDG, coupled to the ambiguity of the text in the 11th edition, newly identified relatively thermally stable substances with explosive properties may no longer be subject to control during transport. In contrast, existing substances are often subject to tighter control than their thermally less stable counterparts (non-temperature controlled self-reactives). e.g. for air transport and under ADR. The substances are not class 1 only by virtue of their pakaged behaviour, but if they are unregulated there is no restriction on packaging. It is therefore necessary to clarify the classification principles for these materials.
Oxidisers	The testing method for solid oxidisers needs to be improved. There are new aspects on the liquid oxidiser test.

* chapter numbers and table numbers refer to the 10th edition of the 'Orange Book'