8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/43 
Proposal  for a Council  Directive  on the harmonized  application  of the International 
Convention  for Safe  Containers  (CSC)  in the European  Economic  Community 
(Submitted  by  the Commission  to the Council,  on 18 July  1980) 
THE  COUNCIL  OF THE  EUROPEAN 
COMMUNITIES, 
Having  regard  to the  Treaty  establishing  the  Euro-
pean  Economic  Community,  and  in  particular 
Articles  75 and  84 (2) thereof, 
Having  regard  to the  proposal  submitted  by the 
Commission, 
Having  regard  to the opinion  of the European  Par-
liament, 
Having  regard  to the opinion  of the Economic  and 
Social  Committee, 
Whereas  the  International  Convention  for  Safe 
Containers  (CSC)  drawn  up as part  of the work  of 
the United  Nations  Inter-Governmental  Maritime 
Consultative  Organization  (IMCO)  entered  into 
force  on 6 September  1977  and  is open  for  ratifica-
tion or accession  by States,  including  the  Member 
States,  and  whereas  Council  Recommendation  79/ 
487/EEC  of 15 May  1979  (on the ratification  of the 
International  Convention  for  Safe  Containers 
(CSC))(')  recommends  Member  States  to ratify  or 
accede  to that  Convention; 
Whereas  the CSC  includes  rules  aimed  at maintain-
ing a high  degree  of safety  of human  life  during  the 
handling,  stacking  and  carriage  of containers,  and 
safety  rules  relating  to manufacture  and  testing; 
Whereas  the  non-uniform  application  of the  provi-
sions  of the CSC  by Member  States  would  be preju-
dicial  to the  harmonization  of the  conditions  of 
competition,  to safety  and  to the free  movement  of 
containers  and  goods  within  the common  market; 
Whereas  ratification  by or the accession  of all Mem-
ber States  is a necessary,  but  not  in itself  a suffi-
cient,  condition  of the  harmonized  application  of 
the Convention; 
Whereas  the General  Assembly  of IMCO  adopted  a 
resolution  No  A 436  (XI)  recommending  that  the 
(•) OJ  No L 125,  22. 5. 1979,  p. 18. controls  provided  for in the CSC  should  apply  from 
6 September  1982,  and  whereas  provisions  must  be 
established  without  delay  so that  operators  may 
have  all containers  examined  before  that  date; 
Whereas,  in view  of the large  number  of containers, 
administrations  and  owners  must  be given  a suffi-
cient  period  for  the  tasks  arising  from  testing, 
approval  and  the fixing  of the CSC  plates; 
Whereas  it is essential  to adopt  common  minimum 
provisions  on the  periodic  examination  of con-
tainers  and  common  minimum  criteria  for  the 
approval  of bodies  charged  with  examining  con-
tainers  in order  to minimize  the  differences  which 
could  prejudice  the  management  of containers, 
the safety  of human  life  and  goods; 
Whereas  it is important  to secure  the acceptance  of 
the principle  of the  owner's  responsibility  for  the 
maintenance  of containers; 
Whereas  uniform  implementation  of the provisions 
relating  to control  is essential  in order  to preclude 
the adoption  by the  Member  States  of different 
measures  for  similar  situations,  which  would  ham-
per the free  movement  of containers; 
Whereas  technical  progress  requires  the  prompt 
adaption  of this  Directive  and  its Annexes;  whereas, 
in order  to facilitate  the  measures  needed  to this 
end,  provision  should  be made  for  a procedure  for 
close  cooperation  between  the  Member  States  and 
the Commission  within  a Committee  on the  Adap-
tion to Technical  Progress  of this  Directive, 
HAS  ADOPTED  THIS  DIRECTIVE: 
Article  I 
I. Member  States  shall  apply  the provisions  of the 
International  Convention  for  Safe  Containers 
(CSC),  hereinafter  referred  to as the  CSC  , from  a 
date  not  later  than  1 July  1981  and  in the  manner 
stated  in this  Directive.  The  text  of the CSC  is con-
tained  in Annex  A. 
No C 228/44 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
2. For  the  purposes  of this  Directive,  the  expres-
sions  defined  in Article  II of the CSC  shall  have  the 
meaning  given  to them  by that  Article. 
A rticle  2 
Testing,  inspection,  approval  and  plating  of containers 
To ensure  uniform  application  of the procedures  for 
the testing,  inspection,  approval  and  plating  of con-
tainers  laid  down  by the CSC,  Member  States  shall, 
not later  than  1 January  1982,  make  the  necessary 
provisions  in conformity  with  the following  require-
ments: 
1. Member  States  shall  not  entrust  some  or all of 
the procedures  for  testing,  inspection  and 
approval  of  containers  to non-governmental 
organizations,  unless  these  organizations  satisfy 
the criteria  set out in Chapter  1 of Annex  B. 
2. Member  States  shall  send  a list of organizations 
entrusted  with  such  procedures  to the  Commis-
sion. 
3. For  the  purposes  of the  procedures  set  out  in 
Regulation  9 of Annex  I to the CSC,  evidence  on 
the matters  specified  in subparagraph  (d) may  be 
constituted  by  a statutory  declaration  to that 
effect. 
4. Where  the procedure  in accordance  with  3 above 
is applied,  Member  States  shall  require  that  the 
owner's  documentary  evidence  be maintained  in 
his own  files,  subject  to inspection  at any  time. 
5. The  Safety  Approval  Plate  requirements  (Regula-
tion 1 of Annex  I to the CSC)  shall  be interpreted 
in the  manner  indicated  in  Chapter  2 of 
Annex  B. 
Article  3 
Withdrawal  of approval 
1. Further  to the provisions  of Article  IV (5) of the 
CSC,  when  a considerable  number  of containers  in 
a design  type  series  approved  by a Member  State  are 
found  to be unsafe  as a result  of defects  which  may 
have  existed  prior  to such  approval,  the  Member 
State  which  has  granted  the  original  approval  shall 
initiate  action  to reconsider  the approval  of all con-
tainers  in this  series  and  shall  take  such  steps  as may 
be deemed  necessary  to bring  these  containers  into 
compliance  or to withdraw  their  approval. 2. Detailed  reasons  shall  be given  for any  decision 
involving  withdrawal  of approval.  The  interested 
party  shall  be notified  and  informed  of the means  of 
appeal  available  under  the  laws  of the  Member 
State  which  withdraws  the  approval  and  the  time 
limits  in which  these  appeals  must  be made. 
Article  4 
Maintenance 
1. Subject  to paragraph  2, the owner  of a container 
shall  be free  to select  methods  by which  he secures 
the safe  condition  of his  containers,  that  is, the 
appropriate  combination  of planned  maintenance, 
procedures  for  refurbishment,  refitting  and  repair 
and the persons  or bodies  to perform  this  work. 
2. If  a Member  State  obtains  clear  evidence  for 
believing  that  an owner  is repeatedly  failing  to 
achieve  a satisfactory  level  of safety,  it shall  request 
the Government  of the  territory  (be  it a Member 
State  or otherwise)  in which  the  owner  has  a head 
office  or residence,  to ensure  that  appropriate  action 
is taken. 
Article  5 
Periodic  examination  of containers 
To ensure  uniform  application  of examination  pro-
cedures,  Member  States  shall  take  the  necessary 
steps  to prescribe  or approve  procedures  as laid 
down  in Regulation  2 of Annex  I to the  CSC  not 
later  than  1 January  1982. 
These  procedures,  whether  approved  or prescribed, 
shall  satisfy  the  minimum  conditions  set  out  in 
Chapter  3 of Annex  B. 
Article  6 
Control 
1. Member  States  shall  exercise  the  control  pro-
visions  provided  for in Article  VI of the CSC  with 
respect  to the checking  of containers  for valid  Safety 
Approval  Plates  only  after  6 September  1982. 
2. Member  States  shall  effect  this  control  only 
through  Government  bodies,  a list of which  shall  be 
sent to the Commission. 
3. Control  arrangements  made  by Member  States 
in conformity  with  this  Article  and  with  Article  VI 
of the CSC  shall  conform  to Annex  C. 
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/45 
Article  7 
Adaptation  to technical  progress 
The changes  required  to adapt  this  Directive  and  its 
Annexes  to technical  progress  shall  be approved  in 
accordance  with  the  procedure  referred  to in 
Article  9. 
Article  8 
1. A Committee  on the  Adaptation  to Technical 
Progress  of this  Directive  (hereinafter  called  the 
'Committee')  is hereby  set  up;  it shall  consist  of 
representatives  of the  Member  States  with  a repre-
sentative  of the Commission  as Chairman. 
2. The  Committee  shall  adopt  its own  rules  of pro-
cedure. having  regard  to the urgency  of the matter.  Opinions 
shall  be adopted  by a majority  of four  votes,  the 
votes  of Member  States  being  weighted  as provided 
in Article  148  (2) of the Treaty.  The  Chairman  shall 
not vote. 
3. (a)  The  Commission  shall  adopt  the  measures 
envisaged  where  they  are  in accordance 
with  the opinion  of the Committee. 
(b) Where  the  measures  envisaged  are  not  in 
accordance  with  the  opinion  of the  Com-
mittee,  or if no opinion  is adopted,  the 
Commission  shall  without  delay  propose  to 
the Council  the  measures  to be adopted. 
The Council  shall  act by a qualified  major-
ity. 
(c) If, within  three  months  of the  proposal 
being  submitted  to it, the Council  has  not 
acted,  the  proposed  measures  shall  be 
adopted  by the Commission. 
Article  9 
1. Where  the procedure  laid  down  in this  Article  is 
to be followed,  matters  shall  be referred  to the Com-
mittee  by the Chairman,  either  on his own  initiative 
or at the request  of the representative  of a Member 
State. 
2. The  representative  of the Commission  shall  sub-
mit to the Committee  a draft  of the measures  to be 
adopted.  The  Committee  shall  deliver  its opinion  on 
the draft  within  a time  limit  set by the  Chairman Article  10 
Member  States  shall,  after  consulting  the  Commis-
sion,  adopt  the  laws,  regulations  or administrative 
provisions  necessary  to comply  with  this  Directive 
not later  than  1 January  1982,  without  prejudice  to 
the time  limit  laid  down  in Article  1. 
Article  11 
This  Directive  is addressed  to the Member  States. 
No C 228/46 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
ANNEX  A 
INTERNATIONAL  CONVENTION  FOR  SAFE  CONTAINERS 
(CSC) 
PREAMBLE 
THE  CONTRACTING  PARTIES, 
RECOGNIZING  the need  to maintain  a high  level  of safety  of human  life  in the handling,  stack-
ing and  transporting  of containers, 
MINDFUL  of the need  to facilitate  international  container  transport, 
RECOGNIZING,  in this  context,  the  advantages  of formalizing  common  international  safety 
requirements, 
CONSIDERING  that  this  end  may  best  be achieved  by the conclusion  of a Convention, 
HAVE  DECIDED  to formalize  structural  requirements  to ensure  safety  in the handling,  stacking 
and transporting  of containers  in the course  of normal  operations,  and  to this  end 
HAVE  AGREED  as follows: 
Article  I 
General  obligation  under  the present  Convention 
The Contracting  Parties  undertake  to give  effect  to 
the provisions  of the present  Convention  and  the 
Annexes  hereto,  which  shall  constitute  an integral 
part of the present  Convention. 
Article  II 
Definitions 
For the purpose  of the present  Convention,  unless 
expressly  provided  otherwise: 
1. 'Container'  means  an article  of transport  equip-
ment: 
(a) of a permanent  character  and  accordingly 
strong  enough  to be suitable  for  repeated 
use; 
(b) specially  designed  to facilitate  the transport 
of goods,  by one  or more  modes  of transport, 
without  intermediate  reloading; 
(c) designed  to be  secured  and/or  readily 
handled,  having  corner  fittings  for  these 
purposes; (d)of  a size  such  that  the area  enclosed  by the 
four outer  bottom  corners  is either: 
(i) at least  14 m2  (150  ft2) or 
(ii) at least  7 m2  (75 ft2) if it is fitted  with  top 
corner  fittings; 
the term  'container'  includes  neither  vehicles 
nor packaging;  however,  containers  when 
carried  on chassis  are included. 
2. 'Corner  fittings'  means  an arrangement  of aper-
tures  and  faces  at the top  and/or  bottom  of a 
container  for the purposes  of handling,  stacking 
and/or  securing. 
3. Administration'  means  the  Government  of a 
Contracting  Party  under  whose  authority  con-
tainers  are approved. 
4. 'Approved'  means  approved  by the Administra-
tion. 
5. Approval'  means  the decision  by an Adminis-
tration  that  a design  type  or a container  is safe 
within  the terms  of the present  Convention. 
6. 'International  transport'  means  transport 
between  points  of departure  and  destination 
situated  in the territory  of two  countries  to at 
least  one  of which  the  present  Convention 
applies.  The  present  Convention  shall  also 
apply  when  part  of a transport  operation 
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/47 
between  two  countries  takes  place  in the terri-
tory of a country  to which  the present  Conven-
tion applies. 
7. 'Cargo'  means  any  goods,  wares,  merchandise 
and articles  of every  kind  whatsoever  carried  in 
the containers. 
8. 'New  container'  means  a container  the construc-
tion of which  was  commenced  on or after  the 
date of entry  into  force  of the present  Conven-
tion. 
9. 'Existing  container'  means  a container  which  is 
not a new  container. 
10. 'Owner'  means  the owner  as provided  for under 
the national  law  of the Contracting  Party  or the 
lessee  or bailee,  if an agreement  between  the 
parties  provides  for the exercise  of the owner's 
responsiblity  for maintenance  and  examination 
of the container  by such  lessee  or bailee. 
11. 'Type  of container'  means  the  design  type 
approved  by the Administration. 
12. 'Type-series  container'  means  any  container 
manufactured  in accordance  with  the approved 
design  type. 
13. 'Prototype'  means  a container  representative  of 
those  manufactured  or to be manufactured  in a 
design  type  series. 
14. 'Maximum  Operating  Gross  Weight  or Rating' 
or 'R' means  the maximum  allowable  combined 
weight  of the container  and  its cargo. 
15. 'Tare  Weight'  means  the weight  of the  empty 
container  including  permanently  affixed  ancil-
lary equipment. 
16. Maximum  Permissible  Payload'  or P' means 
the difference  between  maximum  operating 
gross  weight  or rating  and  tare  weight. 3. Every  existing  container  shall  be approved  in 
accordance  with  the  relevant  provisions  for 
approval  of existing  containers  set out  in Annex  I 
within  five  years  from  the date  of entry  into  force  of 
the present  Convention. 
Article  IV 
Testing,  inspection,  approval  and maintenance 
1. For  the  enforcement  of the  provisions  in 
Annex  I every  Administration  shall  establish  an 
effective  procedure  for the testing,  inspection  and 
approval  of containers  in accordance  with  the 
criteria  established  in the  present  Convention, 
provided  however  that  an  Administration  may 
entrust  such  testing,  inspection  and  approval  to 
organizations  duly  authorized  by it. 
2. An  Administration  which  entrusts  such  testing, 
inspection  and  approval  to an organization  shall 
inform  the Secretary-General  of the Inter-Govern-
mental  Maritime  Consultative  Organization  (herein-
after  referred  to as 'the  Organization')  for communi-
cation  to Contracting  Parties. 
3. Application  for approval  may  be made  to the 
Administration  of any Contracting  Party. 
4. Every  container  shall  be maintained  in a safe 
condition  in accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
Annex  I. 
5. If an approved  container  does  not in fact  com-
ply with  the requirements  of Annexes  I and  II the 
Administration  concerned  shall  take  such  steps  as it 
deems  necessary  to bring  the container  into  compli-
ance  with  such  requirements  or to withdraw  the 
approval. 
Article  V 
Article  III 
Application 
1. The  present  Convention  applies  to new  and 
existing  containers  used  in international  transport, 
excluding  containers  specially  designed  for  air 
transport. 
2. Every  new  container  shall  be approved  either  in 
accordance  with  the provisions  for type-testing  or 
for individual  testing  as contained  in Annex  I. Acceptance  of approval 
1. Approval  under  the authority  of a Contracting 
Party,  granted  under  the terms  of the present  Con-
vention,  shall  be accepted  by the other  Contracting 
Parties  for all purposes  covered  by the present  Con-
vention.  It shall  be regarded  by the other  Contract-
ing Parties  as having  the same  force  as an approval 
issued  by them. 
2. A Contracting  Party  shall  not impose  any  other 
structural  safety  requirements  or tests  on containers 
covered  by the present  Convention,  provided  how-
No C 228/48 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
ever that  nothing  in the present  Convention  shall 
preclude  the application  of provisions  of national 
regulations  or legislation  or of international  agree-
ments,  prescribing  additional  structural  safety 
requirements  or  tests  for  containers  specially 
designed  for the transport  of dangerous  goods,  or 
for those  features  unique  to containers  carrying  bulk 
liquids  or for containers  when  carried  by air.  The 
term  'dangerous  goods'  shall  have  that  meaning 
assigned  to it by international  agreements. 
Article  VI 
Control 
1. Every  container  which  has been  approved  under 
Article  III shall  be subject  to control  in the territory 
of the Contracting  Parties  by officers  duly  author-
ized by such  Contracting  Parties.  This  control  shall 
be limited  to verifying  that  the container  carries  a 
valid  Safety  Approval  Plate  as required  by the pre-
sent Convention,  unless  there  is significant  evidence 
for believing  that  the condition  of the container  is 
such  as to create  an obvious  risk  to safety.  In that 
case the officer  carrying  out the control  shall  only 
exercise  it in so far as it may  be necessary  to ensure 
that the  container  is restored  to a safe  condition 
before  it continues  in service. 
2. Where  the container  appears  to have  become 
unsafe  as a result  of a defect  which  may  have 
existed  when  the  container  was  approved,  the 
Administration  responsible  for that  approval  shall 
be informed  by  the  Contracting  Party  which 
detected  the defect. 
Article  VII 
Signature,  ratification,  acceptance,  approval  and 
accession 
1. The  present  Convention  shall  be open  for signa-
ture until  15 January  1973  at the  Office  of the 
United  Nations  at Geneva  and  subsequently  from 
I February  1973  until  31 December  1973  inclusive  at 
the Headquarters  of the Organization  at London  by 
all States  Members  of the United  Nations  or Mem-
bers of any  of the Specialized  Agencies  or of the 
International  Atomic  Energy  Agency  or Parties  to 
the Statute  of the International  Court  of Justice,  and by any  other  State  invited  by the General  Assembly 
of the United  Nations  to become  a Party  to the pre-
sent Convention. 
2. The  present  Convention  is subject  to ratifica-
tion,  acceptance  or approval  by States  which  have 
signed  it. 
3. The  present  Convention  shall  remain  open  for 
accession  by any State  referred  to in paragraph  1. 
4. Instruments  of  ratification,  acceptance, 
approval  or accession  shall  be deposited  with  the 
Secretary-General  of the  Organization  (hereinafter 
referred  to as 'the  Secretary-General'). 
Article  VIII 
Entry  into  force 
1. The  present  Convention  shall  enter  into  force 
twelve  months  from  the date  of the deposit  of the 
tenth  instrument  of  ratification,  acceptance, 
approval  or accession. 
2. For  each  State  ratifying,  accepting,  approving  or 
acceding  to the present  Convention  after  the deposit 
of the 10th  instrument  of ratification,  acceptance, 
approval  or accession,  the present  Convention  shall 
enter  into  force  12 months  after  the date  of the 
deposit  by such  State  of its instrument  of ratifica-
tion,  acceptance,  approval  or accession. 
3. Any  State  which  becomes  a Party  to the present 
Convention  after  the entry  into  force  of an amend-
ment  shall,  failing  an expression  of a different 
intention  by that  State, 
(a) be considered  as a Party  to the Convention  as 
amended;  and 
(b) be considered  as a Party  to the  unamended 
Convention  in relation  to any  Party  to the Con-
vention  not bound  by the amendment. 
Article  IX 
Procedure  for amending  any part  or parts  of the 
present  Convention 
1. The  present  Convention  may  be amended  upon 
the proposal  of a Contracting  Party  by any  of the 
procedures  specified  in this  Article. 
2. Amendment  after  consideration  in the Organi-
zation: 
(a) Upon  the  request  of a Contracting  Party,  any 
amendment  proposed  by it to the present  Con-
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/49 
vention  shall  be considered  in the  Organization. 
If adopted  by a majority  of two-thirds  of those 
present  and  voting  in the Maritime  Safety  Com-
mittee  of the  Organization,  two  which  all Con-
tracting  Parties  shall  have  been  invited  to parti-
cipate  and  vote,  such  amendment  shall  be com-
municated  to all Members  of the  Organization 
and all Contracting  Parties  at least  six  months 
prior  to its consideration  by the Assembly  of the 
Organization.  Any  Contracting  Party  which  is 
not a Member  of the  Organization  shall  be enti-
tled to participate  and  vote  when  the  amend-
ment  is considered  by the Assembly. 
(b) If adopted  by a two-thirds  majority  of those  pre-
sent and  voting  in the  Assembly,  and  if such 
majority  includes  a two-thirds  majority  of the 
Contracting  Parties  present  and  voting,  the 
amendment  shall  be  communicated  by  the 
Secretary-General  to all Contracting  Parties  for 
their  acceptance. 
(c) Such  amendment  shall  come  into  force  12 
months  after  the date  on which  it is accepted  by 
two-thirds  of  the  Contracting  Parties.  The 
amendment  shall  come  into  force  with  respect 
to all Contracting  Parties  except  those  which, 
before  it comes  into  force,  make  a declaration 
that they  do not  accept  the amendment. 
3. Amendment  by a Conference: 
Upon  the  request  of a Contracting  Party,  concurred 
in by at least  one-third  of the  Contracting  Parties,  a 
Conference  to which  the  States  referred  to in 
Article  VII  shall  be invited  will  be convened  by the 
Secretary-General. 
A rticle  X 
Special  procedure  for amending  the Annexes 
1. Any  amendment  to the  Annexes  proposed  by a 
Contracting  Party  shall  be considered  in the  Organi-
zation  at the request  of that  Party. 
2. If  adopted  by a two-thirds  majority  of those  pre-
sent and  voting  in the  Maritime  Safety  Committee 
of the  Organization  to which  all Contracting  Parties 
shall  have  been  invited  to participate  and  to vote, 
and if such  majority  includes  a two-thirds  majority of the  Contracting  Parties  present  and  voting, 
such  amendment  shall  be  communicated  by  the 
Secretary-General  to  all  Contracting  Parties  for 
their  acceptance. 
3. Such  an amendment  shall  enter  into  force  on a 
date  to be determined  by the  Maritime  Safety  Com-
mittee  at the  time  of its adoption,  unless  by a prior 
date  determined  by the  Maritime  Safety  Committee 
at the  same  time  one-fifth  or five  of the  Contracting 
Parties,  whichever  number  is  less,  notify  the 
Secretary-General  of their  objection  to the  amend-
ment.  Determination  by the  Maritime  Safety  Com-
mittee  of the dates  referred  to in this  paragraph  shall 
be by a two-thirds  majority  of those  present  and 
voting,  which  majority  shall  include  a two-thirds 
majority  of the  Contracting  Parties  present  and 
voting. 
4. On  entry  into  force  any  amendment  shall,  for all 
Contracting  Parties  which  have  not  objected  to the 
amendment,  replace  and  supersede  any  previous 
provision  to which  the  amendment  refers;  an objec-
tion made  by a Contracting  Party  shall  not  be bind-
ing on other  Contracting  Parties  as to acceptance  of 
containers  to which  the present  Convention  applies. 
5. The  Secretary-General  shall  inform  all contract-
ing Parties  and  Members  of the Organization  of any 
request  and  communication  under  this  Article  and 
the date  on which  any  amendment  enters  into  force. 
6. Where  a proposed  amendment  to the  Annexes 
has been  considered  but  not  adopted  by the  Mari-
time  Safety  Committee,  any  Contracting  Party  may 
request  the  convening  of a Conference  to which  the 
States  referred  to in Article  VII  shall  be  invited. 
Upon  receipt  of notification  of concurrence  by at 
least  one-third  of the  other  Contracting  Parties  such 
a Conference  shall  be convened  by the  Secretary-
General  to consider  amendments  to the Annexes. 
Article  XI 
Denunciation 
1. Any  Contracting  Party  may  denounce  the  pre-
sent Convention  by  effecting  the  deposit  of an 
instrument  with  the  Secretary-General.  The  denun-
ciation  shall  take  effect  one  year  from  the  date  of 
such  deposit  with  the Secretary-General. 
No C 228/50 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
2. A Contracting  Party  which  has  communicated 
an objection  to an amendment  to the Annexes  may 
denounce  the present  Convention  and  such  denun-
ciation  shall  take  effect  on the  date  of entry  into 
force  of such  an amendment. 
Article  XII 
Termination 
The present  Convention  shall  cease  to be in force  if 
the number  of Contracting  Parties  is less  than  five 
for any period  of 12 consecutive  months. 
Article  XIII 
Settlement  of disputes 
1. Any  dispute  between  two  or more  contracting 
Parties  concerning  the interpretation  or application 
of the present  Convention  which  cannot  be settled 
by negotiation  or other  means  of settlement  shall,  at 
the request  of one  of them,  be referred  to an arbitra-
tion tribunal  composed  as follows:  each  party  to the 
dispute  shall  appoint  an arbitrator  and  these  two 
arbitrators  shall  appoint  a third  arbitrator,  who  shall 
be the Chairman.  If three  months  after  receipt  of a 
request  one  of the  parties  shall  have  failed  to 
appoint  an arbitrator  or if the arbitrators  shall  have 
failed  to elect  the Chairman,  any  of the parties  may 
request  the Secretary-General  to appoint  an arbitra-
tor or the Chairman  of the arbitration  tribunal. 
2. The  decision  of the arbitration  tribunal  desig-
nated  under  the provisions  of paragraph  1 shall  be 
binding  on the parties  to the dispute. 
3. The  arbitration  tribunal  shall  decide  its own 
rules  of procedure. 
4. Decisions  of the arbitration  tribunal  both  as to 
its procedure  and  its place  of meeting  and  as to any 
controversy  laid  before  it, shall  be taken  by majority 
vote. 
5. Any  controversy  which  may  arise  between  the 
parties  to the dispute  as regards  the interpretation 
and execution  of the award  may  be submitted  by 
either  party  for judgment  to the arbitration  tribunal 
which  made  the award. Article  XIV 
Reservations 
1. Reservations  to the present  Convention  shall  be 
permitted,  excepting  those  relating  to the provisions 
of Articles  I-VI,  XIII  and  of the present  Article  and 
of those  contained  in the  Annexes,  on condition 
that such  reservations  are communicated  in writing 
and, if communicated  before  the  deposit  of the 
instrument  of ratification,  acceptance,  approval  or 
accession,  are  confirmed  in that  instrument.  The 
Secretary-General  shall  communicate  such  reserva-
tions  to all States  referred  to in Article  VII. 
2. Any  reservations  made  in accordance  with  para-
graph  1: 
(a) modifies  for the Contracting  Party  which  made 
the reservation  the  provisions  of the  present 
Convention  to which  the reservation  relates  to 
the extent  of the reservation;  and 
(b) modifies  those  provisions  to the same  extent  for 
the other  Contracting  Parties  in their  relations 
with the  Contracting  Party  which  entered  the 
reservation. 
2. Any  Contracting  Party  which  has  formulated  a 
reservation  under  paragraph  1 may  withdraw  it at 
any time  by notification  to the Secretary-General. 
A rticle  X V 
Notification 
In addition  to the  notifications  and  communica-
tions  provided  for in Articles  IX, X and  XIV,  the 
Secretary-General  shall  notify  all the States  referred 
to in Article  VII of the following: 
(a) signatures,  ratifications,  acceptances,  approvals 
and accessions,  under  Article  VII; 
(b) the  dates  of entry  into  force  of the present  Con-
vention  in accordance  with  Article  VIII; 
(c) the  date  of entry  into  force  of amendments  to 
the present  Convention  in accordance  with  Arti-
cles IX and  X; 
(d) denunciation  under  Article  XI; 
(e) the  termination  of the  present  Convention 
under  Article  XII. 
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/51 
Article  XVI  Chinese,  English,  French,  Russian  and  Spanish  texts 
are equally  authentic,  shall  be deposited  with  the 
Authentic  texts  Secretary-General  who  shall  communicate  certified 
true copies  to all States  referred  to in Article  VII. 
The original  of the present  Convention,  of which  the 
In witness  whereof  the  undersigned  Plenipotentiaries,  being  duly  authorized  thereto 
by their  respective  Governments,  have  signed  the present  Convention. 
Done  at Geneva  this  second  day  of December,  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
seventy-two. 
No C 228/52 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
ANNEX  1 
REGULATIONS  FOR  THE  TESTING,  INSPECTION,  APPROVAL  AND  MAINTENANCE 
OF CONTAINERS 
CHAPTER  1 
REGULATIONS  COMMON  TO  ALL  SYSTEMS  OF 
APPROVAL 
Regulation  I 
Safety  Approval  Plate 
1. A  Safety  Approval  Plate  conforming  to the 
specifications  set out  in the  Appendix  to this  Annex 
shall  be permanently  affixed  to every  approved  con-
tainer  at a readily  visible  place  adjacent  to any  other 
approval  plate  issued  for  official  purposes  where  it 
would  not  be easily  damaged. 
2. (a)  The  Plate  shall  contain  the  following  infor-
mation  in at least  the  English  or French 
language: 
CSC  SAFETY  APPROVAL' 
Country  of approval  and  approval  refer-
ence, 
Date  (month  and  year)  of manufacture, 
Manufacturer's  identification  number  of 
the container  or,  in the  case  of existing 
containers,  for  which  that  number  is un-
known,  the  number  allotted  by the  Admin-
istration, 
Maximum  operating  gross  weight  (kg  and 
lbs) 
Allowable  stacking  weight  for  1 - 8 g (kg 
and lbs) 
Transverse  racking  test  load  value  (kg  and 
lbs). 
(b) A blank  space  should  be reserved  on the 
Plate  for  insertion  of end  and/or  side-wall 
strength  values  (factors)  in accordance  with 
Regulation  1, paragraph  3 and  Annex  II, 
tests  6 and  7. A blank  space  should  also  be 
reserved  on  the  Plate  for  first  and  sub-
sequent  maintenance  examination  dates 
(month  and  year)  when  used. 
3. Where  the  Administration  considers  that  a new 
container  satisfies  the  requirements  of the  present 
Convention  in respect  of safety  and  it, for  such 
container,  the  end  and/or  side-wall  strength  value (factor)  is designed  to be greater  or less  than  that 
stipulated  in Annex  II such  value  shall  be indicated 
on the  Safety  Approval  Plate. 
4. The  presence  of the  Safety  Approval  Plate  does 
not remove  the necessity  of displaying  such  labels  or 
other  information  as may  be required  by other  regu-
lations  which  may  be in force. 
Regulation  2 
Maintenance 
1. The  owner  of the  container  shall  be responsible 
for maintaining  it in safe  condition. 
2. The  owner  of  an  approved  container  shall 
examine  the  container  or  have  it examined  in 
accordance  with  the  procedure  either  prescribed  or 
approved  by the  'contracting  Party  concerned',  at 
intervals  appropriate  to operating  conditions.  The 
date  (month  and  year)  before  which  a new  container 
shall  undergo  its first  examination  shall  be marked 
on the  Safety  Approval  Plate. 
3. The  date  (month  and  year)  before  which  the 
container  shall  be  re-examined  shall  be  clearly 
marked  on the  container  on or as close  as practica-
ble to the  Safety  Approval  Plate  and  in a manner 
acceptable  to that  Contracting  Party  which  pres-
cribed  or approved  the  particular  maintenance  pro-
cedure  involved. 
4. The  interval  from  the date  of manufacture  to the 
date  of the  first  examination  shall  not  exceed  five 
years.  Subsequent  examination  of new  containers 
and re-examination  of existing  containers  shall  be at 
intervals  of not  more  than  24 months.  All  examina-
tions  shall  determine  whether  the  container  has  any 
defects  which  could  place  any  person  in danger. 
5. For  the  purpose  of this  Regulation  'the  Con-
tracting  Party  concerned'  is the Contracting  Party  of 
the territory  in which  the  owner  is domiciled  or has 
his head  office. 
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/53 
CHAPTER  II 
REGULATIONS  FOR  APPROVAL  OF  NEW 
CONTAINERS  BY  DESIGN  TYPE 
Regulation  3 
Approval  of New  Containers 
To qualify  for approval  for  safety  purposes  under 
the present  Convention  all  new  containers  shall 
comply  with  the requirements  set out in Annex  II. 
Regulation  4 
Design  Type  Approval 
In the  case  of containers  for  which  an application 
for approval  has  been  submitted,  the Administration 
will examine  designs  and  witness  testing  of a proto-
type  container  to ensure  that  the containers  will  con-
form  with  the  requirements  set  out  in Annex  II. 
When  satisfied,  the Administration  shall  notify  the 
applicant  in writing  that  the  container  meets  the 
requirements  of the  present  Convention  and  this 
notification  shall  entitle  the  manufacturer  to affix 
the Safety  Approval  Plate  to every  container  of the 
design  type  series. 
Regulation  5 
Provisions  for approval  by design  type 
1. Where  the containers  are to be manufactured  by 
design  type  series,  application  made  to an Adminis-
tration  for approval  by design  type  shall  be accom-
panied  by drawings,  a design  specification  of the 
type  of container  to be approved,  and  such  other 
data  as may  be required  by the Administration. 
2. The  applicant  shall  state  the identification  sym-
bols which  will  be assigned  by the manufacturer  to 
the type  of container  to which  the  application  for 
approval  relates. 
3. The  application  shall  also  be accompanied  by 
an assurance  from  the manufacturer  that  he shall: 
(a) produce  to the  Administration  such  containers 
of the design  type  concerned  as the Administra-
tion may  wish  to examine; 
(b) advise  the Administration  of any  change  in the 
design  or specification  and  await  its approval 
before  affixing  the Safety  Approval  Plate  to the 
container; (c) affix  the  Safety  Approval  Plate  to each  con-
tainer  in the design  type  series  and  to no others; 
(d) keep  a record  of containers  manufactured  to the 
approved  design  type.  This  record  shall  at least 
contain  the  manufacturer's  identification  num-
bers,  dates  of delivery  and  names  and  addresses 
of customers  to whom  the  containers  are 
delivered. 
4. Approval  may  be granted  by the Administration 
to containers  manufactured  as modifications  of an 
approved  design  type  if the Administration  is satis-
fied that  the modifications  do not affect  the validity 
of tests  conducted  in the  course  of design  type 
approval. 
5. The  Administration  shall  not confer  on a manu-
facturer  authority  to affix  Safety  Approval  Plates  on 
the basis  of design  type  approval  unless  satisfied 
that the manufacturer  has instituted  internal  produc-
tion-control  features  to ensure  that  the  containers 
produced  will  conform  to the approved  prototype. 
Regulation  6 
Examination  during  production 
In order  to ensure  that  containers  of the same  design 
type  series  are  manufactured  to the  approved 
design,  the Administration  shall  examine  or test  as 
many  units  as it considers  necessary,  at any  stage 
during  production  of the  design  type  series  con-
cerned. 
Regulation  7 
Notification  of administration 
The manufacturer  shall  notify  the  Administration 
prior  to commencement  of production  of each  new 
series  of containers  to be manufactured  in accord-
ance  with  an approved  design  type. 
CHAPTER  111 
REGULATIONS  FOR  APPROVAL  OF  EXISTING 
CONTAINERS 
Regulation  8 
Approval  of individual  containers 
Approval  of individual  containers  may  be granted 
where  the  Administration,  after  examination  and 
No C 228/54 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
witnessing  of tests,  is satisfied  that  the  container 
meets  the  requirements  of the  present  Convention; 
the Administration,  when  so satisfied,  shall  notify 
the applicant  in writing  of approval  and  this  notifi-
cation  shall  entitle  him  to affix  the Safety  Approval 
Plate  to such  container. 
CHAPTER  IV 
REGULATIONS  FOR  APPROVAL  OF  EXISTING 
CONTAINERS 
Regulation  9 
Approval  of existing  containers 
1. If,  within  five  years  from  the  date  of entry  into 
force  of the  present  Convention,  the  owner  of an 
existing  container  presents  the  following  informa-
tion to an Administration: 
(a) date  and  place  of manufacture; 
(b) manufacturer's  identification  number  of  the 
container  if available; 
(c) maximum  operating  gross  weight  capability; 
(d) (i)  evidence  that  a container  of this  type  has 
been  safely  operated  in maritime  and/or 
inland  transport  for  a period  of at least  two 
years,  or 
(ii) evidence  to the  satisfaction  of the  Adminis-
tration  that  the  container  was  manufactured to a design  type  which  had  been  tested  and 
found  to comply  with  the  technical  condi-
tions  set out  in Annex  II with  the  exception 
of those  technical  conditions  relating  to the 
end-wall  strength  tests,  or 
(iii) evidence  that  the  container  was  constructed 
to standards  which,  in the  opinion  of the 
Administration,  were  equivalent  to the  tech-
nical  conditions  set  out  in Annex  II with 
the exception  of those  technical  conditions 
relating  to  the  end-wall  and  side-wall 
strength  tests; 
(e) allowable  stacking  weight  for 1 - 8 g (kg and  lbs), 
and 
(0 such  other  data  as  required  for  the  Safety 
Approval  Plate, 
then  the  Administration,  after  investigation,  shall 
notify  the  owner  in writing  whether  approval  is 
granted,  and  if so, this  notification  shall  entitle  the 
owner  to affix  the  Safety  Approval  Plate  after  an 
examination  of the  container  concerned  has  been 
carried  out  in accordance  with  Regulation  2. 
2. Existing  containers  which  do  not  qualify  for 
approval  under  paragraph  1 of this  Regulation  may 
be presented  for  approval  under  the  provisions  of 
Chapter  II or Chapter  III of this  Annex.  For  such 
containers  the  requirements  of Annex  II relating  to 
end and/or  side-wall  strength  tests  shall  not  apply. 
The Administration  may,  if it is satisfied  that  the 
containers  in question  have  been  in service,  waive 
such  of the  requirements  in respect  of presentation 
of drawings  and  testing,  other  than  the  lifting  and 
floor-strength  tests,  as it may  deem  appropriate. 
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/55 
Appendix 
The Safety  Approval  Plate,  conforming  to the model  reproduced  below,  shall  take  the form  of a 
permanent,  non-corrosive,  fire-proof  rectangular  plate  measuring  not  less  than  200  mm  by 
100 mm.  The  words  'CSC  Safety  Approval'  of a minimum  letter  height  of 8 mm  and  all other 
words  and  numbers  of a minimum  height  of 5 mm  shall  be stamped  into,  embossed  on or indi-
cated  on its surface  in any  other  permanent  and  legible  way. 
CSC SAFETY  APPROVAL [GB - L/749/2/7/75] 
DATE  MANUFACTURED 
IDENTinCATION  No. 
MAXIMUM  GROSS  WEIGHT  kg 
ALLOWABLE  STACKING  WEIGHT 
FOR 1,8 g kg-  lb 
RACKING  TEST  LOAD  VALUE  kg-Ib 
lb Al 
200 mm 
(?) Country  of approval  and  approval  reference  as given  in the example  on line  1. (The  country 
of approval  should  be indicated  by means  of the distinguishing  sign  used  to indicate  country 
of registration  of motor  vehicles  in international  road  traffic). 
(? Date  (month  and  year)  of manufacture. 
(3 Manufacturer's  identification  number  of the container  or, in the  case  of existing  containers 
for which  that  number  is unknown,  the number  allotted  by the Administration. 
(?) Maximum  operating  gross  weight  (kg and  lbs ). 
5 Allowable  stacking  weight  for 1 8 g (kg and  lbs.). 
? Transverse  racking  test  load  value  (kg and  lbs.). 
I End  wall  strength  to be indicated  on plate  only  if end  walls  are designed  to withstand  a load 
of less  or greater  than  0-4  times  the maximum  permissible  payload,  i.e. 0-4  P. 
(8 Side  wall  strength  to be indicated  on plate  only  if the side  walls  are designed  to withstand  a 
load  of less  or greater  than  0 • 6 times  the maximum  permissible  payload,  i.e. 0 • 6 P. 
9 First  maintenance  examination  date  (month  and  year)  for  new  containers  and  subsequent 
maintenance  examination  dates  (month  and  year)  if Plate  used  for this  purpose. 
No C 228/56 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
Annex  II 
STRUCTURAL  SAFETY  REQUIREMENTS  AND  TESTS 
Introduction 
In setting  the requirements  of this  Annex,  it is implicit  that  in all phases  of the  operation  of containers  the 
forces  as a result  of motion,  location,  stacking  and  weight  of the loaded  container  and  external  forces  will  not 
exceed  the design  strength  of the container.  In particular,  the following  assumptions  have  been  made: 
(a) the container  will  so be restrained  that  it is not subjected  to forces  in excess  of those  for which  it has  been 
designed; 
(b)the  container  will  have  its cargo  stowed  in accordance  with  the recommended  practices  of the trade  so that 
the cargo  does  not impose  upon  the container  forces  in excess  of those  for which  it has been  designed. 
1. A container  made  from  any  suitable  material  which  satisfactorily  performs  the following  tests  without  sus-
taining  any  permanent  deformation  or abnormality  which  would  render  it incapable  of being  used  for its de-
signed  purpose,  shall  be considered  safe. 
2. The  dimensions,  positioning  and  associated  tolerances  of corner  fittings  shall  be checked  having  regard  to 
the lifting  and  securing  systems  in which  they  will  function. 
3. When  containers  are provided  with  special  fittings  for  use only  when  such  containers  are empty,  this  restric-
tion shall  be marked  on the container. 
Where  appropriate  to the design  of the container,  the following  test loads  and  test  procedures  shall  be applied 
to all kinds  of containers  under  test: 
The container,  having  the prescribed  internal  loading,  shall  be lifted  in such  a way  that  no significant  acceleration  forces  are 
applied.  After  lifting,  the container  shall  be suspended  or supported  for five  minutes  and  then  lowered  to the ground. Construction 
Test  loads  and  test  procedures 
Test  loadings  and  applied  forces Test  procedures 
1. Lifting 
(A) Lifting  from  corner  fittings 
Internal  loading: 
A uniformly  distributed  load  such  that  the  combined 
weight  of container  and  test  load  is equal  to 2R. (i) Lifting  from  top corner  fittings: 
Containers  greater  than  3 000  mm  (10  ft.) (nominal)  in 
length  shall  have  lifting  forces  applied  vertically  at all 
four  top corner  fittings. 
Containers  of 3 000  mm  (10  ft.) (nominal)  in length 
and less  shall  have  lifting  forces  applied  at all four  top 
corner  fittings,  in such  a way  that  the  angle  between 
each  lifting  device  and  the vertical  shall  be 30°. 
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/57 
Test  loadings  and  applied  forces 
Externally  applied  forces: 
Such  as to lift  the combined  weight  of 2R in the  manner 
prescribed  (under  the heading  Test  procedures). Test  procedures 
(ii) Lifting  from  bottom  corner  fittings: 
Containers  shall  have  lifting  forces  applied  in such  a 
manner  that  the lifting  devices  bear  on the bottom  cor-
ner fittings  only.  The  lifting  forces  shall  be applied  at 
angles  to the horizontal  of: 
30° for  containers  of length  12 000  mm  (40  ft.) (nom-
inal)  or greater; 
37° for  containers  of length  9 000  mm  (30  ft.) (nomin-
al) and  up  to but  not  including  12 000  mm  (40  ft.) 
(nominal); 
45° for  containers  of length  6 000  mm  (20  ft.) (nomin-
al) and  up  to but  not  including  9 000  mm  (30  ft.) 
(nominal); 
60° for containers  of less  than  6 000  mm  (20  ft.) (nom-
inal). 
(B) Lifting  by any  other 
Internal  loading: 
A uniformly  distributed  load  such  that  the  combined 
weight  of container  and  test  load  is equal  to 1 25 R. 
Externally  applied  forces: 
Such  as to lift the combined  weight  of 1 25 R in the man-
ner prescribed  (under  the heading  Test  procedures). 
Internal  loading: 
A uniformly  distributed  load  such  that  the  combined 
weight  of containers  and  test  load  is equal  to 1 - 25 R. 
Externally  applied  forces: 
Such  as to lift the combined  weight  of 1-25  R, in the man-
ner prescribed  (under  the heading  Test  procedures). additional  methods 
(i) Lifting  from  fork  lift pockets: 
The container  shall  be placed  on bars  which  are in the 
same  horizontal  plane,  one  bar  centred  within  each 
fork lift  pocket  which  is used  for  lifting  the  loaded 
container.  The  bars  shall  be of the  same  width  as the 
forks  intended  to be used  in the  handling,  and  shall 
project  into  the  fork  pocket  75 per  cent  of the  length 
of the fork  pocket. 
(ii) Lifting  from  grappler  arm  positions: 
The container  shall  be placed  on pads  in the  same 
horizontal  plane,  one  under  each  grappler  arm  posi-
tion.  These  pads  shall  be of the same  sizes  as the lift-
ing area  of the grappler  arms  intended  to be used. 
(iii) Other  Methods: 
Where  containers  are designed  to be lifted  in the load-
ed condition  by any  method  not  mentioned  in (A)  or 
(B) (i) and  (ii) they  shall  also  be tested  with  the inter-
nal loading  and  externally  applied  forces  representa-
tive of the acceleration  conditions  appropriate  to that 
method. 
2. Stacking 
1. For  conditions  of international  transport  where  the maximum  vertical  acceleration  forces  vary  significantly  from  1 • 8 g and 
when  the  container  is reliably  and  effectively  limited  to such  conditions  of transport,  the stacking  load  may  be varied  by the 
appropriate  ratio  of acceleration  forces. 
2. On  successfull  completion  of this  test  the  container  may  be rated  for  the allowable  superimposed  static  stacking  weight 
which  should  be indicated  on the  Safety  Approval  Plate  against  the  heading  'Allowable  stacking  weight  for 1 - 8 g (kg  and 
lbs.)'. 
Internal  loading: 
A uniformly  distributed  load  such  that  the  combined 
weight  of container  and  test  load  is equal  to 1 • 8 R. The container,  having  the prescribed  internal  loading,  shall 
be placed  on four  level  pads  which  are  in turn  supported 
on a rigid  horizontal  surface,  one  under  each  bottom  cor-
ner fitting  or equivalent  corner  structure.  The  pads  shall  be 
centralized  under  the fittings  and  shall  be of approximately 
the same  plan  dimensions  as the fittings. 
No C 228/58 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
Test  loadings  and  applied  forces  Test  procedures 
Externally  applied  forces: 
Such  as to subject  each  of the four  top  corner  fittings  to a 
vertical  downward  force  equal  to V* x 1-8  x the  allow-
able  superimposed  static  stacking  weight. Each  externally  applied  force  shall  be applied  to each  of 
the corner  fittings  through  a corresponding  test  corner  fit-
ting or through  a pad  of the  same  plan  dimensions.  The 
test corner  fittings  or pad  shall  be offset  with  respect  to the 
top corner  fitting  of the container  by 25 mm  (1 in.)  laterally 
and 38 mm  (1 V2 in.) longitudinally. 
3. Concentrated  loads  (a)  On roof 
Internal  loading: 
None. 
Externally  applied  forces: 
A concentrated  load  of 300  kg (660  lb.)  uniformly  distri-
buted  over  an area  of 600  mm  x 300  mm  (24  in. x 12 in ). The externally  applied  forces  shall  be applied  vertically 
downwards  to the outer  surface  of the weakest  area  of the 
roof of the container. 
(b) On floor 
Internal  loading: 
Two  concentrated  loads  each  of 2 730  kg (6 000  lb.)  and 
each  applied  to the container  floor  through  a contact  area 
of 142  cnri2  (22  in2) The test  should  be made  with  the container  resting  on four 
level  supports  under  its four  bottom  corners  in such  a man-
ner that  the  base  structure  of the  container  is free  to de-
flect. 
A testing  device  loaded  to  a weight  of  5 460  kg 
(12 000  lbs.)  that  is 2 730  kg (6 000  lbs.)  on each  of two  sur-
faces  having,  when  loaded,  a total  contact  area  of 284  cm2 
(44 in2)  that  is 142  cm2  (22  in2)  on each  surface,  the surface 
width  being  180  mm  (7 in.)  spaced  760  mm  (30  in.)  apart, 
centre  to centre,  should  be manoeuvred  over  the  entire 
floor  area  of the container. 
Externally  applied  forces: 
None. 
4. Transverse  racking 
Internal  loading: 
None.  The  container  in tare  condition  shall  be placed  on four 
level  supports  one  under  each  bottom  corner  and  shall  be 
restrained  against  lateral  and  vertical  movement  by means 
of anchor  devices  so arranged  that  the  lateral  restraint  is 
provided  only  at the bottom  corners  diagonally  opposite  to 
those  at which  the forces  are applied. 
Externally  applied  forces: 
Such  as to rack  the  end  structures  of the  containers  side-  The  externally  applied  force  shall  be applied  either  separ-
ways.  The  forces  shall  be equal  to those  for which  the con-  ately  or simultaneously  to each  of the top  corner  fittings  on 
tainer  was  designed.  one  side  of the  container  in lines  parallel  both  to the  base 
and to the planes  of the  ends  of the  container.  The  forces 
shall  be applied  first  towards  and  then  away  from  the top 
corner  fittings.  In the case  of containers  in which  each  end 
is symmetrical  about  its own  vertical  centreline,  one  side 
only  need  be tested,  but  both  sides  on containers  with 
asymmetric  ends  shall  be tested. 
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/59 
Test  loadings  and  applied  forces  Test  procedures 
5. Longitudinal  restraint  (static  test) 
When  designing  and  constructing  containers,  is must  be borne  in mind  that  containers,  when  carried  by inland  modes  of 
transport  may  sustain  accelerations  of 2 g applied  horizontally  in a longitudinal  direction. 
Interna]  loading: 
A uniformly  distributed  load,  such  that  the  combined 
weight  of a container  and  test  load  is equal  to the maxi-
mum  operating  gross  weight  or rating,  R. The container  having  the prescribed  internal  loading  shall 
be restrained  longitudinally  by securing  the  two  bottom 
corner  fittings  or equivalent  corner  structures  at one  end  to 
suitable  anchor  points. 
Externally  applied  forces: 
Such  as to subject  each  side  of the container  to longitudi-
nal compressive  and  tensile  forces  of magnitude  R, that  is, 
a combined  force  of 2R on the base  of the container  as a 
whole. The externally  applied  forces  shall  be applied  first  towards 
and then  away  from  the anchor  points.  Each  side  of the 
container  shall  be tested. 
6. End-walls 
The end  walls  should  be capable  of withstanding  a load  of not less  than  0 4 times  the maximum  permissible  payload.  If, 
however,  the end  walls  are designed  to withstand  a load  of less  or greater  than  0 4 times  the maximum  permissible  payload 
such  a strength  factor  shall  be indicated  on the Safety  Approval  Plate  in accordance  with  Annex  I, Regulation  1. 
Internal  loading: 
Such  as to subject  the inside  of an end-wall  to a uniformly 
distributed  load  of 0-4P  or such  other  load  for which  the 
container  may  be designed. The prescribed  internal  loading  shall  be applied  as fol-
lows: 
Both  ends  of a container  shall  be tested  except  where  the 
ends  are identical  only  one  end  need  be tested.  The  end-
walls  of containers  which  do not  have  open  sides  or side 
doors  may  be tested  separately  or simultaneously. 
The end-walls  of containers  which  do have  open  sides  or 
side doors  should  be tested  separately.  When  the ends  are 
tested  separately  the reactions  to the forces  applied  to the 
end-wall  shall  be confined  to the base  structure  of the con-
tainer. 
Externally  applied  forces: 
None. 
7. Side-walls 
The side-walls  should  be capable  of withstanding  a load  of not  less  than  0-6  times  the maximum  permissible  payload.  If, 
however,  the side-walls  are designed  to withstand  a load  of less  or greater  than  0-6  times  the maximum  permissible  payload, 
such  a strength  factor  should  be indicated  on the Safety  Approval  Plate  in accordance  with  Annex  I, Regulation  1. 
Internal  loading: 
Such  as to subject  the inside  of a side-wall  to a uniformly 
distributed  load  of 0-6P  or such  other  load  for which  the 
container  may  be designed. The prescribed  internal  loading  shall  be applied  as fol-
lows: 
Both  sides  of a container  shall  be tested  except  where  the 
sides  are identical  only  one  side  need  be tested.  Side-walls 
shall  be tested  separately  and  the reactions  to the internal 
loading  shall  be confined  to the corner  fittings  or equiva-
lent corner  structures.  Open  topped  containers  shall  be 
tested  in the condition  in which  they  are designed  to be 
operated,  for  example,  with  removable  top  members  in 
position. 
Externally  applied  forces: 
None. 
No C 228/60 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
ANNEXB 
CHAPTER  I 
(see Article  2(1)) 
(Application  of Article  IV of the Convention) 
MINIMUM  CRITERIA  FOR  APPOINTMENT  OF  THE  ORGANIZATIONS  RESPONSI-
BLE  FOR  THE  TESTING,  INSPECTION  AND  APPROVAL  OF  THE  CONTAINERS  IN 
ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  CSC  CONVENTION 
1. The  organization  must  be free  from  undue  influence  of manufacturers,  owners, 
operators  lessors  or repairers  of containers,  and  others  concerned  who  may  have  a 
vested  interest  in obtaining  container  approvals,  in that:  in particular: 
(a) the  conditions  of employment  of the personnel  is free  of influence  or control 
by any of the abovementioned  parties; 
(b) the  loss  or award  of a specific  contract  to approve  containers  would  not be a 
substantial  factor  in the profitability  of the organization. 
2. The  organization  must  demonstrate  ability  to carry  out competently  those  testing, 
inspections  or approval  procedures  which  it may  be required  to perform  and  it 
must  have  at its disposal  the  necessary  trained  and  experienced  technical  and 
administrative  staff  and the means  for it to perform  all required  functions. 
3. The  remuneration  of the staff  must  not depend  upon  the number  of approvals,  tests 
and examinations  carried  out,  nor the results  of such  approvals,  tests  or examina-
tions. 
4. The  organization  must  take  out civil  liability  insurance  unless  this  liability  is cov-
ered by the State  on the basis  of national  law  or the controls  are conducted  directly 
by the Member  State. 
CHAPTER  2 
(see Article  2 (3)) 
(Application  of Regulation  1 of Chapter  1 of the Convention) 
INFORMATION  TO BE RECORDED  ON  THE  SAFETY  APPROVAL  PLATE 
Marking  on line  1 
Existing  containers 
1. The  same  approval  reference  number  to be entered  on line  1 of the plate  may  be 
assigned  to each  owner  in respect  of all containers  specified  in a single  application 
for approval. 
Marking  on line  2 
New containers 
2. The  date  of manufacture  entered  on the CSC  plate  may  be the month  and  the year 
in which  the manufacture  of the container  was  completed. 
Marking  on line  3 
3. Both  in respect  of existing  containers  and  new  containers,  the number  to be entered 
on line  3 may  be the owner's  ISO  standard  alpha  numeric  identification  code:  in 
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/61 
that case,  the  Member  State  shall  ensure  that  the  applicant  for  approval  keeps  a 
record  correlating  these  Identification  Code  Numbers  with  the  manufacturer's 
serial  number. 
CHAPTER  3 
(see Article  5) 
MINIMUM  COMMON  REQUIREMENTS  FOR  THE  CONTAINER  EXAMINATION 
PROCEDURES 
Personnel  carrying  out examinations 
1. The  examination  shall  be carried  out  by a person  having  such  knowledge  and 
experience  of containers  as will  enable  him  to determine,  in accordance  with  para-
graph  2 below,  whether  the container  has  any  defect  which  could  render  it unsafe. 
Elements  to be included  in the examinations 
2. The  person  performing  the examination  shall  carry  out: 
a detailed  visual  examination  of the  exterior  of the  container  and,  if possible  with-
out too  much  difficulty  (e.g.  if the container  happens  to be empty),  of the  interior. 
He will  consider,  in particular,  at least  the following  factors: 
(a) the  presence  of mechanical  damage, 
(b) the  condition  of the following  structural  components: 
— end  frames, 
— upper  and  lower  side  rails, 
— base  structure,  including  the underside  of the container, 
— corner  castings  and  various  devices  for handling  the container, 
— door  closure  gear, 
— external  panelling, 
— roof. 
(c) the  conditions  of welding,  riveting  or other  method  of fastening, 
(d) corrosion, 
(e) the  condition  of the CSC  plate. 
3. The  underside  of the container  shall  be examined.  This  may  be done  either  with  the 
container  supported  on a skeletal  chassis  or if the person  performing  the examina-
tion considers  it necessary,  after  the container  has  been  lifted  on other  supports. 
4. The  person  performing  the external  examination  shall  have  the  authority  to require 
a more  detailed  examination  to include  the interior  of the container  if the condition 
of the container  appears  to warrant  such  examination. 
Recording  of the examination 
5. After  carrying  out  the  examination  and  if he is satisfied  that  the container  is free  of 
any defects  which  could  place  any  person  in danger,  the  examiner  shall  give  the 
owner  at least  the following  information: 
— information  marked  on line  3 of the CSC  plate, 
— date  on which  the examination  was  carried  out, 
No C 228/62 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 8. 9. 80 
— the  date  before  which  the container  should  be re-examined, 
— identification  of himself. 
Record  keeping 
6. The  owner  shall  keep  a record  of the above  particulars  at least  until  such  a time  as 
the particulars  of a subsequent  examination  are made  known  to him. 
Frequency  of re-examination 
7. When  determining  whether  it is acceptable  that  the  interval  between  examinations 
should  be maximum  of 24 months  prescribed  by the CSC,  account  shall  be taken  of 
the severity  of the  treatment  to which  the  container  is exposed  in use  and  of the 
intermediate  examinations  having  regard  to their  extent  and  to the competence  of 
the persons  performing  them. 
8. 9. 80 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 228/63 
ANNEXC 
CONTROL  PROCEDURES 
(see Article  6 (3)) 
Unsafe  containers 
1. (1) When  a container  is found  by the authority  exercising  control  to have  a defect 
which  could  place  a person  in danger,  the container  shall  be stopped. 
(2) If, however  the container  can  be safely  moved  (e.g.  to a place  where  it can  be 
restored  to a safe  condition  or to its destination),  the authority  exercising  con-
trol may  permit  such  a movement  under  such  conditions  as the authority  may 
specify  and  provided  that  the container  is repaired  as expeditiously  as may  be 
practicable  and  not  reloaded  before  this  is done. 
Non-defective  container  without  an approval  plate  or with  an incorrectly  completed 
approval  plate 
2. (I) When  the  authority  exercising  control  establishes  that  the  container  has  no 
safety  approval  plate  or that  the  plate  does  not  appear  to be correctly  com-
pleted  the container  may  be stopped. 
(2) When,  however  evidence  can  be produced  either  to the effect  that  such  con-
tainer  has  been  approved  in accordance  with  the provisions  of CSC,  or to the 
effect  that  it meets  the  standards  of the  Convention,  the authority  exercising 
control  may  permit  the container  to proceed  its destination  for unloading  on 
condition  that  it is not reloaded  until  it has been  correctly  plated. 
Non-defective  containers  with  an out of date  plate 
3. (1)  When  the  container  is found  by the  authority  exercising  control  to have  the 
date  (recorded  on or near  to the safety  approval  plate)  expired,  the container 
may be stopped. 
(2) If, however,  the container  can  be safely  moved,  the authority  exercising  control 
may permit  the container  to proceed  to its destination  for unloading  on condi-
tion that  it shall  be examined  and  updated  as expeditiously  as it may  be prac-
ticable  and  not  reloaded  before  this  has been  done. 
Control  procedure  — Special  provisions 
4. The  authority  exercising  control  may  authorize  the owner  of the container  found  to 
be defective  under  1,2,  or 3 to move  it in an empty  condition  to another  country 
where  the appropriate  corrective  action  may  be carried  out more  easily. 
In this  case,  the authority  exercising  control  must  ensure  by means  of measures 
which  it considers  appropriate  that  the corrective  action  is actually  carried  out.