New DOT Special Permit makes Capsuloc™ secondary hazmat containers even more essential.

Last year, we introduced Capsuloc™—an innovative new secondary hazmat container that was superior to paint can-style secondary containers in almost every way.

Now, there’s no “almost” about it.

On May 10, 2023, PHMSA issued Special Permit DOT-SP 21488, which gives Capsuloc relief from regulatory burdens similar to the relief received by other Special Permit packaging products that use a metal can for secondary containment. With this relief, Capsuloc now fits into most of the same Dangerous Goods transport workflows as paint can secondary containers—with advantages for secondary containment that paint cans can’t match (Capsuloc is also accepted as exemption by UPS and FedEx).

Long story short? It’s time to kick the can—permanently.

What’s your biggest complaint about paint can secondary containers? Please tell us about it in the comment box below!

What makes Capsuloc a better secondary hazmat container?

How is Capsuloc superior to paint can-style secondary containers? Just about every way possible.

Capsuloc’s screw-tight lid is easier and more secure. Metal can lids need to be pried open and pounded closed. Capsuloc’s lid simply twists open and closed.
Capsuloc requires no ring locks. That sound you don’t hear is thousands of hazmat workers no longer swearing at metal can containers.
Capsuloc is more reliable, more durable and more re-usable. With its leak-proof lid and stout construction, Capsuloc simply does its job better than metal can containers—and does it for more uses.
Capsuloc kits are 32% lighter than metal can secondary containment kits. Plus, twice as many Capsuloc kits fit on a pallet. So Capsuloc saves you money and space.

Until now, however, many packaging kits that utilize paint can-style secondary container had a small advantage—Special Permits that removed some regulatory hurdles. Now that Capsuloc has the same advantage, there’s just no reason to keep using metal cans for secondary containment.

Change to Capsuloc without changing your workflows

DOT-SP 21488 makes it possible to use Capsuloc for secondary containment instead of a paint can-style metal container, without changing your workflow to accommodate labels, placards or other considerations.

Here’s some of the regulatory relief the Special Permit allows for Capsuloc:

No hazard labels or placards required. The Special Permit authorizes use of Capsuloc (when properly assembled and closed in its UN specification packaging) for transportation in commerce of the materials listed below without hazard labels or placards.
Authorized for many hazard class 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 shipments. This authorization includes materials requiring Packing Groups I, II and III.

Authorized for Division 5.2 and toxic inhalation hazard (TIH) materials, as well as certain materials otherwise prohibited from passenger-carrying aircraft.

As always, there are many provisions, exceptions and other rules required for compliant use of the Capsuloc packaging kits. And of course it’s essential that you and your teams have the proper training to handle fully regulated hazmat. But that’s true of any packaging used to transport fully regulated Dangerous Goods. Capsuloc is now no more complex to use for secondary containment than traditional paint can containers—but it’s so much more convenient.

In other words, you can now substitute Capsuloc for paint can containers for secondary containment without disrupting your operation at all.

Reasons to switch from paint can secondary containers to Capsuloc

Since we introduced Capsuloc last year, manufacturers, shippers and 3PLS have pointed out several ways Capsuloc makes their hazmat transport operations more efficient.

Time saved opening and closing containers. Instead of wasting time with stubborn lids and ring locks, Capsuloc’s simple screw-on/screw-off lids form a leak-proof seal in seconds, saving a minute or two per shipment.
Reduced delays and costs for leaks in transit. Paint can-style secondary containers are notorious for leaking, which can lead to an expensive mess, with shipments delayed or discarded, clean-up costs, and potential penalties. Using leak-proof Capsuloc means no costly surprises.
Reduced shipping weight. Capsuloc kits weigh 32% less than paint can kits. If your secondary containment kit makes up 20% of a shipment’s total weight, using Capsuloc makes every shipment 6.4% lighter—so you can reduce shipping costs with every shipment.
Money saved from reusing containers. Capsuloc containers won’t puncture or dent, so you can reuse them multiple times (when you use a new UN fiberboard box kit and follow inspection criteria guidelines). And reusing containers is a lot more efficient than buying new ones all the time.

Ready to try Capsuloc?

Is Capsuloc a fit for your operation? Call the experts at Labelmaster to discuss your materials, your workflows and all the details that go into making the best packaging decisions.

Now that it’s been awarded DOT-SP 21488, Capsuloc is the most efficient, most versatile secondary containment system ever.

Make sure your shipments are safe and in complete compliance with a full line of solutions from Labelmaster—a full-service provider of goods and services for hazardous materials and Dangerous Goods professionals, shippers, transport operators and EH&S providers.