ISO/DIS 22927

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ISO/DIS 22927
ISO/TC 298 Secretariat: SAC
Voting begins on: Voting terminates on:
2020-07-02 2020-09-24
Rare earth — Packaging and labelling
ICS: 13.030.30
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENT AND APPROVAL. IT IS
THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY
NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD UNTIL PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
Reference number
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO/DIS 22927:2020(E)
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. ISO 2020
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/DIS 22927:2020(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2020

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may

be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting

on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address

Foreword ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................iv

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v

1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Normative references ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

3 Terms and definitions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

4 Packaging ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

4.1 General principles of packaging ............................................................................................................................................... 2

4.2 Requirement of packaging ............................................................................................................................................................ 3

4.2.1 Inner (and intermediate) packaging .................. ............................................................................................. 3

4.2.2 Outer packaging ................................................................................................................................................................ 3

4.3 Requirement of packaging for rare earth product ................................................................................................... 4

4.3.1 Rare earth ore ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4

4.3.2 Rare earth concentrate ............................................................................................................................................... 4

4.3.3 Rare earth compound .................................................................................................................................................. 4

4.3.4 Rare earth metal and alloy ...................................................................................................................................... 5

5 Labelling ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6

5.1 General principles of labelling ................................................................................................................................................... 6

5.2 Product information ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7

5.3 Requirements for labelling of hazardous materials ................................................................................................ 7

5.3.1 Cerium metal and cerium contained inflammable alloys ............................................................. 7

5.3.2 Metals and alloys in the form of powder ..................................................................................................... 7

5.3.3 Products containing radioactive elements ................................................................................................ 7

5.4 Format of label on packages ........................................................................................................................................................ 7

5.4.1 Product information ..................................................................................................................................................... 7

5.4.2 Language ................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

5.4.3 Quality of the label ......................................................................................................................................................... 8

5.4.4 Format of the label ......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards

bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out

through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical

committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International

organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.

ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are

described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the

different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the

editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of

patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of

any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not

For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and

expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the

World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A

The purpose of this standard is to ensure quality assurance, enhanced safety and pollution prevention

Rare earth products (ores, concentrates, compounds, metals and alloys) have some unique chemical

and physical properties. For example, some rare earth products may readily react with O , CO , and

moisture. Also, some rare earth products, such as monazite, may emit radiation because they contain

thorium and uranium. Under certain circumstances, these features may result in accidents, or create

hazards (such as an explosion, fire, down-grading the quality of products, radiation exposure, etc.)

during transportation and storage. Indeed, several such incidents have been reported and emphasize

the possibility of harm to human health, pollution to the environment, and a reduction in product

quality. Such problems are likely to have global effects because rare earth products are transported

It is necessary to package rare earth products properly. It is also essential to share clearly defined

information, in a readily accessible format, concerning their physical properties and traceability

during global trade. This document provides guidelines that will ensure (1) proper packaging and (2)

appropriate labelling of rare earth products. Proper packaging can prevent rare earth products from

losing their quality and causing accidents resulting from unwanted chemical reactions. Appropriate

labelling with precise information on the properties, traceability, and the ways of handling the product

can also reduce the risk of quality degradation and accidents. Compliance with this document will

contribute to ensuring quality, guaranteeing safety and preventing environmental pollution during the

It should be noted that there are numerous existing regulations concerning the packaging, labelling,

and shipment of materials and these must be recognized and complied with as appropriate. Depending

— United Nations 2017 “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)”

— International Atomic Energy Agency, 2012 “Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive

— International Air Transport Association (IATA), 2019 “Dangerous Goods Regulations”

Furthermore, local regulations concerning shipments, transport and packaging, beyond those listed

Many jurisdictions require that a Material Safety Data Sheet (“MSDS”) accompany any shipment and

This document specifies requirements for packaging and labelling of rare earth ores, concentrates,

compounds, metals and alloys that are intended for sale or free distribution. It defines requirements

for the performance, the structure of packaging and specifies the information that the labelling shall

include. These requirements will ensure quality assurance, enhance safety, and prevent environmental

This document includes requirements for packaging and labelling during transactions between

companies. Packaging by companies during storage in their own plant is not covered, but it is

recommended that they follow this standard for the purpose of quality assurance, and enhanced safety.

The method of labelling defined in this standard enhances safety by indicating properties of rare earth

products and ensures appropriate management of the product by indicating the identity of suppliers.

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

constitutes the requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For

undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 15750-1:2002, Packaging — Steel drums — Part 1: Removable head (open head) drums with a minimum

ISO 15750-2:2002, Packaging — Steel drums — Part 2: Non-removable head (tight head) drums with a

ISO 15750-3:2002, Packaging — Steel drums — Part 3: Inserted flange-type closure systems

ISO 21898:2004, Packaging — Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) for non-dangerous goods

ISO 7010:2011, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Registered safety signs

ISO/WD 22444-1 Rare earth — Terms and definitions - minerals, oxides and other compounds

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 21067-1, ISO/WD 22444-1,

company that produces and provides rare earth ores, concentrates, compounds, metals, alloys or

packaging placed between the inner packaging and outer packaging if deemed necessary

container designed to contain inner or intermediate packaging including any protective materials

means that are applied purposely to shield/protect items/products from any physical or chemical harm

gas used in packaging, for example, argon or nitrogen, that will displace oxygen and water vapour and

will not react with the package contents and therefore prevent product degradation.

oil or other liquid used as coating on, or to totally submerge, a product to isolate it from air and ensure

minimum independent packaging unit for sales and delivery, where items/products cannot be broken up.

Packaging for rare earth products should prevent the products from being accidentally dispersed or

otherwise discharged into the environment and from absorbing moisture or gases. Solid rare earth

metals and compounds can react with water, water vapour and other gases, causing damage to the

quality of products, exothermic reaction and ignition. For these reasons, a sealed package should be

used to contain solid rare earth products. Rare earth liquid products can flow out of the packaging in

case of a package losing its integrity, possibly causing damage to products, workers and surroundings.

For these reasons, durable packaging should be used. This document specifies requirements for