It has come to our attention that there has been an influx of non-approved ISO cylinders coming into Canada. CSA B342-2018, a standard enforced by Transport Canada, sets out the requirements for the selection, use, handling, and filling of UN pressure receptacles (i.e., cylinders) for the transportation of dangerous goods included in Class 2, gases.

The standard is referenced in the TDG regulations, Section 5.10 Means of Containment for Class 2, Gases, which specifies that for the transportation of dangerous goods in Class 2 by any mode, means of containment in accordance with CSA B342 are permitted.

To determine whether an ISO cylinder is acceptable for use Transport Canada states the following on their website:

CSA B342 only authorizes the use of UN pressure receptacles that have been manufactured in accordance with CSA B341 and marked with the letters “CAN”, depicting Canada as the country of approval or UN pressure receptacles that have been manufactured in accordance with 49 CFR and marked with the letters “USA” as the country of approval. Canada and the USA mutually recognize the regulatory approvals for UN pressure receptacles. This means that UN pressure receptacles marked with “CAN” or “USA” as the country of approval can be used seamlessly and interchangeably in the USA and Canada.

Any ISO cylinders that do not have the UN marking and either “CAN” or “USA” as the country
of approval are not permitted for use in Canada at all. They cannot be filled, transported nor requalified. Know what you are buying to ensure that you are compliant!

The following is a diagram of UN/ISO cylinder markings:

In the non-approved cylinders that have been seen in the Canadian market it is clearly evident that they are not conforming to the standards for the following reasons:

• They do not have a UN mark prior to the ISO9809-3 designation. (The diagram above shows ISO9809-1, however the non-approved cylinders found are marked ISO9809-3.)
• They do not have a Country of Approval Stamp mark with either “CAN” or “USA”.
• They do not have an inspection stamp from an independent certification body.