What is the primary purpose of a specification plate on a transport container?

• A. To identify the container's design and capacity
• B. To display the shipping company's logo
• C. To show the exact hazardous material inside
• D. To indicate the last inspection date

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the specification plate provides the container’s design and capacity information, so handlers can quickly verify the container is appropriate for the hazardous material and within regulatory limits. This plate shows the design type (often the UN specification) and the container’s capacity (and sometimes weight limits), which tell you what the container was built to hold and how much it can safely carry. Having this data lets you confirm compatibility with the material’s hazard class, packaging group, and required loading, preventing overloading or using an unsuitable container. It isn’t meant to display the shipping company’s logo or reveal the exact substance inside, and while inspection or test dates may be recorded elsewhere, the primary purpose of the plate is to identify the container’s design and capacity.