Marking Requirements for Items

TM 55-315

(3) Be displayed on a background of sharply contrasting color.

(4) Be unobscured by labels or attachments.

(5) Be located away from any other marking (such as advertising) that could substantially reduce its

effectiveness.

k. Additional shipping information inconsistent with regulations may be shown on a container, provided that no such

label or marking shall be of such a design, form, or size that it may be confused with prescribed labels or markings.

5-4. Marking Requirements for Items

Shipped by the US Postal Service For the marking requirements for packages of radioactive materials shipped by the

USPS, see chapter 14.

5-5. General Labeling Rules (49 CFR 172.400 through 172.450)

a. Shippers must furnish and attach labels. Labels should be applied to that part of the package bearing consignee's

name and address.

b. Labels must not be applied to packages that are not subject to federal regulations or are specifically exempt.

c. Labels must conform to DOT standards as to size, printing, and color. Shippers must not use labels that, by their

size, shape, and color, may be confused with standard DOT labels.

d. An EMPTY label (SF 417) (49 CFR 172. 450) must be applied to empty containers on which the old label has not

been removed, obliterated, or destroyed. See paragraph 3-12 for additional requirements.

5-6. Application of Labels for Radioactive Materials (AR 700-64, 49 CFR 172.400 through 172.450, and 49 CFR

173.44)

a. Army packages containing radioactive material must be marked and labeled according to MILSTD-129J. Each

package of radioactive material (unless excepted from labeling according to 49 CFR 173. 421 through 174. 425) must

be labeled as provided in this chapter.

b. The proper label to affix to a package of radioactive material is based on the radiation level at the surface of the

package, the transport index (para 2-46); and if appropriate, the fissile characteristics of the package. The proper

category of label shall be determined according to table 5-1. The label to be applied shall be the highest category

required for any of the three determining conditions for the package. Radioactive White-I is the lowest category and

Radioactive Yellow-III is the highest. For example, a package with a transport index of 0. 8, a maximum surface

radiation level of 60 millirems per hour, and no fissile material must bear a Radioactive Yellow-III label.

c. Each package containing a radioactive material that also meets the definition of one or more additional hazards

must be labeled as a radioactive material and for each additional hazard.

d. Each package required to be labeled with a "Radioactive" label must have two of these labels, affixed to opposite

sides of the package (excluding the bottom). (See 49 CFR 172. 406(e)(3) for freight container label requirements.)

e. The following applicable items of information must be printed legibly in the blank spaces on the "Radioactive"

label using a durable, weatherresistant means of marking:

(1) Contents. The name of the radionuclides as taken from the listing of radionuclides in table 2-2. For mixtures

of radionuclides, the most restrictive radionuclide on the basis of radiotoxicity must be listed as label space allows.

(2) Activity. Units shall be expressed in appropriate curies (Ci), millicuries (mCi), 'or microcuries (uCi).

Abbreviations are authorized. For a fissile material, the weight, in grams or kilograms, of the fissile radioisotope also

may be inserted.

(3) Transport Index. See paragraph 2-46 for description.

Table 5-1. Label Categories for Radioactive Materials Packages

Radiation level at

Transport

package surface

Label

index (T.I.)

(RL)

Fissile criteria

category*

N/A

RL < 0.5 millirem per hour (mrem/h)

Fissile Class I only, no Fissile Class II or III White-I

T.I. < 1.0

0.5 mrem/h < RL < 50 mrem/h

Fissile Class I, Fissle Class II, with T.I. < Yellow-II

1.0 no Fissile Class III

Fissile Class II with 1.0 < T.I., Fissile Class Yellow-III

1.0 < T. I.

50 mrem/h RL

III

*Any package containing a " ighway route controlled quantity"(49 CFR 173.403) must be labeled Radioactive

Yellow-III

5-2