Container inspection services and certification scheme
Keeping your containers moving
ISO, offshore and tank container services
With over 50 years of experience, LRQA offers a full range of services to the container industry, including all ISO, offshore and tank container types for both new construction and in-service. From design to manufacturing, and inspection to certification, we keep containers moving, no matter where they’re going or what they’re transporting.
LRQA has also been involved in making standards for container construction, with millions of containers around the globe carrying the LRQA Container Quality Scheme (LRQA-CQS) approval mark.
Our container services
LRQA Container Quality Scheme
The LRQA-CQS provides an easy, cost-effective method that makes sure your containers meet all applicable standards and regulations.
Globally recognised accreditations
LRQA holds a range of accreditations that enable the delivery of services in line with global and national schemes, codes, standards and regulations including container certification.
Compliance and certification services
From EU Directives and National Regulations to international codes and standards, such as container certification, LRQA offers a wide range of services that support your compliance journey.
Why work with us?
Global reach, local insight
LRQA offers specialist inspection & assurance services in over 80 countries, including container certification, helping clients in every sector. Our team of over 1,500 inspection experts utilises extensive local sector knowledge to help thousands of clients safely and sustainably establish best practices.
Consistent approach
We work with you, to gain a comprehensive understanding of your business including your container needs. Using our broad expertise and continued support, we ensure that your suppliers, equipment, processes, and projects perform in line with expectations and comply with relevant laws, regulations, and best practices.
Flexible delivery
In many cases, our services can be delivered on-site or remotely using safe and secure technology. If you opt for our remote delivery methods, you’ll receive the same high-quality service with several added benefits, including flexibility, fast delivery and access to global expertise.
Total assurance
We’ve led the way in shaping our industry and continue to expand our services and expertise by collaborating with clients, acquiring businesses, and forming new partnerships. The result is a unique and connected portfolio of services – including container certification - that can help you ensure complete product integrity.
ISO container certification
Our team of experts inspect and certify ISO containers according to international regulations.
ISO containers are required to be inspected before they are put into service, within five years of construction and after that should be inspected no more than 30 months later. This common set of safety regulations is set out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the Convention for Safe Containers (CSC).
Offshore container
As a recognised certification body by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), we can provide full life-cycle certification services for offshore containers. Giving you confidence that your offshore container is reliable and safe.
What’s the regulation?
Manufacturers of offshore containers must design, build, and test their products according to guidelines set out by the IMO. To meet the regulation, manufacturers can use two different standards, including ISO 10855 and "Offshore containers and associated lifting sets."
Guide to understanding offshore container certification
Download our free guide to help manufacturers, sellers and owners figure out what they need to look for in an offshore container.
Tank container certification
Tank containers often carry dangerous gases and liquids and have many types including road tanks, swap tanks, offshore tanks and modified and refurbished tanks. Our team of experts can help you ensure your tank containers are safe, no matter what the type.
There are several codes and regulations that apply to their design and use around the world including:
- ADR – for transportation by road
- RID – for transportation by rail
- IMDG – for transportation by sea
- EN283/4 – for swap tank container framework
- USDoT (49 CFR) – for transport by road and rail in the US
- CSS and ISO 1496 – for tank container framework
- Pressure vessel design codes (EU Pressure Equipment Directive, ASME)
- TC Impact Approved – testing for use on Canadian railroads
- UIC – registration for use on European railways
Supply chain container inspection programme
Organisations who are sourcing containers from overseas want to make sure their containers will arrive exactly how they're ordered. Through our supply chain container inspection programme, you can make sure that your containers meet your specifications in areas such as:
- Construction materials
- Paintwork and markings
- Dimensions (random checks)
- General finish, welding, paintwork (including random thickness checks), floors decals, identification plates
Even if you're not using LRQA for your certification, we can help you design a programme to meet your company's needs and arrange for the inspection wherever the containers are being manufactured.
All our supply chain container inspection programmes come with inspection reports issued for all units, giving detailed results against the inspection criteria.
LRQA Container Quality Scheme (LRQA-CQS)
The LRQA Container Quality Scheme (LRQA-CQS) makes sure your containers meet the correct regulations, so you can use them around the world.
We've been involved in the creation of standards for containers since the early days of global shipping. The LRQA Container Quality Scheme (LRQA-CQS) is a mark of quality for any container, showing it meets the correct standards and regulations.
The goal of LRQA Container Quality Scheme (LRQA-CQS) is to present container design, inspection and certification requirements in a clear and concise set of rules for both LRQA and its clients. It covers the three main types of intermodal equipment for both new construction and in-service inspection:
- CSC/ISO/Intermodal Containers
- Offshore containers and equipment
- Tanks for the transport of dangerous goods
Through the LRQA Container Quality Scheme (LRQA-CQS), we can provide assurance that equipment inspected according to its procedures and rules is safe and certified correctly.
