Packaging and Labelling Requirements for Category B Infectious Substances

Packaging and Labelling Requirements for Category B Infectious Substances Assigned to UN 3373 Category B infectious substances (UN 3373) are classified as being potentially harmful to humans or animals and must be packed in accordance with ADR (International carriage of dangerous goods by road) packing instruction PI 650 for road transport and IATA packing instruction PI 650 for air transport. Category B infectious substance must be packaged using appropriate UN transport packaging systems, commonly known as a ‘triple packaging system’. 1) The samples must be contained in suitable robust and leak proof primary containers (e.g. Screw cap tube). 2) The primary container should be placed inside a robust and leak proof secondary container (e.g. A sealed bio bag) so that the contents do not leak during transport. Such bags must be sealed/secured. Suitable absorbent material (e.g. blue roll) should be placed inside the bag. 3) The bag should then be placed inside the tertiary package (e.g. fibreboard box). All material should be secured to prevent movement. Outside (Tertiary) packaging must have the appropriate markings and labels on the outer container. Labels must be durable and legible and clearly visible on the outside of the packaging. The package must be of such a size that there is adequate space to fix all the required markings and labels. Labels must be located on the same surface of the package affixed adjacent to the consignor's or consignee's address. The shipper (sender) and the Consignee (RDSVS Pathology) must be clearly marked on the outside of the package. Contact numbers must also be provided. Sept 18 PACKING INSTRUCTIONS The package must be marked with the following UN number and proper shipping name. UN 3373 BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B (Figure 1 contains UN number and classification) The hazard warning label for category B infectious substances shown below (Figure 1) must be affixed to the package. The scientific or technical name of the microorganism must not appear on the package but should be supplied in the accompanying transport documentation (For example in printed paperwork in a safe clean location inside the outer package). Above: Figure 1 Above: Figure 2 Packages containing liquids must display suitable package orientation labels (Figure 2). Such liquids must be packaged in a way to prevent leakage. The labels must be affixed or pre-printed on at least two opposite sides to show the proper orientation for the primary containers to be in the upright position. Note that orientation arrows are not required on packages containing class 6.2 infectious substances in primary receptacles of not more than 50ml although they may be used. Certain packages traveling by air are only suitable for cargo aircraft. Please check with operators if transport is by air. In such circumstances The Cargo Aircraft Only label must be used if the package is permitted only on cargo aircraft (Figure 3). The Cargo Aircraft Only label must be affixed on the same surface of the package as the hazard label. Sept 18 Below: Figure 3 Above: Figure 4. There are no limits on the quantity of materials contained within either a primary container or the total package for road transport. This is in contrast to air transport on both passenger and cargo aircraft where primary containers must not exceed 1 litre and packages must not contain more than 4 litres for liquids, and outer packaging must not contain more than 4Kg for solids. There is an exception to this rule in air transport for body parts, organs or whole bodies. If an overpack (for example two Category B packages in one larger box) is used to contain several packages then it must be marked as in Figure 4. The markings and labels which are on the internal packages must also be repeated on the outside of the overpack (e.g. Category B infectious substances). H&S department RDSVS Cat B Packaging Summary (V1) Sept 18