This part of the site provides an overview of the transport requirements for materials containing, or contaminated with, blood-borne viruses. Show
In the context of this guidance, the most likely materials presenting a risk of infection from blood-borne viruses, which will be subject to transport include:
LegislationBiological agents, or materials that contain or may contain them, are allocated to UN Division 6.2 - infectious substances. Division 6.2 includes biological products, cultures, specimens, genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs), genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and medical/clinical waste. There are 4 steps involved in the safe transport of infectious material. These are:
ClassificationThe transportation of infectious substances is divided into the following categories:
Samples of materials such as blood, tissue, excreta, secreta, etc collected from humans or animals are considered, as a minimum, category B infectious substances. Clinical or medical waste that contains category B infectious substances (with the exception of cultures), or that only has a low probability of containing infectious substances, is assigned to UN 3291. PackagingTransport of infectious substances requires a basic triple packaging system. It consists of three layers as follows:
Each completed package is normally required to be marked, labelled and accompanied with appropriate shipping documents (as applicable). Specific details on the packaging requirements and specifications are available from the Department for Transport. LabellingPackages containing infectious substances should be marked with:
TransportIn general, category B samples that are sent using UN 3373 can normally be sent via the postal service. However, as a proportion of the post in the UK will travel by air at some point in its journey, the packaging will need to comply with the ICAO standards. Similarly, some courier companies will accept only category B infectious samples, hence it may be necessary to use a different company for category A infectious samples. You should always discuss your transport requirements with your chosen carrier. Further informationThe Department for Transport sets out the legal requirements and provides specific detailed guidance on the classification, packaging, labelling and transport of infectious substances, in their publication Transport of Infectious Substances. Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 3 Hazardous Materials > 34 Mailability by Hazard Class > 346 Toxic Substances and Infectious Substances(Hazard Class 6) 346 Toxic Substances and Infectious Substances (Hazard Class 6)346.1 DefinitionsHazard Class 6 consists of two divisions:
346.11 Division 6.1The following terms are used in the standards for Division 6.1 materials:
346.12 Division 6.2, Infectious SubstancesDivision 6.2 materials include infectious substances, biological products, regulated medical waste, sharps medical waste, used health care products, and forensic materials. Division 6.2 materials are not permitted in international mail or domestic mail, except when they are intended for medical or veterinary use, research, or laboratory certification related to the public health; and only when such materials are properly prepared for mailing to withstand shocks, pressure changes, and other conditions related to ordinary handling in transit. Unless otherwise noted, all mailable Division 6.2 materials must meet the mail preparation requirements for air transportation. The following terms are used in the standards for Division 6.2 materials:
Exhibit 346.12a2 Mailpiece Symbol and Marking for Mailpieces Containing Biological Substance, Category B Substances
346.2 Mailability346.21 General346.211 Division 6.1, Toxic SubstancesThe following conditions apply:
346.22 Nonmailable Class 6 MaterialsWhen hazardous materials that are nonmailable under 346.2 are found in the mailstream, the procedures in POM 139.117 must be followed if the materials present an immediate threat to persons or property.The procedures in POM 139.118 are followed when there is no immediate threat to persons or property. 346.221 Division 6.1, Toxic SubstancesThe following Division 6.1 materials are nonmailable:
The following Division 6.2 materials are nonmailable:
346.23 Mailable Class 6 MaterialsIn addition to the mailable types of Division 6.1 and 6.2 materials cited in 346.21, the following materials are permitted to be mailed only within the conditions noted. 346.231 Division 6.1, Toxic Substances
Liquids and solids such as pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides that are not regulated as hazardous materials under 49 CFR are mailable subject to Postal Service quantity restrictions that are based on the toxicity of the material.
Infectious substances, biological products, cultures and stocks, exempt human or animal specimens, patient specimens, regulated medical waste, sharps medical waste, toxins, and used health care products are permitted to be mailed within specific quantity limits and packaging conditions specified in 346.3. 346.234 Nonregulated MaterialsThe following materials are not subject to regulation as Division 6.2 hazardous materials and are mailable when the packaging requirements specified in Packaging Instruction 6G in Appendix C are met:
346.3 Packaging, Marking, Labeling, and Documentation346.31 Division 6.1, Toxic SubstancesMailable toxic substances must be prepared as follows:
346.32 Division 6.2, Infectious SubstancesThe proper packaging, marking, labeling, and documentation for mailable Division 6.2 materials are described in the following sections. 346.321 Category B Infectious SubstancesNote: See Packaging Instruction 6C in Appendix C. Regulated medical waste and sharps medical waste known or suspected to contain a Category A infectious substance is not mailable. A material that is classified as a Category B infectious substance and that meets the definition in 346.12a2 must be triple-packaged, meeting the packaging requirements in 49 CFR 173.199, and sent with First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express service. Each primary receptacle containing a liquid must be leakproof and surrounded by absorbent material sufficient to protect the primary receptacle and absorb the total amount of liquid should the primary receptacle leak or break. Each primary receptacle containing a solid must be siftproof. Secondary containers for liquids must be leakproof. Secondary containers for solids must be siftproof. The primary and secondary packaging must be enclosed in a rigid outer shipping container. A single primary receptacle must not contain more than 1 liter (34 ounces) of a liquid specimen or 4 kg (8.8 pounds) of a solid specimen. Two or more primary receptacles whose combined volume does not exceed 4 liters (1 gallon) for liquids or 4 kg (8.8 pounds) for solids may be enclosed in a single secondary container. In addition:
Exhibit 346.321 International Biohazard Symbol 346.322 Sharps Waste and Other Mailable Regulated Medical WasteNote: See Packaging Instructions 6D in Appendix C. Regulated medical waste and sharps medical waste known or suspected to contain a Category A infectious substance is not mailable. Regulated medical waste and sharps medical waste as defined in 346.12f and 346.12g and containing materials classified as Category B infectious substances must be marked UN3291 and are permitted for mailing only using merchandise return service (see DMM 505.3) with First-Class Mail or Priority Mail service, subject to the following requirements:
Place the label on the top or on a side of the container. Exhibit 346.322c3 Shipping Paper for Regulated Medical Waste and Sharps Waste Containers
Packages tested for approval as medical professional packages may not be tested using pre-primary containers that are currently or have previously been approved as Postal Service primary containers. In addition, test reports must identify by brand name the pre-primary containers that were used during testing. Note: See Packaging Instruction 6E in Appendix C. A used health care product known or reasonably suspected to contain a Category A material is nonmailable. A used health care product not suspected to contain an infectious material, or that is known or suspected to contain a Category B infectious substance and is being returned to the manufacturer or manufacturer’s designee is mailable with First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express service subject to the following packaging requirements:
Note: See Packaging Instruction 6F in Appendix C. Forensic material containing a biological material, such as tissue, body fluid, excreta, or secreta, and sent on behalf of a federal, state, local, or Indian tribal government agency must be packaged under 346.325 when it is not known or suspected to contain a Category A or Category B infectious substance. Forensic material known or suspected to contain a Category A infectious substance is nonmailable. Forensic material known or suspected to contain a Category B infectious substance as identified in 346.321 is mailable with First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Priority Mail Express service when triple-packaged in a primary receptacle, secondary container, and a rigid outer shipping container as follows:
Note: See Packaging Instruction 6G in Appendix C. Nonregulated materials as defined in 346.234 are not subject to regulation as hazardous materials but must be properly packaged when presented for mailing. Regulated medical waste and sharps medical waste must be packaged and mailed under 346.322, and used health care products must be packaged and mailed under 346.323. Exempt human and animal specimens must be packaged under 346.326. Nonregulated materials are mailable as Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, or USPS Retail Ground. Such materials must be held within a securely sealed primary receptacle. The primary receptacle must be surrounded by sufficient absorbent material (for liquids) and cushioning material to protect the primary receptacle from breakage. The absorbent material must be capable of taking up the entire liquid contents of the primary receptacle in case of leakage. Either the primary receptacle or the inner packaging must be marked with the international biohazard symbol shown in Exhibit 346.321. The primary receptacle and the absorbent and cushioning material must be snugly enclosed in a rigid outer shipping container that is securely sealed. A shipping paper and a content marking on the outer shipping container are not required. Nonregulated material specimens and biological products are subject to the following packaging standards:
Note: See Packaging Instruction 6H in Appendix C. Exempt human or animal specimens as defined in 346.12d are not subject to regulation as hazardous materials but when presented for mailing must be triple-packaged in leakproof (for liquids) or siftproof (for solids) primary receptacles. Sufficient cushioning and absorbent materials must surround each primary receptacle containing liquid. Secondary containers for liquids must be leakproof. Secondary containers for solids must be siftproof. The primary and secondary packaging must be enclosed in a rigid outer shipping container. A single primary receptacle must not contain more than 500 ml of a liquid specimen or 500 grams of a solid specimen. Two or more primary receptacles whose combined volume does not exceed 500 ml (for liquids) or 500 grams (for solids) may be enclosed in a single secondary container. The secondary container cannot serve as the outer shipping container. The secondary container must be marked with the international biohazard symbol shown in Exhibit 346.321. The secondary container must be securely and snugly enclosed in a fiberboard box or container of equivalent strength that serves as the outer shipping container. A shipping paper is not required. The outer shipping container must be marked on the address side with the words “Exempt human specimen” or “Exempt animal specimen,” as appropriate. In addition, at least one surface of the outer packaging must have a minimum dimension of 3.9 inches by 3.9 inches (100 mm by 100 mm). Exempt human and animal specimens are mailable as Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, or USPS Retail Ground. 346.327 Proper Packaging of Mailable MaterialsAll mailable materials as identified in 346.212 must be properly packaged. Exhibit 346.327 lists the specific reverence in 346 under which each type of mailable material must be packaged. Exhibit 346.327 Packaging References for Mailable Materials, Infectious Substances (Hazard Class 6, Division 6.2)
1 nm = Nonmailable. 2 Toxin means a Division 6.1 material from a plant, animal, or bacterial source. A toxin containing an infectious substance or a toxin contained in an infectious substance must be classified as Division 6.2; described as an infectious substance; and assigned to UN2814, UN2900, or UN3373, as appropriate. A Division 6.1 toxin that can qualify as Limited Quantity surface is permitted when packaged in accordance with 346.231 or 346.31. 346.4 Damaged ParcelsIf a mailpiece containing a Class 6 material is found to be damaged or leaking during Postal Service handling, the incident must be reported in accordance with POM 139.117 and 139.118 and Handbook EL-812, Hazardous Materials and Spill Response (in Part VII, “Response to Hazardous Material Incidents and Emergencies,” see the section titled “Hazardous Materials Incident Reports”),as appropriate. The local Postal Service safety officer (or designee) must immediately initiate the spill response procedures in Handbook EL-812. For spills involving infectious substances (etiologic agents), the following containment and cleanup steps must also be followed:
What hazard class or division is used for infectious substances?Category A classifies an infectious substance as in a form capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure to it occurs.
What is the category code of the infectious substances affecting animals?Category A infectious substances have two shipping names: “Infectious substances, affecting humans” (UN 2814) or “Infectious substances, affecting animals” (UN 2900).
What is biological substance category A?Category A: an infectious substance which is carried in a form that, when exposure to it occurs, is capable of causing permanent disability, life threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals.
What packing instructions should be used to ship infectious substances affecting humans and animals?Label outer packaging with: Infectious substance (diamond shaped label) Proper shipping name and UN 2814 certification mark. Shipper and consignee identification (name, address, and telephone)
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