General Requirements - P.I. 602 - for UN 2814 and UN 2900.

Shippers of infectious substances must comply with these Regulations and must ensure that packages are prepared in such a manner that they arrive at their destination in good condition and present no hazard to persons or animals during transport.

The packagings must include:

1. inner packagings, comprising of:
   • watertight primary receptacle(s)
   • watertight secondary packaging;
   • other than for solid infectious substances, absorbent material in sufficient quantity to absorb the entire contents must be placed between the primary receptacles and the secondary packaging; if multiple fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they must be either individually wrapped or separated so as to prevent contact between them;
2. an itemized list of contents, enclosed between the secondary packaging and the outer packaging; and
3. a rigid outer packaging of adequate strength for its capacity, weight and intended use. The smallest external dimension must be not less than 100mm.

Whatever the intended temperature of the consignment, the primary receptacle or the secondary packaging must be capable of withstanding, without leakage, an internal pressure producing a pressure differential of not less than 95kPa and temperature in the range of -40ºC to 55ºC.

NB. Inner packagings containing infectious substances must not be consolidated with inner packaging containing unrelated types of goods. All packages containing infectious substances must be marked durably and legibly on the outside of the package with the NAME and TELEPHONE NUMBER OF A PERSON RESPONSIBLE.

General Requirements - P.I. 650 - for UN 3373

The packagings must be of good quality, strong enough to withstand the shocks and loadings normally encountered during transport. Packagings must be constructed and closed so as to prevent any loss of contents that might be caused under normal conditions of transport, by vibration, or by changes in temperature, humidity or pressure.

The packaging must consist of three components:

1. a primary receptacle(s)
2. a secondary packaging; and
3. a rigid outer packaging.

Primary receptacles must be packed in secondary packagings in such a way that, under normal conditions of transport, they cannot break, be punctured or leak their contents into the secondary packaging. Secondary packagings must be secured in outer packagings with suitable cushioning material. Any leakage of the contents must not compromise the integrity of the cushioning material or of the outer packaging.

Packages must be prepared as follows:

(a) For liquid substances:

• The primary receptacle(s) must be leak proof and must not contain more than 1 litre;
• The secondary packaging must be leak proof;
• If multiple fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they must be either individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them
• Absorbent material must be placed between the primary receptacle and the secondary packaging. The absorbent material must be in sufficient quantity to absorb the entire contents of the primary receptacle(s) so that any release of the liquid substance will not compromise the integrity of the cushioning material or of the outer packaging;
• The primary receptacle or the secondary packaging must be capable of withstanding, without leakage, an internal pressure of 95kPa and be in the range of -40ºC to 55ºC
• The outer packaging must not contain more than 4 litres. This quantity excludes ice, dry ice or liquid nitrogen when used to keep specimens cold.
• An itemized list of contents must be enclosed between the secondary packaging and the outer packaging.
• At least one surface of the outer packaging must have a minimum dimension of 100mm x 100mm.

For transport the mark UN3373 (set in a diamond shape) must be displayed on the external surface of the outer packaging on a background of contrasting colour and must be clearly visible and legible. The proper shipping name “Biological Substance, Category B” must be marked on the outer packaging adjacent to the diamond-shaped mark.