UN3373 P650 Guidelines for Packing and Transporting Biological Specimens by Road

The packaging shall be of good quality, strong enough to withstand the shocks and loadings normally encountered during transport, including transshipment. It should be transported between vehicles or containers and between vehicles or containers and the warehouse as a pallet or any removal from the package for subsequent manual or mechanical handling. The packaging should be constructed and closed in such a way as to prevent any loss of contents which may be caused by vibration or changes in temperature, humidity or pressure under normal conditions of transport.

Packaging; will consist of three components: a primary container, a secondary packaging and an outer packaging.

Primary containers shall be packed in secondary packaging in such a way that they will not be broken, punctured or their contents leaked into the secondary packaging under normal conditions of transport. The secondary packaging will be fixed in the outer packaging with suitable cushioning material. Any leakage of contents will not compromise the integrity of the sealant or the outer packaging.

For carriage, it shall be displayed on the outer surface of the outer packaging on a contrasting color background and shall be clearly visible and legible. The width of the line must be at least 2 mm; letters and numbers shall be at least 6 mm high.

For Liquids:

• Primary receptacles shall be sealed,
• Secondary packaging shall be sealed,
• If multiple fragile primary containers are placed in a single secondary packaging, they will either be individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them.
• Absorbent material shall be placed between the primary container(s) and the secondary packaging. The absorbent material shall be sufficient to absorb the entire contents of the primary receptacle(s) such that any release of liquid does not compromise the integrity of the filling material or the outer packaging;
• The primary receptacle or secondary packaging must be able to withstand an internal pressure of 95 kPa (0,95 bar) without leakage.

For Solids:

• Primary containers must be sealed,
• The secondary packaging shall be sealed,
• If multiple fragile primary containers are placed in a single secondary packaging, they will either be individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them.

Refrigerated or Frozen Samples: (Ice, dry ice and liquid nitrogen)

• When using dry ice or liquid nitrogen to keep samples cold, all applicable ADR requirements must be met. When used, ice or dry ice should be placed outside the secondary packaging or inside the outer packaging or an overpack. Internal supports shall be provided to fix the secondary packaging in its original position after the ice or dry ice has dispersed. If ice is used, the outer packaging or overpack shall be sealed. If carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) is used, the packaging should be designed and constructed to allow the release of carbon dioxide gas to avoid a build-up of pressure that could rupture the package and the packaging (outer packaging or overpack). ) will be marked as “Carbon dioxide, solid” or “Dry ice”.
• The primary container and secondary packaging must maintain their integrity at the temperature of the refrigerant used, as well as at the temperatures and pressures that may arise if cooling is lost.

Packages assigned to UN 3373 and packed and marked in accordance with this packing instruction are not subject to any other requirements in ADR. Clear instructions for filling and closing such packages will be provided by the packaging manufacturers and then distributed to the consignor or the person who prepared the package (for example, the patient) to ensure that the package has been properly prepared for transport.

If any substance has leaked and spilled into a vehicle or container, it cannot be reused without being thoroughly cleaned and, if necessary, disinfected or decontaminated. Other goods and items transported in the same vehicle or container will be inspected for possible contamination.