The transport of human or animal material intended for diagnostic or research purposes is regulated by the ADR, a UN document that specifies how such materials must be classified, packaged and transported.
Do you transport biological substances safely and legally?
The UN guidelines specify how substances must be classified and packaged for transport. According to these guidelines, biological substances classified as UN3373 category b must be packed and transported in accordance with packing instruction P650.
What does UN3373 mean?
When deciding how to prepare dangerous goods for transport, it must first be decided to which UN number the dangerous goods belong.
There are four UN numbers that are used to classify infectious or biological substances:
UN2814 - Infectious substances, dangerous to humans
UN2900 Infectious substances, dangerous only to animals
UN3291 - Clinical waste
UN3373 - Biological substances
UN3373 Medical bags
What does P650 mean?
If a biological substance has been classified as UN3373, it must be packed for transport in accordance with a set of guidelines known as P650 or packing instruction 650. This is a list of requirements for the quality and construction of packaging used for transport.
The packing instruction 650 is defined in the ADR, the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. You can find the full text here. You will find extracts from it below.
How can Versapak's medical transport bags help to comply with the guidelines?
Working closely with medical transport staff and in consultation with the Department for Transport (DfT), Versapak has developed a range of medical bags that are fully compliant with packing instruction 650 whilst being practical and user friendly.
Since the launch of the authorised range, Versapak has supplied bags to around two thirds of NHS hospitals, private clinics and hospitals.
The table below shows extracts from ADR packaging regulation P650 relating to outer packaging and explains how Versapak's medical transport bags help to fulfil the guidelines of packaging regulation 650.
Requirements of packaging instruction 650
"The packaging must be of good quality and capable of withstanding the shocks and stresses normally occurring during transport..."
Versapak medical bags are made from high-quality, weatherproof and tear-resistant material with extra strong seams. Integrated padding and reinforcements protect the contents.
Requirements of packaging instruction 650
"Packagings shall be so constructed and closed as to prevent loss of contents which may occur under normal conditions of carriage due to shock or changes in temperature, humidity or pressure."
A sturdy zip keeps the lid of the bag in place. A tamper-evident compartment can be closed with a Versapak seal - this seal prevents the bag from being opened accidentally or without authorisation.
Requirements of packaging instruction 650
"The packaging must consist of at least three components:
(a) a primary packaging
(b) a secondary packaging
(c) an outer packaging"
The medical transport bag from Versapak is the outer packaging. We also offer leak-proof secondary packaging.
Requirements of packaging instruction 650
"...whereby either the secondary packaging or the outer packaging must be rigid."
"The secondary packaging must be inserted into the outer packaging with suitable cushioning material."
"Any leakage of the contents must not lead to any impairment of the integrity of the cushioning material or the outer packaging."
Versapak medical bags have an integrated reinforcement that ensures the bags remain stable at all times. The reinforcement is padded with a soft outer material that protects the contents and increases user-friendliness. The reinforcement, padding and outer material are designed so that contact with liquids does not compromise their integrity.
Requirements of packaging instruction 650
"The licence plate shown below is required for carriage... to be attached."
"The official designation for transport "BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B" with a letter size of at least 6 mm must be indicated on the outer packaging directly next to the diamond-shaped label."
An A5 viewing window on the side of the bag is printed with the UN3373 logo. Within the viewing window, a white card forms a contrasting background and is printed with the corresponding text.
Requirements of packaging instruction 650
"At least one of the surfaces of the outer packaging must have the minimum dimensions of 100 mm x 100 mm."
The smallest transport bag for biological substances from Versapak measures 305 x 170 x 305 mm.
Requirements of packaging instruction 650
"The complete package shall be capable of passing the drop test of subsection 6.3.5.3 in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 6.3.5.2 at a drop height of 1.2 metres."
Versapak's biological transport bag has been independently tested and certified to pass a drop test from a height of 1.2 metres in accordance with these regulations.
Click here to view the test results.
Primary, inner and outer packaging
A medical transport bag from Versapak is the outer packaging for biological substances in accordance with UN3373. Primary packaging is required and is normally specified by the laboratory. Versapak supplies small (6 litre), medium (18 litre) and large (35 litre) medical transport bags to meet the requirements of most laboratories and medical facilities. Leak-proof inserts complement the inner packaging and are available in small, medium and large sizes to fit the transport bag. The inserts are fitted with fixing clips to prevent samples from entering the outer packaging when used with our absorbent material.
Show all approved UN3373 transport bags from Versapak:
UN3373 Medical bags
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