Links: PI 602, PI 650, PI 913, PI 904

IATA PACKING INSTRUCTION 602 -2001

STATE VARIATIONS: AUG-03,CAG-04, USG-13, VUG-02

OPERATOR VARIATIONS: AF-04, AS-02/08, CI-01, CO-07/08, CS-07,FX-09, SW-01,US-O8

The General Packing Requirements of Subsection 5.0.2 must also be met.

General Requirements

Shippers of Infectious substances must comply with these Regulations and must ensure that shipments are prepared in such a manner that they arrive at their destination in good condition and that they present no hazard to persons or animals during shipment. The packaging must include:

(a) inner packagings comprising:
· a watertight primary receptacle(s),
· a watertight secondary packaging, .
· other than for large body parts and whole organs which require special packaging, an absorbent material which must be placed between the primary receptacle(s) and the secondary packaging. Absorbent material is not required for solid substances.

Multiple primary receptacles placed in a single packaging must be wrapped individually or for infectious substances transported in liquid nitrogen, separated and supported to ensure that contact between them is prevented.

The absorbing material, for example cotton wool, must be sufficient to absorb the entire contents of all primary receptacles.

(b) an outer packaging of sufficient strength meeting the design type tests found in Subsection 6.5 and bearing the Specification Markings as required by 6.0.6 for shipments of infectious substances other than those containing large body parts and whole organs which require special packaging. Also infectious substances shipped on liquid nitrogen in packagings that meet the requirements of Packing Instruction 202 are excluded from the testing requirements of Subsection 6.5 and the marking requirements of 6.0.6.

Note: Packagings of the type known as "dry shipper" (see Appendix A) when used to ship infectious substances must meet the testing requirements of Subsection 6.5 and the marking requirements of 6.0.6.

Packages must be at least 100mm (4 in) in the smallest overall external dimension.

For all packages containing infectious substances other than those containing large body parts or whole organs which require special packaging, an itemized list of contents must be enclosed between the secondary packaging and the outer packaging. The primary receptacle or the secondary packaging used for infectious substances must be capable of withstanding, without leakage, an internal pressure which produces a pressure differential of not less than 95 kPa (0.95 bar, 13.8lb/in2) in the range of -40.oC to + 55oC (- 40.oF to 130.oF).

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 FOR THE SHIPMENT.

Shipments of Infectious Substances of Division 6.2 require the shipper to make advance arrangements with the consignee and the operator to ensure that the shipment can be transported and delivered without unnecessary delay. The following statement required by 8.1.6.11.2 must be included in the Additional Handling Information area of the Shipper's Declaration:

"Prior arrangements as required by the lATA Dangerous Goods Regulations 1.3.3.1 have been made."

Specific Requirements
Although in exceptional cases, for example, the shipment of large body parts and whole organs, may require special packaging, the great majority of infectious substances can and must be packed according the following requirements.

Substances shipped at ambient temperatures or higher. - Primary receptacles may only be of glass, metal or plastic. Positive means of ensuring a leak-proof seal must be provided, such as heat seal, skirted stopper or metal crimp seal. If screw caps are used, these must be reinforced with adhesive tape.

Substances shipped refrigerated or frozen (wet ice. pre frozen packs, Carbon dioxide, solid [dry ice]): Ice, Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) or other refrigerant must be placed outside the secondary packaging(s) or alternatively in an overpack with one or more complete packages marked in accordance with 6.0.6. Interior support must be provided to secure the secondary packaging(s) in the original position after the ice or Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) has been dissipated. If ice is used, the packaging must be leak-proof. If Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) is used, the outer packaging must permit the release of carbon-dioxide gas. The primary receptacle and the secondary packaging must maintain their containment integrity at the temperature of the refrigerant used as well as at the temperatures and pressure( s) of air transport to which the receptacle could be subjected if refrigeration were to be lost

Substances shipped in liquid nitrogen: Plastic primary receptacles capable of withstanding very low temperatures must be used. Secondary packaging must also withstand very low temperatures and in most cases will need to be fitted over individual primary receptacles. Requirements for shipment of liquid nitrogen must also be observed. The primary receptacle must maintain its containment integrity, at the temperature transport to which the receptacle could be subjected if refrigeration were to be lost. Where multiple primary receptacles are contained in a single secondary packaging, they must be separated and supported to ensure that contact between them is prevented.

Lyophylized substances: Primary receptacles must be either flame-sealed glass ampoules or rubber-stoppered, glass vials with metal seats.

IATA PACKING INSTRUCTION 913 - 2001

STATE VARIATIONS: USG-13

OPERATOR VARIATIONS: CO-08

The General Packing Requirements of Subsection 5.0.2 must also be met.

Genetically modified micro-organisms must be packed according to Packing Instruction 602, except that the packagings need not be tested as provided in Subsection 6.5.

The maximum quantity in a primary receptacle must not exceed 100 mL or 100g.

IATA PACKING INSTRUCTION 650 -2001

OPERATOR VARIATIONS: AS-02, CO-07/08, CS-07, FX-09, QF-05

The General Packing Requirements of Subsection 5.0.2 must also be met.

General Requirements

Shippers of diagnostic specimens where a relatively low probability exists that infectious substances are present must comply with Packaging Instruction 650 of these regulations. Diagnostic specimens being transported for the purpose of initial diagnosis may be considered to fall under this category where a low probability exists that infectious substances are present. The shipper must also ensure that shipments are prepared m such a manner that they arrive at their destination in good condition and that they present no hazard. to persons or animals during shipment. In the absence of other dangerous shipments,

(a) inner packagings comprising:
· a water tight primary receptacle(s)- for diagnostic specimens the maximum quantity must not exceed 500mL;
· a watertight secondary packaging -the maximum quantity per outer packaging for diagnostic specimens must not exceed 4L;
· an absorbent material- must be placed between the primary receptacle and the secondary packaging. No absorbent material is required when shipping solid substances.

If multiple primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging they must be wrapped individually or for those transported in liquid nitrogen, separated and supported to ensure that contact between them is prevented.

The absorbing material, for example cotton wool, must be sufficient to absorb the entire contents of all primary receptacles.

(b) an outer packaging of adequate strength for its capacity, weight and intended use.

However, each completed package must be capable of successfully passing the drop test described in 6.5.1, except that the height of the drop must not be less than 12m.

The primary receptacle or the secondary packaging used for liquid diagnostic specimens must be capable of withstanding without leakage, an internal pressure which produces a pressure differential of not less than 95 kPa (0.95 bar, 13.8lb/in2) in the range of -40.oC to + 55.oC(-40.oF to 130.oF). It is not necessary for the primary or secondary packaging to be capable of withstanding 95 kPa pressure differential when solid diagnostic specimens are being shipped.
Packages consigned as freight must be at least 100 mm (4 in) in the smallest overall external dimension.

An itemized list of contents must be enclosed between the secondary packaging and the outer packaging.

Each package and the "Nature and Quantity of Goods" box of the air waybill must show the text "DIAGNOSTIC SPECIMEN PACKED IN COMPLIANCE WITH IATA PACKING INSTRUCTION 650".

A Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods is not required.

Specific Requirements

Although exceptional cases, (for example, the shipment of whole organs). may require special packaging, the great majority of diagnostic specimens can and must be packaged according to the following guidelines.

Substances shipped at ambient temperatures or higher- Primary receptacles include those of glass, metal or plastic. Positive means of ensuring a leak-proof seal, such as heat seal, skirted stopper or metal crimp seal must be provided. If screw caps are used these must be reinforced with adhesive tape.

Substances shipped refrigerated or frozen (wet ice, prefrozen packs, Carbon dioxide, solid [dry ice]: Ice, Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) or other refrigerant must be placed outside the secondary packaging(s) or alternatively in an overpack with one or more completed packagings. Interior support must be provided to secure the secondary packaging(s) in the original position after the ice or Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) has been dissipated. If ice is used the packaging must be leak-proof. If Carbon dioxide, - solid (dry ice) is used the outer packaging must permit the release of carbon-dioxide gas. The primary receptacle must maintain its containment integrity at the temperature of the refrigerant as well as at the temperatures and pressure of air transport to which the receptacle could be subjected if refrigeration were to be lost.

Substances shipped in liquid nitrogen: Plastic capable of withstanding very low temperatures must be used instead of glass receptacles. Secondary packaging must also with stand very low temperatures and in most cases will need to be fitted over individual primary receptacles. Requirements for shipment of liquid nitrogen must also be observed. The primary receptacle must maintain its containment integrity at the temperature of the refrigerant used as well as at the temperatures and pressure of air transport to which the receptacle could be subjected if refrigeration were to be lost.

Lyophilized substances: Primary receptacles must be either flame-sealed glass ampoules or rubber-stoppered glass vials with metal seals.

IATA PACKING INSTRUCTION 904-2001

STATE VARIATIONS: USG-13

OPERATOR VARIATIONS: CO-08, HP-02, IC-08, SW-01

The General Packing Requirements of Subsection 5.0.2 must also be met.

Carbon dioxide, solid,( dry, ice), when offered for transport by air, must be in packaging designed and constructed to permit the release of carbon dioxide gas and to prevent a build-up of pressure that could rupture the packaging.

The net weight of the Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) must be marked on the outside of the package.

Arrangements between shipper and operators must be made for each shipment, to ensure ventilation safety procedures are followed. The Shipper's Declaration requirements of Subsections 8.1 and 10.8.1. are only applicable when the Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) is used as a refrigerant for dangerous goods that require a Shipper's Declaration. When a Shipper's Declaration is not required, the information as required by 8.2.3 for the Carbon dioxide, solid ,(dry ice) must be contained in the "Nature and Quantity of Goods" box on the air waybill, excluding the packing instruction number and packing group.

Note 1: Refer to the relevant airline's loading procedures for Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice) limitations.

Note 2: For Air Waybill requirements see 8.2.3. For loading instructions see 9,3.12.

Note 3: For cooling purposes, an overpack may contain Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice), provided that the overpack meets the requirements of Packing Instruction 904.

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