Supply List for Shipping Class 6.2 Biological
Substances
Type B Packaging (TC-123-1B marking and UN3373)
Can only be used for Category B biological materials (see next page).
Leakproof Bag
Individually wrapped primary containers can be placed in this leak-proof
bag with absorbent material. In sufficient quantity to absorb the entire
contents.
Pressure- (95 kPa) and Temperature- Tested (-40C to 55C) Bag
This bag has been tested for air travel conditions. This should be the final
container the supplies are placed in. An itemized list must be placed
between this bag and the outer Type B Packaging.
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General Guidelines for Classifying Class 6.2
Biological Substances
Risk Group 1
Shipment of Risk Group 1 biological substances does not require special shipping packaging but
it will require paperwork. Contact HSE and Science Stores immediately.
If you are shipping specimens on dry ice, the dry ice within the package will be considered a
Class 9 – Miscellaneous dangerous good regardless of what is being shipped with the ice. See
below for more details.
Risk Group 2
If you are shipping Risk Group 2 biological substances contact HSE immediately. Shipping
dangerous and restricted goods can take time (approximately 1 week) as each sample must be
classified and packaged individually. Are the appropriate packaging supplies even on campus?
Have you purchased these?
In December 2015, the University of Regina will not be able to send pathogens to an
organization without formal confirmation from the organization’s BSO and demonstration of
the recipient organization’s Public Health Agency of Canada License.
Figure 1. Flowchart of Decision-Steps to Classify Biological Substances Packaging for Shipping
Toxic Substance
Class 6.1
Infectious Substance
Category A
(Infectious)
Category B
(Biological)
Class 6.2
UN 2814 or
UN 2900
Class 6.2
UN 3373
Type 1B
Type 1A
By ground
By air
+ IATA Regs
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Step 1 – Is the material a toxic or infectious substance?
Definitions
Toxic Substances are defined as substances that are liable to cause death or serious injury or
harm human health if swallowed or inhaled or if they come into contact with human skin (LD50
and LC50). If you have a toxic substance (Class 6.1) this Guide does not apply, contact the BSO
immediately.
Infectious Substances are defined as a substance known or reasonably believed to contain
viable micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, parasites, fungi, and other agents
such as prions that are known or reasonably believed to cause disease in human or animals.
Anything in Risk Group 2 qualifies as an ‘Infectious Substance’ (Class 6.2).
Step 2 – Is the infectious substance, Category A, B, or Exempted?
To determine whether an organism is Category A or B, we have to consult Part 2, Appendix 3 of
the TDG Regulations: (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/tdg/clear-part2-339.htm#app3).
Category A (Infectious) – An infectious substance in a form that, when exposure to it occurs, is
capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening, or fatal disease to humans or animals.
If there is any doubt as to whether or not a pathogen falls within this category it must
transported as Category A, Infectious Substance.
 Examples: Viruses
o Human Immunodeficiency Virus
o Rabies Virus
o Hepatitis B
o Hantaviruses
 Bacteria
o E.coli ETEC
o Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Category B (Biological) – An infectious substance that does not meet the criteria for inclusion in
Category A.



Examples: Viruses
o Hepatitis C and D
Bacteria
o Pseudomonas aeruginosa
o Staphylococcus aureus
o E.coli, E.coli EIEC, E.coli EPEC
Fungi
o Aspergillus nidulans
Category B (Exempted) - Human Specimens Not Believed to Contain Infectious Substances. If
you don’t know that is not reason enough.
 Examples: Blood, urine, tissue
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Example of Shipping a TDG, Class 6.2 Substance
This is an example to demonstrate how a microorganism is classified and the process to determine the packaging,
labeling, and documentation requirements. In this example scenario, we have a culture of Escherichia coli which
we wish to send to a colleague elsewhere in Canada.
1.
Does it qualify as an ‘Infectious Substance’?
Risk Group 1 materials and organisms are exempt from TDGR and can be shipped by road without training or
special packaging. Anything in Risk Group 2 qualifies as an ‘Infectious Substance’. In the example of E. coli, it
is an ‘infectious substance’ because E. coli is a Risk Group 2 organism.
2.
Is it ‘Category A’ or ‘Category B’?
To determine whether an organism is Category A or B, we have to consult Appendix 3 of the TDGR:
(http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/tdg/clear-part2-339.htm#app3).
E. coli is listed under Category B.
Category A materials are those that could cause permanent disability or life threatening disease in animals or
humans. All infectious substances that don’t meet the Category A (high risk) criteria are captured under
Category B.
3.
What is the correct shipping name – UN3373, UN2814 or UN2900?
Anything in Category B is shipped under the name UN3373, Biological Substance, Category B. This would be
the correct shipping name for our example shipment of an E. coli culture.
Category A materials are assigned to either UN2814 or UN2900, Infectious Substance, depending on the ability
of the organisms to cause disease in humans or animals.
You are not certified to classify, package, or ship dangerous or restricted goods.
Please contact HSE and Science Stores immediately. It can take 1 -2 weeks to
classify and acquire the proper shipping supplies, please start this process EARLY.
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