Category A Packaging (UN2814 & UN2900)

A Category A infectious substance is a substance that, if exposure occurs, is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals.

Category A infectious substance classification must be based on known medical history or symptoms. They pose a higher risk to humans and animals than Category B infectious substances.

These infectious substances pose a significant risk to the people transporting these substances as well as the recipient’s packages. Therefore, the correct safety precautions and regulations need to be followed to ensure safety throughout transportation.

Due to the risk associated with transporting Category A infectious substances, great care needs to be taken when selecting the correct packaging. There are many mandatory regulations that must be followed for the safe shipment of such substances.

As standard, Category A substances must be shipped with a triple packaging system. This system includes:

• Primary Receptacle
• Secondary Packaging
• Outer Packaging

Each layer of packaging has strict guidelines which must be adhered to.

In addition to triple packaging, the infectious substances must be labelled correctly. This includes:

• The proper shipping name
• The correct UN number
• Appropriate hazard labels

Category A UN Numbers

• UN2814 – Infectious substance affecting humans.
• UN2900 – Infectious substance affecting animals only.
• UN3549 – Medical waste, Category A affecting animals only solid.
• UN3549 – Medical waste, Category A affecting humans solid.

Category A and Category B must be in separate primary receptacles but can be shipped in the same secondary or outer packaging; they must be packed in Category A UN-approved packaging and labelled correctly.

As Category A substances are more dangerous than Category B substances, they cannot be shipped in Category B packaging.

However, Category B substances can be shipped in Category A packaging if it is desired.

If you are unsure about the packaging requirements for your substances, get in touch with our specialised packaging experts today.

Category A infectious substances fall under Class 6 Infectious Substances (Division 6.2). 

Class 6.2 Infectious Substances relate to substances that are capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals.

A Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods must be completed by the shipper for each consignment containing Category A substances when transported by air. 

UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B consignments do not require a Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods when transported by Air.

This dangerous goods declaration can be found on the IATA website.

For transport by road, The Dangerous Goods Transport Document must be completed for any carriage of goods governed by ADR.  When goods mentioned by name in Table A of Chapter 3.2 are listed as NOT SUBJECT TO ADR (e.g. UN1327 Bhusa) the consignor may enter in the transport document a statement to that effect. E.g. Not Goods of Class…

For multi-modal carriage of dangerous goods, a Multimodal Dangerous Goods Form may be completed.

Pathogens classified under UN 2814 are infectious substances that can cause permanent disability and life-threatening or fatal diseases in otherwise healthy humans. 

These infectious substances require UN-approved packaging solutions to avoid contamination or leakage during transport. Some examples of infectious substances include:

• Bacillus anthracis (cultures only).
• Escherichia coli (cultures only).
• Clostridium botulinum (cultures only).
• Ebola virus.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (cultures only).
• Hepatitis B virus (cultures only)
• Yersinia pestis (plague) (cultures only).

Substances classified under UN 2900 affect animals and require specific packaging solutions for safe transport due to their ability to cause fatal harm or life-changing disability. 

Examples of these pathogens include:

• African swine fever virus (cultures only).
• Foot and mouth disease virus (cultures only).
• Lumpy skin disease virus (cultures only).
• Rinderpest virus (cultures only).

Our Category A packaging solutions are designed to offer maximum security and compliance when transporting dangerous pathogens. Key features include:

• Compliant UN 2814 and UN 2900 packaging: Adheres to all modes of dangerous goods regulations.
• 95kPa pressure-tested: Leakproof packaging. 
• Triple-layer protection: Ensures full containment and protection from external factors.
• Tamper-proof seals: Added safety features to prevent unauthorised opening or tampering with the package.
• Temperature control options: Available for substances requiring temperature regulation during transit.

Ensure compliance and safety by choosing the right Category A packaging. Explore our range of UN 2814 and UN 2900 packaging solutions for the safe transport of infectious substances today.