In addition to the online Division of Research Safety (DRS) training entitled Awareness Training for the Transport of Hazardous Materials, a function-specific online training entitled Transportation of Infectious Substances, Category B is required. The DRS will verify that all required training has been completed before issuing an Authorized Certificate to ship Category B materials. Training shall be completed prior to shipping any Category B infectious substance and repeated every two years.
All shipments containing Category B infectious substances shall meet the Department of Transportation and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations according to Packaging Instructions 650 (PI650). In addition to a triple packaging system, quantity limitations apply and packaging must be certified that it meets a stringent drop test.
All Category B infectious substances shall be marked with a UN3373 Biological Substance, Category B label (see figure 1) that is in accordance with the IATA regulation. The UN number for regulated medical waste is UN3291. Vendors such as Stericycle ship regulated medical waste.