The U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) has published new rules designed to align the regulations involved with Infectious substances with international standards. This final rule becomes the law October 1. The rule harmonizes the requirements of 49CFR in the United States with those of the 14th edition of the UN Recommendations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations.

The same classification scheme, as put forward by the international air transport regulators, has been adopted that now finds Class 6 Division 2 Dangerous Goods divided into a two-tiered system designated as Category A or Category B Infectious substances. Patient specimens are also defined under these new regulations. The reference to Risk Groups has been deleted in 49CFR.

The Proper Shipping Names "Diagnostic specimens and Clinical specimens" have been replaced by "Biological substance, Category B." As of January 1 2007, only the Proper Shipping Name "Biological substance, Category B" will be accepted.

Under these new regulations, shippers are now allowed to NOT put the Technical Name information on an outer package that contains Category A, Infectious substances.

Click here to view the entire Final Rule.