DGR Class 6 — Toxic & Infectious Substances

DGR Class 6 — Toxic & Infectious Substances is a dangerous goods classification under IATA regulations that encompasses toxic substances liable to cause serious harm and infectious substances that can cause disease in humans or animals. The classification is divided into two primary subcategories: Category A infectious substances (UN2814 for humans, UN2900 for animals) representing high-risk materials capable of causing permanent disability or fatal disease, and Category B infectious substances (UN3373) that pose lower risk but still require specialized handling. Air cargo operations require specific packing instructions such as P650 for Category B substances, which mandates triple packaging with leak-proof primary and secondary receptacles, absorbent material, and proper marking to ensure safe transport.

A FedEx Express shipment using AWB 023-45678912 transports blood specimens from Miami International Airport (MIA) to London Heathrow (LHR) classified as UN3373 Biological Substance, Category B, packed according to P650 requirements with triple packaging and proper UN3373 marking. A Lufthansa Cargo shipment on AWB 020-78901234 carries anthrax bacterial cultures from Frankfurt (FRA) to Atlanta (ATL) classified as UN2814 Infectious Substance Affecting Humans, requiring Category A packaging instruction P620 with UN-specification packaging and a shipper's declaration for dangerous goods.

• Class 6
• infectious substances cargo
• toxic substances air
• biological substances
• Category A B
• P650

What are the specific packing requirements for DGR Class 6.2 Category B substances under P650?

P650 requires triple packaging with leak-proof primary receptacles containing not more than 1L/1kg, leak-proof secondary packaging with sufficient absorbent material, and rigid outer packaging with one surface having minimum dimensions of 100 x 100 mm. The packaging must be clearly labeled with the UN3373 diamond and adjacent words "Biological Substance, Category B".

Which UN numbers apply to DGR Class 6 toxic and infectious substances shipments?

Category A infectious substances use UN2814 for substances affecting humans and UN2900 for substances affecting animals. Category B infectious substances are assigned UN3373 with the proper shipping name "Biological Substance, Category B". Medical waste with low probability of infection uses UN3291 with proper shipping names like "Medical waste n.o.s" or "Regulated medical waste n.o.s".