Accessibility statement
 

Transport

General information

Certain biological samples, cultures and other materials fall within the description of dangerous goods for carriage and both national and international legislation demand stringent requirements must be met if the goods are transported by any means. All workers in the University must ensure Regulations applicable to the transport of biological materials are complied with for each particular consignment and not carry, consign, package or play any other role in the transport chain if they are not competent to do so. Department of Biology Stores staff should be contacted for advice on the requirements for transportation of biological agents in the UK or abroad.

All persons undertaking any role in the transport chain must be properly trained and have a detailed understanding of the relevant Regulations to ensure they are able to undertake their responsibilities to the required standards.

Even if the particular biological material to be transported is not hazardous and does not fall under the description of dangerous goods, the item still must be packed safely for carriage.

Any problems occurring during transport, such as leakage or breakage, should be reviewed in order that corrective measures can be taken to prevent any recurrence. If workers in the University receive packages that are not properly packaged or labelled they should contact the originator to advise of the problem and ask that any future packages meet the legislative standards.

Transport of Biological Agents in the United Kingdom or Abroad

Department of Biology Stores should be contacted for guidance on transport of biological materials in the UK or abroad. For transport of samples abroad, anyone sending biological materials by air must ensure they comply with the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Further, more detailed information on key requirements for transport of different categories of biological materials is provided in the links below:

Importation of Biological Agents

There is no requirement under health and safety law to obtain a licence to import human pathogens into the UK , other than the requirement under COSHH to notify the movement of HG4 agents. There is a requirement to notify first use of HG2-HG4 agents at a particular premises, but this relates to use of agents in the laboratory, not the consignment of those agents. This only applies to human pathogens; licences are required for the importation of animal and plant pathogens (contact Biological Safety Advisor for further information if required).