Consignors of infectious substances shall ensure that packages are prepared in such a manner that they arrive at their destination in good condition and present no hazard to persons or animals during carriage.

The definitions in 1.2.1 and the general packing provisions of 4.1.1.1 to 4.1.1.17, except 4.1.1.10 to 4.1.1.12 and 4.1.1.15 apply to infectious substances packages. However, liquids shall only be filled into packagings which have an appropriate resistance to the internal pressure that may develop under normal conditions of carriage.

An itemized list of contents shall be enclosed between the secondary packaging and the outer packaging. When the infectious substances to be carried are unknown, but suspected of meeting the criteria for inclusion in Category A, the words "suspected Category A infectious substance" shall be shown, in parenthesis, following the proper shipping name on the document inside the outer packaging.

Before an empty packaging is returned to the consignor, or sent elsewhere, it shall be disinfected or sterilized to nullify any hazard and any label or mark indicating that it had contained an infectious substance shall be removed or obliterated.

Provided an equivalent level of performance is maintained, the following variations in the primary receptacles placed within a secondary packaging are allowed without the need for further testing of the completed packaging:
(a) Primary receptacles of equivalent or smaller size as compared to the tested primary receptacles may be used provided:
(i) the primary receptacles are of similar design to the primary receptacle tested (e.g. shape: round, rectangular, etc.);
(ii) the material of construction of the primary receptacles (e.g. glass, plastics, metal) offers resistance to impact and stacking forces equivalent to or better than that of the primary receptacles originally tested;
(iii) the primary receptacles have the same or smaller openings and the closure is of equivalent design (e.g. screw cap, friction lid, etc.);
(iv) sufficient additional cushioning material is used to take up empty spaces and to prevent significant movement of the primary receptacles; and
(v) primary receptacles are oriented within the secondary packagings in the same manner as in the tested package;
(b) A lesser number of the tested primary receptacles, or of the alternative types of primary receptacles identified in (a) above, may be used provided sufficient cushioning is added to fill the void space(s) and to prevent significant movement of the primary receptacles.

Paragraphs 4.1.8.1 to 4.1.8.5 only apply to infectious substances of Category A (UN Nos. 2814 and 2900). They do not apply to UN No. 3373 BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B (see packing instruction P650 of 4.1.4.1), nor to UN No. 3291 CLINICAL WASTE, UNSPECIFIED, N.O.S. or (BIO) MEDICAL WASTE, N.O.S. or REGULATED MEDICAL WASTE, N.O.S.

For the carriage of animal material, packagings or IBCs not specifically authorized in the applicable packing instruction shall not be used for the carriage of a substance or article unless specifically approved by the competent authority of the country of origin2 and provided:
(a) The alternative packaging complies with the general requirements of this Part;
(b) When the packing instruction indicated in Column (8) of Table A of Chapter 3.2 so specifies, the alternative packaging meets the requirements of Part 6;
(c) The competent authority of the country of origin2 determines that the alternative packaging provides at least the same level of safety as if the substance were packed in accordance with a method specified in the particular packing instruction indicated in Column (8) of Table A of Chapter 3.2; and
(d) A copy of the competent authority approval accompanies each consignment or the transport document includes an indication that alternative packaging was approved by the competent authority.

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2    If the country of origin is not a Contracting Party to ADR, the competent authority of the first Contracting Party
to the ADR reached by the consignment

Radioactive material, packagings and packages shall meet the requirements of Chapter 6.4. The quantity of radioactive material in a package shall not exceed the limits specified in 2.2.7.2.2, 2.2.7.2.4.1, 2.2.7.2.4.4, 2.2.7.2.4.5, 2.2.7.2.4.6, special provision 336 of Chapter 3.3 and 4.1.9.3.

The types of packages for radioactive materials covered by ADR, are:

(a) Excepted package (see 1.7.1.5);

(b) Industrial package Type 1 (Type IP-1 package);

(c) Industrial package Type 2 (Type IP-2 package);

(d) Industrial package Type 3 (Type IP-3 package);

(e) Type A package;

(f) Type B(U) package;

(g) Type B(M) package;

(h) Type C package.

Packages containing fissile material or uranium hexafluoride are subject to additional requirements.

The non-fixed contamination on the external surfaces of any package shall be kept as low as practicable and, under routine conditions of transport, shall not exceed the following limits:

(a) 4 Bq/cm2 for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters; and

(b) 0.4 Bq/cm2 for all other alpha emitters.

These limits are applicable when averaged over any area of 300 cm2 of any part of the surface

A package shall not contain any items other than those that are necessary for the use of the radioactive material. The interaction between these items and the package under the conditions of carriage applicable to the design, shall not reduce the safety of the package.

Except as provided in 7.5.11, CV33, the level of non-fixed contamination on the external and internal surfaces of overpacks, containers, tanks, IBCs and vehicles shall not exceed the limits specified in 4.1.9.1.2.

For radioactive material having other dangerous properties the package design shall take into account those properties. Radioactive material with a subsidiary hazard, packaged in packages that do not require competent authority approval, shall be carried in packagings, IBCs, tanks or bulk containers fully complying with the requirements of the relevant chapters of Part 6 as appropriate, as well as applicable requirements of chapters 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 for that subsidiary hazard.

Before a packaging is first used to carry radioactive material, it shall be confirmed that it has been manufactured in conformity with the design specifications to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of ADR and any applicable certificate of approval. The following requirements shall also be fulfilled, if applicable:

(a) If the design pressure of the containment system exceeds 35 kPa (gauge), it shall be ensured that the containment system of each packaging conforms to the approved design requirements relating to the capability of that system to maintain its integrity under that pressure;

(b) For each packaging intended for use as a Type B(U), Type B(M) or Type C package and for each packaging intended to contain fissile material, it shall be ensured that the effectiveness of its shielding and containment and, where necessary, the heat transfer characteristics and the effectiveness of the confinement system, are within the limits applicable to or specified for the approved design;

(c) For each packaging intended to contain fissile material, it shall be ensured that the effectiveness of the criticality safety features is within the limits applicable to or specified for the design and in particular where, in order to comply with the requirements of 6.4.11.1 neutron poisons are specifically included, checks shall be performed to confirm the presence and distribution of those neutron poisons.