The UN regulation for the transport of infectious substances distinguishes between the following categories:

• Category A (UN2814/UN2900)
  Samples known or reasonably expected to contain pathogens causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease in humans or animals (= Risk Group 4) and cultures of pathogens.
  
  
• Category B (UN3373)
  Samples known or reasonably expected to contain pathogens not included in category An
  
  
• Samples with a low probability of containing pathogens: specimens for the purposes of initial diagnosis for other purposes than the presence of pathogens, or specimens transported for routine screening test (UN3373).

In addition to the above mentioned UN classifications, three other categories are distinguished (EC regulation no. 1774/2002).

1. Category I: material from animals (suspected of) being infected with TSE, pet animals, zoo and circus animals, specific-risk material and cadavers.
2. Category II: material from clinically diseased animals (incl. manure and digestive tract content of healthy animals) and not being category I.
3. Category III: material from clinically healthy animals (excl. manure and digestive tract content of healthy animals) and not being category I or II.

Category I and II may consist of UN2900 and UN2814 as well as UN3373 material. Category III may only consist of UN3373.

In the case of road or air transport, UN2900/UN2814 classified material has to be packed in accordance with packing instruction P620 and P602, respectively.

UN3373 classified material must always be packed in accordance with packing instruction P650.

Further to the labelling already prescribed in P602, P620 and P650, EC resolution no. 1774/2002 requires the following text on the outside of the package, depending on the category:

• “Category I material: for disposal only”
• “Category II material: not for animal consumption”
• “Category III material: not for human consumption”

Last but not least, according to this EC resolution a commercial document (in duplicate) must accompany the samples during transport and should specify:

• the date the samples were taken
• the kind of material
• the net quantity
the place of origin
• the name and address of the carrier
• the name and address of the consigner
• the name and address of the receiver

During transport of category I material, both a commercial document and a consignment note are mandatory.

The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has officially permitted Category I and II material to be submitted to GD Animal Health without an accompanying health certificate.

According to EC regulation no. 1774/2002, when category I and II material is sent to another member state,  the consigner has to inform the competent authority of the place of origin who will then inform competent authority of the place of destination of the consignment by means of the ANIMO system.

Monday 11 September 2006