Packaging of Category A and Category B infectious substances (Class 6, Division 6.2) and clinical, (bio) medical or regulated medical waste (CAN/CGSB-43.125)

Current status: Closed

Open on December 21st, 2020 and will be closed on February 19, 2021.

The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has released the draft of Safety Standard CAN/CGSB-43.125 for a 60-day consultation period. This standard is incorporated by reference within the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDG Regulations) and the new edition will come into force once published with a six-month phase-in (transitional) period.  

Safety standard CAN/CGSB-43.125 sets out the requirements for designing, manufacturing, marking, testing, selecting and using means of containment for the transportation of Category A and Category B infectious substances in Class 6, Division 6.2, solid medical waste of Category A and clinical, (bio) medical, or regulated medical waste.

Join in: how to participate

Share your ideas

To obtain a copy of the draft safety standard, please contact the CGSB directly via Robert Long at robert.long@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca. Comments for improvement to the standard may be sent to Robert Long at the CGSB at robert.long@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca using the following instructions.

All comments must be included in the comment form supplied by the CGSB and contain the following information:

  • CGSB Reference Number/Title of the Standard (e.g. CGSB-43.125 / "Packaging of Category A and Category B infectious substances (Class 6, Division 6.2) and clinical, (bio) medical or regulated medical waste")
  • affected Clause No. /Subclause No. /Annex (e.g. 7.2)
  • affected Paragraph / Figure / Table / Note (e.g. Table 1)
  • comment (justification for change)
  • proposed change

Who is the focus of this consultation

All Canadians are invited to participate in the online consultations. Those with a particular interest may include:

  • manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of Type P620 and Type P650 packaging or other packagings used to transport infectious substances and clinical, (bio) medical, or regulated medical waste
  • users of Type P620 or Type P650 packaging, or other packaging used to transport infectious substances and clinical, (bio) medical or regulated medical waste.

Significant changes

  • Alignment with the 21st edition of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations (Orange Book) (eg. updated definitions, packing instruction for UN3549 – see bullet below)
  • Modification of packaging information requirements when infectious substance packaging is made available as a kit
  • Periodic retest of Type P620 packaging design every five years
  • Clarification of the requirements for the preparation of a Type P650 packaging design report (Note: this report must be prepared, but submission to Transport Canada is not required)
  • Introduction of packing instructions for the transport of the new classification UN3549, MEDICAL WASTE, CATEGORY A, AFFECTING HUMANS, solid or MEDICAL WASTE, CATEGORY A, AFFECTING ANIMALS only, solid.
  • Clarify improvements to the selection and use requirements outlined in Part II and Part III (eg. removal of any classification-related requirements from this packaging standard)
  • Incorporation of UN Large Packaging Codes permitted for transport in Part III, pursuant to the publication of the CAN/CGSB-43.145 Standard (published but not yet in force under the TDG regulations)
  • New clause in Part II and Part III outlining the reuse provisions for infectious substance packaging.
  • New general use clauses introduced into Part III for consistency with Part II.

Related information

Contact us

Robert Long, Standards Specialist
Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB)
Email: robert.long@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca
Tel: 343-551-1904
Fax: 819-956-5740