Are new regulations reshaping the future of specimen absorbent pads?

The safe and compliant transportation of liquid biological specimen is paramount, primarily governed by stringent international and national regulations. Key among these are the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). These frameworks consistently emphasize the critical role of packaging components, particularly absorbent pads, in preventing leakage and ensuring containment.

Under current regulations, such as IATA Packing Instructions P650 (for UN3373 Biological Substance, Category B) and P620 (for Infectious Substances, Category A), there's an explicit requirement for sufficient absorbent material to be placed within the secondary packaging.

This material must be capable of absorbing the entire contents of the primary receptacle in the event of a breach, thereby preventing any leakage from the secondary container. Furthermore, these instructions mandate that primary containers be leak-proof and outer packaging be robust, durable, and correctly marked and labeled. 

For instance, detailed guidelines from major carriers like FedEx explicitly stipulate a four-layer packaging system for liquid clinical samples, with absorbent pads strategically positioned between the primary and secondary containers.

The recently released 66th edition of the IATA DGR for 2025 (IATA Press Release, February 3, 2025) introduced over 350 changes and revisions. A detailed review, however, reveals that these updates primarily focus on:

• New UN numbers and packing instructions, such as those for sodium-ion batteries (UN 3559).
• Expansion of dangerous materials definitions.
• Revisions to marking systems, including the mandatory use of "associated DGD" from January 1, 2025.
• Updates to battery transportation, including transitional provisions for lithium battery powered vehicles (until March 31, 2025).

Notably, these comprehensive updates do not introduce specific changes or new mandates directly pertaining to biological sample transportation or the technical specifications of absorbent pads.

Evolving Trends Indirectly Influencing Absorbent Pad Standards

While direct regulatory changes for absorbent pads in biological sample transport are absent in the latest IATA DGR, several emerging trends could indirectly influence their future selection and design:

• Heightened Safety Compliance and Environmental Requirements: 

Policies, such as those impacting the import of biological sample transport bags into the U.S. in 2023, lean towards more stringent safety compliance and environmental responsibility. This growing emphasis may indirectly steer the choice of absorbent pad materials towards more sustainable options, such as recyclable or biodegradable materials, as highlighted by UN3373 packaging news.

• State-Level Restrictions on Single-Use Plastics: 

Certain regional regulations, such as restrictions on single-use plastics in states like California, could drive innovation in absorbent pad materials, pushing manufacturers towards more eco-friendly and compliant solutions. This reflects a broader global movement towards reducing plastic waste.

While the core regulatory requirements for absorbent pads in biological sample transportation remain consistent under the latest international guidelines, the industry should remain vigilant. Indirect pressures from environmental regulations and a global push for sustainable materials may increasingly shape the future development and adoption of absorbent pads, even without explicit new mandates in the immediate regulatory updates.