Page 24 - qp_03

1. INTRODUCTION

International and national procedures have been established for the safe
transport of biological materials by all modes of transportation (air, sea and land).
Different packaging and transport arrangement apply depending on whether
materials are infectious substances, biological products, cultures, genetically
modified organism (GMO) or exempt substances. The requirements of various
regulatory bodies are based on the United Nations Recommendations on the
Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations which are adopted by
International Air Transportation Association (IATA) and Malaysian Standards
(MS 1513).

It is the responsibility of sender to ensure compliance with all packaging and
transport regulations.

2. OBJECTIVE

This procedure is to ensure proper and safe transport of all biological materials
including environmental samples such as patients’ specimens, infectious
substances, cultures, water samples, clinical wastes and genetically modified
organisms for all modes of transportation (air, sea and land) to referral or other
laboratories.

This procedure also ensures that the integrity of the specimens is preserved for
accurate analysis by the receiving laboratory.

3. SCOPE

This procedure will be used for packing and transporting of patients’ specimens,
infectious substances, cultures, clinical wastes and genetically modified
organisms to the designated Referral Laboratory in Malaysia and overseas.

4. DEFINITION

The following definitions align with the UN Model Regulations and are used in this
Section:

4.1 Biological products

Products that are derived from living organisms, used either for
prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of diseases in humans or animals, or
for developmental, experimental or investigational purposes.

1