Are Your Biohazard Bags Really 95 kPa Capable?

What You Should Know Before Shipping UN 3373 Specimens

When it comes to transporting UN 3373 Category B Biological Substances, choosing the right biohazard bag isn’t just about convenience, it’s about compliance, safety and protecting everyone involved in the logistics chain.

Many biohazard bags claim to be ‘95 kPa compliant,’ but from our research few can pass the test when checked. With the regulatory spotlight increasingly focused on the correct packaging of biological substances, now is the time to ask the question:

Are your current biohazard bags used as secondary packaging  truly capable of passing 95 kPa pressure tests?

 What Does the 95 kPa Test Mean and Why It Matters

Under Packing Instruction P650, used for shipping UN 3373 Category B substances in liquid form, either the primary receptacle or the secondary packaging must withstand an internal

pressure of 95 kPa (kilopascals) without leakage.

This pressure simulates conditions that might occur during transport such as in air transport and changes in cabin pressure.

A biohazard bag that fails this test risks:

• Leakage of infectious materials creating a danger to humans & animals who come into contact with the damaged package
• Contamination of couriers, lab personnel and transport vehicles
• Rejected shipments or regulatory non-compliance

A truly compliant 95 kPa bag gives laboratories, hospital, research facilities and couriers   peace of mind that the samples are transported safely and legally.

What to Look for When Choosing a 95 kPa Bio Specimen Bag

When comparing suppliers, look beyond marketing claims. A properly engineered 95 kPa biohazard bag should demonstrate:

• Independent laboratory testing verifying 95 kPa capability in line with P650 regulations
• Leakproof, puncture-resistant construction with a secure, tamper-evident adhesive seal

Other key features for clinical bags may include:

• Clear labelling and biohazard marking suitable for UN 3373 transport
• Integrated document pouch to keep paperwork separate and contamination-free
• Traceability features, such as unique barcodes, to support chain-of-custody tracking

These features not only support compliance but also improve specimen management and efficiency throughout your logistics process.

Questions to Ask Your Supplier

Before purchasing or reordering biohazard bags, ask your supplier:

1. Can they provide independent test certification showing 95 kPa compliance?
   – Genuine 95 kPa bags should have verifiable test results from 95 kPa testing.
2. What testing method was used and is it aligned with P650 requirements?
   – Ensure the testing was conducted under recognised international transport regulations.
3. Do the bags include traceability features such as barcoding?
   – This extra feature ensures accountability and reduces the risk of mix-ups.
4. Can they provide compliant UN 3373 shipping systems?
   – Capable outer packaging for integration with biohazard bags create triple packaging solutions, a strong indicator of a reputable supplier.

How to Verify 95 kPa Capability

Any supplier claiming 95 kPa performance should be able to show:

• A 95 kPa test certificate
• Details of the test conditions (pressure applied & duration)
• Transparency: If this evidence isn’t readily available, it’s worth reconsidering whether their products truly meet the required standard.

Peace of Mind Through Proven Compliance

Air Sea Containers’ BioBags (Models 751 & 752) have been independently tested and certified to meet 95 kPa standards in accordance with P650.
Each bag is:

• Leakproof, puncture-resistant and ADR/IATA/IMDG compliant
• Equipped with a unique barcode for full specimen traceability
• Fitted with an integrated document pouch for safe, organized transport
• Suitable to be used with our UN3373 outer packaging to create a UN 3373 triple packaging solutions. Our UN3373 shipping kits deliver both safety and efficiency, ensuring specimens arrive securely and compliantly every time.
• Capable of withstanding a pressure of 95 kPa for 30 minutes. See a demo video of our own additional internal tests.

Choose from our Code 760 Postal Pack, ideal for Royal Mail postal services and designed to fit through standard letterboxes, it’s a great alternative to Royal Mail Safebox™. Our Mid-size Code 761 Bioshipper 1, which can accommodate up to four BioBags 751, or for larger quantities of biological samples, our BioBag-752 can fit 1x cryovial box or numerous vials and is approved for use with the Code 762 Bioshipper 2.  The bioshipper 2 box is large enough to hold numerous BioBag-752.

Ensure your bags are what they say they are!

If you’re reviewing your current packaging or comparing suppliers, take the time to verify 95 kPa performance. The right biohazard bag isn’t just a purchase, it’s a safeguard for people, animals, processes and compliance.

For more information about our BioBags contact our team today or view our range here.