Clinical waste

Adobe Stock © Robert Kneschke
Adobe Stock © Robert Kneschke


lnfectious substances are assigned to class 6.2 according to UN guidelines and, depending on the case, to UN number 2814, 2900, 3291, 3373 or 3549. The UN number 3549 was newly included in ADR 2021, as was the packaging regulation P622 for it.


Clinical waste is usually classified with UN-3291 or UN-3549 and the packaging regulations P621 (packaging intended for sharp or pointed objects must be stitching-proof and capable of retaining liquid substances under the test conditions of Chapter 6.1.) or P622 (with several additional regulations). The containers are manufactured and tested in accordance with the regulations in Chapter 6.2 of ADR.


This must be distinguished from infectious material of class 6.2, category A. This must be manufactured and tested in accordance with the regulations in Chapter 6.3 of ADR. Puncture resistance is also required here, which is intended to simulate the penetration of the packaging during transport (e.g. by a protruding rod or similar).