When it comes to biological logistics, particularly the handling and transporting of biological specimens, we rely on our own set of principles: the three Rs of biological sample packaging. Similarly to the three fundamental Rs of basic school skills in our early education; reading, writing and arithmetic’s.
These skills have followed us throughout adulthood, building the foundation for our academic capabilities and everyday lives. After all, they are the reason you can read this very blog.
The three Rs of biological sample packaging build a solid foundation for maintaining safety, sample integrity and compliance throughout sample transport, as well as bring light to the wider responsibilities of each packaging provider.
The three Rs of biological sample packaging
Remote sample collection has transformed our healthcare system, and with it brings new challenges in sample logistics. Packaging providers need a robust management system which accounts for the entire sample transportation process. This ensures that every remotely collected sample arrives at the lab safely, uncompromised, and without harm to related handlers.
For this to be achieved, specialists in the sample collection field must manage stringent UN3373 packaging regulations, transportation processes, and a streamlined supply chain system.
RDi categorises sample transportation management into three core focus areas. This is what we refer to as the three Rs of biological sample packaging, which businesses and healthcare service providers can build on. The foundations of success we deliver as a partner, are:
- Receptacles
- Regulations
- Responsible practices
1) Essential packaging receptables
Stripping it down to the foundational layer, the basis for any UN3373 Category B packaging must involve three primary receptacles. These are otherwise referred to as the triple packaging system, which includes:
- The primary receptacle: A direct holder of the sample.
- Secondary packaging: An encasing to the primary receptacle, including absorbency.
- Outer packaging: The protective outer layer, which must include appropriate labelling.
As an integral structure within biological sample packaging, receptacle design is important. Much like how your reading ability will build your vocabulary and subsequent writing skills, incorporating optimal design into your receptacles will help to build a packaging solution that strictly adheres to regulatory expectations. Each component must be crafted carefully, with sample safety and integrity preservation as its core functionality.
Packaging must be leakproof, including bio-safe plastic materials, a robust and protective composition and accurate labelling and tracking features. Customisable designs that best address specific sample limitations, such as temperature sensitivity, should also be accounted for within the UN3373 packaging design.
2) Regulatory adherence for biological sample packaging
In place to protect both the sample and handler, the stringent packaging regulations set out by the ADR and DGR reinforce the need for triple packaging, as well as the rigorous testing requirements needed to ensure packaging suitability.
Adherence to these regulations is a vital component of biological sample transportation, mitigating the threat of leakage, contamination or sample degradation throughout its transportation journey.
To ensure regulatory adherence, all packaging must confidently pass a series of rigorous testing methods. Package durability and integrity are evaluated by a 1.2m drop test method, which should cause no damage to the primary. Packaging must be able to withstand an internal pressure of up to 95kPa.
For packaging to be truly authenticated as compliant, assessment should be independently tested by an ISO-accredited, third-party laboratory facility, as opposed to an in-house testing facility.
Biological specimen packaging compliance requirements can be easily navigated using RDi’s compliance pathway model.
3) Employing responsible practices at the forefront of healthcare
With the three Rs of basic learning, arithmetic law involves a set of rules to solve complex mathematical equations. Much like the laws of arithmetic, responsible practices within sample packaging production should involve a series of unnegotiable operations.
These will build the foundational blocks for a streamlined, innovative and responsible process. Factors include:
Quality control and compliance management
Responsibility in manufacture begins primarily with strict quality control of any UN3373 packaging production line. This is vital for ensuring compliance.
RDi’s production lines for UN3373 packaging and sample collection kits, for example, utilise automated camera verification technology for integrated regulatory compliance. This accounts for every product at an individual level.
Packaging design and production further includes input from an on-hand compliance team, which ensures all customised packaging designs meet strict regulatory guidelines.
To show demonstratable packaging compliance to UN3373 regulations, our award-winning secondary packaging has been independently tested by an ISO-accredited laboratory, with certifiable proof available on request.
Environmental and social responsiblity
Biological sample packaging production extends far beyond the responsibility of quality. In the healthcare sector, forefront businesses must show a commitment to packaging practices that support the wider industry, society and our environment.
This includes the use of more sustainable designs such as reduced plastic packaging, true-to-size packaging or prioritising recyclable materials where necessary. Read how you can reduce plastic in Biological Substance Category B Transportation here.
In terms of streamlining your supply chain, sophisticated technologies can be harnessed to support forecasting and planning to minimise waste. Streamlined inventory management (link to new page) will ensure that production volumes remain in line with customer demand to support non-wasteful manufacture.
Employing sustainable practices can be easily achieved through a partnership with a standalone, sustainability-focused supply chain management specialist.
Through RDi’s commitment to sustainability, high ethical standards and ambition for global healthcare accessibility, we ensure our healthcare partners can mutually benefit from that same commitment.
Exceed the three Rs of biological sample packaging with RDi
As sample transport specialists, we recognise that navigating regulatory adherence, employing optimal receptacle design and ensuring responsible practices within production can be a complex, yet essential foundation for biological sample packaging.
Innovative supply chain management practices are what drives RDi. We’re committed to helping our clients achieve seamless sample transportation through our medical kit design, manufacture and supply chain services, and it all started with the three Rs of packaging!
To ensure that your UN3373 packaging remains in line with the three R’s, get in touch with our team.
