ADR packing instruction P650
Heading in ADR: “P650 PACKING INSTRUCTION”
Biological substance Category B (UN 3373): triple packaging, UN3373 diamond mark, 1.2 m drop; packed per P650 it is otherwise exempt from ADR.
Covers UN 3373. Packagings must be of good quality, strong enough for normal handling and closed against loss of contents, and consist of a primary receptacle, a secondary packaging and an outer packaging, with either the secondary or the outer rigid. The outer must show the UN3373 diamond mark (at least 50 mm by 50 mm, 2 mm lines, 6 mm characters) next to the name "BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B", have at least one surface of 100 mm by 100 mm, and the package must survive a 1.2 m drop. Liquids need leakproof primary and secondary, absorbent material and 95 kPa pressure capability; solids need siftproof primary and secondary. Rules cover ice, dry ice and liquid nitrogen coolants (5.5.3), overpack marking, filling instructions from packaging suppliers, and cleaning of a cargo transport unit after a spill. Packed and marked this way, UN 3373 is subject to no other ADR requirement, and up to 30 ml of Class 3, 8 or 9 goods per primary receptacle may be included.
| Value | Applies when |
|---|---|
| 50 mm | minimum side of the UN3373 diamond mark |
| 6 mm | minimum height of letters and numbers in the mark and proper shipping name |
| 100 mm | minimum dimension of at least one outer surface (100 mm x 100 mm) |
| 1.2 m | drop height the completed package must withstand |
| 95 kPa | internal pressure the primary or secondary must withstand for liquids |
| 30 ml | maximum Class 3, 8 or 9 goods per primary receptacle |
Refers to: 5.5.3; 4.1.8.7.
Carried by 2 Table A entries
Source: ADR 2025 (ECE/TRANS/352), Volume II, section 4.1.4.1, P650, page 131.
Paraphrase in FreightUtils' own words, not the official text. Not yet reviewed.
ADR 2027 amendments (accepted, applying from 1 January 2027) are not yet reflected on this page.