SpeciSafe®
Complete Secondary Packaging

SpeciSafe® is a unique, easy-to-use and cost-effective packaging solution for convenient transport of Category B biological samples and patient specimens in accordance with UN3373 regulations and P650 packaging instructions.

SpeciSafe® is an all-in-one secondary packaging system that makes patient sample packaging much less of a chore. 

SpeciSafe® packs include a bonded ultra-absorbent material together with built in tube separation, within an easy to use rigid clam-shell design.

The robust, blister type, leak-proof pack simply encloses the sample container and protects it in the sealed casing ready for transportation according to UN3373 regulations. The built-in gel block absorbent layer saves time and materials as vials do not need to be separately wrapped.

SpeciSafe® packs are available in a wide range of design options to fit the most commonly used 95 kPa sample vessels.  Custom designed solutions can also be manufactured on request. 

For Road Transport

SpeciSafe packs need to be used with primary containers which are certified to have passed a 95kPa pressure differential test at ambient temperature. The SpeciSafe packs can be placed directly in a padded envelope or bag, ready for posting. What’s more, the dimensions of most SpeciSafe packs minimises postage costs. Depending on the sample vial size they can be mailed at large letter or small packet rate. SpeciSafe packs are available in a range of designs to fit perfectly around commonly used 95 kPa sample vessels.

For Air Transport

SpeciSafe packs need to be used with primary containers which are certified to have passed a 95kPa pressure differential test to IATA standards ie. the primary container can maintain a 95kPA pressure differential at both -40C and +55C. For air transport, the outer packaging must be rigid so SpeciSafe should be teamed with an outer rigid box.  

Applications

SpeciSafe replaces secondary packaging for mailing Category B samples contained in 95kPa vials.

It combines the absorbent material, vial separation and rigid container within a single pre-moulded mailing pack.

You then only need to add a UN3373 labelled envelope or box as your outer packaging, saving you time and money.

Benefits

Quick, Convenient, Compliant, Cost-Effective

  • Internationally used UK patented manufacturing technology

  • Shock resistant primary container protection with multiple vial separation built-in

  • Clear plastic enables sample details to be visible without unpacking

  • Gel block built in absorbency – absolutely no leaks!

  • Save time - no need to wrap each vial separately in absorbent material

Built in Ultra Absorbent Lining

The unique feature of SpeciSafe® packaging products is an internally bonded super absorbent lining which soaks up any leakage in seconds. The material is so absorbent that 1m2 can soak up as much as 20 litres of liquid. Once the lining has absorbed its maximum amount of liquid, it becomes a watertight barrier and effectively seals the SpeciSafe pack preventing any leakage from the secondary container.

  • User friendly, quick and intuitive use

  • Visible spillage indication protects all users

  • Compliant flat design minimises postage costs (Wherever possible due to the size of the primary container, the SpeciSafe mailing pack is designed to be postable at the standard letter rate, minimising postage costs)

  • Available as a complete “turnkey” package

  • Inexpensive especially when compared to alternative options

  • Compliant to UN3373 regulations when used with 95kPa primary containers (The lining is bonded to a rigid container moulded in a range of designs to fit perfectly around commonly used 95 kPa sample vessels)

How to Transport Biological Samples

UN3373 Standard Key Requirements

The packaging must be of good quality and strong enough to withstand the shocks and loadings normally encountered during transport. It must prevent any loss of contents that could occur due to vibration or changes in temperature, humidity or pressure. The P650 packaging instructions for liquid substances state:-

a) The primary receptacle(s) shall be leak proof;

b) The secondary packaging shall be leak proof;

c) If multiple fragile primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they shall be either individually wrapped or separated to prevent contact between them;

d) Absorbent material shall be placed between the primary receptacles(s) and the secondary packaging. The absorbent material shall be in quantity sufficient to absorb the entire contents of the primary receptacle(s) so that any release of the liquid substance will not compromise the integrity of the cushioning material or of the outer packaging;

e) The primary receptacle or the secondary packaging shall be capable of withstanding, without leakage, an internal pressure of 95 kPa (0.95 bar).

To date laboratory personnel have had to fashion various packaging solutions to meet the UN3373 requirements to transport patient samples. These include wrapping the primary container in an absorbent material, placing this in a sealed plastic bag and then putting all this into a rigid box. This requires multiple materials and can result in mailing packages being of considerable size, increasing the cost of postage.

SpeciSafe is the convenient and safe solution that is designed specifically for a wide range of commonly used sample containers. It incorporates an ultra absorbent lining in a compact pack that enables visibility of the contents and economical postage.