Chapter 2.7

  2.7.1.1 Radioactive material means any material containing radionuclides where both the activity concentration and the total activity in the consignment exceed the values specified in 2.7.2.2.1 to 2.7.2.2.6.

  2.7.1.2 Contamination

  Contamination means the presence of a radioactive substance on a surface in quantities in excess of 0.4 Bq/cm² for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters, or 0.04 Bq/cm² for all other alpha emitters.

  Non-fixed contamination means contamination that can be removed from a surface during routine conditions of transport.

  Fixed contamination means contamination other than non-fixed contamination.

  2.7.1.3 Definitions of specific terms

  A₁ and A₂

  A₁ means the activity value of special form radioactive material which is listed in the Table in 2.7.2.2.1 or derived in 2.7.2.2.2 and is used to determine the activity limits for the provisions of this Code.

  A₂ means the activity value of radioactive material, other than special form radioactive material, which is listed in the Table in 2.7.2.2.1 or derived in 2.7.2.2.2 and is used to determine the activity limits for the provisions of this Code.

  Fissile material means uranium-233, uranium-235, plutonium-239, plutonium-241, or any combination of these radionuclides. Excepted from this definition is:

• .1 Natural uranium or depleted uranium which is unirradiated; and

• .2 Natural uranium or depleted uranium which has been irradiated in thermal reactors only.

  Low dispersible radioactive material means either a solid radioactive material or a solid radioactive material in a sealed capsule, that has limited dispersibility and is not in powder form.

  Low specific activity (LSA) material means radioactive material which by its nature has a limited specific activity, or radioactive material for which limits of estimated average specific activity apply. External shielding materials surrounding the LSA material shall not be considered in determining the estimated average specific activity.

  Low toxicity alpha emitters are: natural uranium; depleted uranium; natural thorium; uranium-235 or uranium-238; thorium-232; thorium-228 and thorium-230 when contained in ores or physical and chemical concentrates; or alpha emitters with a half-life of less than 10 days.

  Specific activity of a radionuclide means the activity per unit mass of that nuclide. The specific activity of a material shall mean the activity per unit mass of the material in which the radionuclides are essentially uniformly distributed.

  Special form radioactive material means either:

• .1 An indispersible solid radioactive material; or

• .2 A sealed capsule containing radioactive material.

  Surface contaminated object (SCO) means a solid object which is not itself radioactive but which has radioactive material distributed on its surfaces.

  Unirradiated thorium means thorium containing not more than 10^-7 g of uranium-233 per gram of thorium-232.

  Unirradiated uranium means uranium containing not more than 2 x 10³ Bq of plutonium per gram of uranium-235, not more than 9 x 10⁶ Bq of fission products per gram of uranium-235 and not more than 5 x 10^-3 g of uranium-236 per gram of uranium-235.

  Uranium – natural, depleted, enriched means the following:

  Natural uranium means uranium (which may be chemically separated) containing the naturally occurring distribution of uranium isotopes (approximately 99.28% uranium-238, and 0.72% uranium-235 by mass).

  Depleted uranium means uranium containing a lesser mass percentage of uranium-235 than in natural uranium.

  Enriched uranium means uranium containing a greater mass percentage of uranium-235 than 0.72%.

 In all cases, a very small mass percentage of uranium-234 is present.

  2.7.2.1 General provisions

  2.7.2.1.1 Radioactive material shall be assigned to one of the UN number specified in Table 2.7.2.1.1 depending on the activity level of the radionuclides contained in a package, the fissile or non-fissile properties of these radionuclides, the type of package to be presented for transport, and the nature or form of the contents of the package, or special arrangements governing the transport operation, in accordance with the provisions laid down in 2.7.2.2 to 2.7.2.5.

  2.7.2.2 Determination of activity level

  2.7.2.2.1 The following basic values for individual radionuclides are given in Table 2.7.2.2.1:

• .1 A₁ and A₂ in TBq;

• .2 Activity concentration for exempt material in Bq/g; and

• .3 Activity limits for exempt consignments in Bq.

  Table 2.7.2.2.1: Basic radionuclides values for individual radionuclides

 Insert existing Table 2.7.7.2.1 with footnotes (a) – (g)

  2.7.2.2.2 For individual radionuclides which are not listed in Table 2.7.2.2.1 the determination of the basic radionuclide values referred to in 2.7.2.2.1 shall require multilateral approval. It is permissible to use an A2 value calculated using a dose coefficient for the appropriate lung absorption type as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, if the chemical forms of each radionuclide under both normal and accident conditions of transport are taken into consideration. Alternatively, the radionuclide values in Table 2.7.2.2.2 may be used without obtaining competent authority approval.

  Table 2.7.2.2.2: Basic radionuclide values for unknown radionuclides or mixtures

  2.7.2.2.3 In the calculations of A₁ and A₂ for a radionuclide not in Table 2.7.2.2.1, a single radioactive decay chain in which the radionuclides are present in their naturally occurring proportions, and in which no daughter nuclide has a half-life either longer than 10 days or longer than that of the parent nuclide, shall be considered as a single radionuclide; and the activity to be taken into account and the A₁ or A₂ value to be applied shall be those corresponding to the parent nuclide of that chain. In the case of radioactive decay chains in which any daughter nuclide has a half-life either longer than 10 days or greater than that of the parent nuclide, the parent and such daughter nuclides shall be considered as mixtures of different nuclides.

  2.7.2.2.4 For mixtures of radionuclides, the determination of the basic radionuclide values referred to in 2.7.2.2.1 may be determined as follows:

• where:

• f(i) is the fraction of activity or activity concentration of radionuclide i in the mixture;

• X(i) is the appropriate value of A₁ or A₂, or the activity concentration for exempt material or the activity limit for an exempt consignment as appropriate for the radionuclide i; and

• X_m is the derived value of A₁ or A₂, or the activity concentration for exempt material or the activity limit for an exempt consignment in the case of a mixture.

  2.7.2.2.5 When the identity of each radionuclide is known but the individual activities of some of the radionuclides are not known, the radionuclides may be grouped and the lowest radionuclide value, as appropriate, for the radionuclides in each group may be used in applying the formulae in 2.7.2.2.4 and 2.7.2.4.4. Groups may be based on the total alpha activity and the total beta/gamma activity when these are known, using the lowest radionuclide values for the alpha emitters or beta/gamma emitters, respectively.

  2.7.2.2.6 For individual radionuclides or for mixtures of radionuclides for which relevant data are not available, the values shown in Table 2.7.2.2.2 shall be used.

  2.7.2.3 Determination of other material characteristics

  2.7.2.3.1 Low specific activity (LSA) material

  2.7.2.3.1.1 (Reserved)

  2.7.2.3.1.2 LSA material shall be in one of three groups:

• .1 LSA-I

  • (i) uranium and thorium ores and concentrates of such ores, and other ores containing naturally occurring radionuclides which are intended to be processed for the use of these radionuclides;

  • (ii) Natural uranium, depleted uranium, natural thorium or their compounds or mixtures, providing they are unirradiated and in solid or liquid form;

  • (iii) radioactive material for which the A₂ value is unlimited, excluding material classified as fissile according to 2.7.2.3.5; or

  • (iv) other radioactive material in which the activity is distributed throughout and the estimated average specific activity does not exceed 30 times the values for activity concentration specified in 2.7.2.2.1 to 2.7.2.2.6, excluding material classified as fissile according to 2.7.2.3.5;

• .2 LSA-II

  • (i) water with tritium concentration up to 0.8 TBq/⋉; or

  • (ii) other material in which the activity is distributed throughout and the estimated average specific activity does not exceed 10^-4 A₂/g for solids and gases, and 10^-5 A₂/g for liquids;

• .3 LSA-III – Solids (e.g., consolidated wastes, activated materials), excluding powders, in which:

  • (i) the radioactive material is distributed throughout a solid or a collection of solid objects, or is essentially uniformly distributed in a solid compact binding agent (such as concrete, bitumen, ceramic, etc.);

  • (ii) the radioactive material is relatively insoluble, or it is intrinsically contained in a relatively insoluble matrix, so that, even under loss of packaging, the loss of radioactive material per package by leaching when placed in water for seven days would not exceed 0.1 A₂; and

  • (iii) the estimated average specific activity of the solid, excluding any shielding material, does not exceed 2 x 10^-3 A₂/g.

  2.7.2.3.1.3 LSA-III material shall be a solid of such a nature that if the entire contents of a package were subjected to the test specified in 2.7.2.3.1.4 the activity in the water would not exceed 0.1 A₂.

  2.7.2.3.1.4 LSA-III material shall be tested as follows:

 A solid material sample representing the entire contents of the package shall be immersed for 7 days in water at ambient temperature. The volume of water to be used in the test shall be sufficient to ensure that at the end of the 7-day test period the free volume of the unabsorbed and unreacted water remaining shall be at least 10% of the volume of the solid test sample itself. The water shall have an initial pH of 6 - 8 and a maximum conductivity of 1 mS/m at 20°C. The total activity of the free volume of water shall be measured following the 7-day immersion of the test sample.

  2.7.2.3.1.5 Demonstration of compliance with the performance standards in 2.7.2.3.1.4 shall be in accordance with 6.4.12.1 and 6.4.12.2.

  2.7.2.3.2 Surface contaminated object (SCO)

 SCO is classified in one of two groups:

• .1 SCO-I: A solid object on which:

  • (i) the non-fixed contamination on the accessible surface averaged over 300 cm² (or the area of the surface if less than 300 cm²) does not exceed 4 Bq/cm² for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters, or 0.4 Bq/cm² for all other alpha emitters;

  • (ii) the fixed contamination on the accessible surface averaged over 300 cm² (or the area of the surface if less than 300 cm²) does not exceed 4 x 104 Bq/cm² for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters, or 4 x 103 Bq/cm² for all other alpha emitters; and

  • (iii) the non-fixed contamination plus the fixed contamination on the inaccessible surface averaged over 300 cm² (or the area of the surface if less than 300 cm²) does not exceed 4 x 104 Bq/cm² for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters, or 4 x 103 Bq/cm² for all other alpha emitters;

• .2 SCO-II: A solid object on which either the fixed or non-fixed contamination on the surface exceeds the applicable limits specified for SCO-I in 2.7.2.3.2.1 above and on which:

  • (i) the non-fixed contamination on the accessible surface averaged over 300 cm² (or the area of the surface if less than 300 cm²) does not exceed 400 Bq/cm² for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters, or 40 Bq/cm² for all other alpha emitters;

  • (ii) the fixed contamination on the accessible surface, averaged over 300 cm² (or the area of the surface if less than 300 cm²) does not exceed 8 x 105 Bq/cm² for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters, or 8 x 104 Bq/cm² for all other alpha emitters; and

  • (iii) the non-fixed contamination plus the fixed contamination on the inaccessible surface averaged over 300 cm² (or the area of the surface if less than 300 cm²) does not exceed 8 x 105 Bq/cm² for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters, or 8 x 104 Bq/cm² for all other alpha emitters.

  2.7.2.3.3 Special form radioactive material

 2.7.2.3.3.1

• .1 Special form radioactive material shall have at least one dimension not less than 5 mm.

• .2 When a sealed capsule constitutes part of the special form radioactive material, the capsule shall be so manufactured that it can be opened only by destroying it.

• .3 The design for special form radioactive material requires unilateral approval.

  2.7.2.3.3.2 Special form radioactive material shall be of such a nature or shall be so designed that if it is subjected to the tests specified in 2.7.2.3.3.4 to 2.7.2.3.3.8, it shall meet the following requirements:

• .1 It would not break or shatter under the impact, percussion and bending tests 2.7.2.3.3.5.1, 2.7.2.3.3.5.2, 2.7.2.3.3.5.3, or 2.7.2.3.3.6.1 as applicable;

• .2 It would not melt or disperse in the applicable heat test 2.7.2.3.3.5.4 or 2.7.2.3.3.6.2 as applicable; and

• .3 The activity in the water from the leaching tests specified in 2.7.2.3.3.7 and 2.7.2.3.3.8 would not exceed 2 kBq; or alternatively for sealed sources, the leakage rate for the volumetric leakage assessment test specified in ISO 9978:1992 “Radiation Protection – Sealed Radioactive Sources – Leakage Test Methods”, would not exceed the applicable acceptance threshold acceptable to the competent authority.

  2.7.2.3.3.3 Demonstration of compliance with the performance standards in 2.7.2.3.3.2 shall be in accordance with 6.4.12.1 and 6.4.12.2.

  2.7.2.3.3.4 Specimens that comprise or simulate special form radioactive material shall be subjected to the impact test, the percussion test, the bending test, and the heat test specified in 2.7.2.3.3.5 or alternative tests as authorized in 2.7.2.3.3.6. A different specimen may be used for each of the tests. Following each test, a leaching assessment or volumetric leakage test shall be performed on the specimen by a method no less sensitive than the methods given in 2.7.2.3.3.7 for indispersible solid material or 2.7.2.3.3.8 for encapsulated material.

  2.7.2.3.3.5 The relevant test methods are:

• .1 Impact test: The specimen shall drop onto the target from a height of 9 m. The target shall be as defined in 6.4.14;

• .2 Percussion test: The specimen shall be placed on a sheet of lead which is supported by a smooth solid surface and struck by the flat face of a mild steel bar so as to cause an impact equivalent to that resulting from a free drop of 1.4 kg through 1 m. The lower part of the bar shall be 25 mm in diameter with the edges rounded off to a radius of (3.0 ± 0.3) mm. The lead, of hardness number 3.5 to 4.5 on the Vickers scale and not more than 25 mm thick, shall cover an area greater than that covered by the specimen. A fresh surface of lead shall be used for each impact. The bar shall strike the specimen so as to cause maximum damage;

• .3 Bending test: The test shall apply only to long, slender sources with both a minimum length of 10 cm and a length to minimum width ratio of not less than 10. The specimen shall be rigidly clamped in a horizontal position so that one half of its length protrudes from the face of the clamp. The orientation of the specimen shall be such that the specimen will suffer maximum damage when its free end is struck by the flat face of a steel bar. The bar shall strike the specimen so as to cause an impact equivalent to that resulting from a free vertical drop of 1.4 kg through 1 m. The lower part of the bar shall be 25 mm in diameter with the edges rounded off to a radius of (3.0 ± 0.3) mm;

• .4 Heat test: The specimen shall be heated in air to a temperature of 800°C and held at that temperature for a period of 10 minutes and shall then be allowed to cool.

  2.7.2.3.3.6 Specimens that comprise or simulate radioactive material enclosed in a sealed capsule may be excepted from:

• .1 The tests prescribed in 2.7.2.3.3.5.1 and 2.7.2.3.3.5.2 provided the mass of the special form radioactive material:

  • (i) is less than 200 g and they are alternatively subjected to the class 4 impact test prescribed in ISO 2919:1999 “Radiation protection – Sealed radioactive sources – General requirements and classification”; or

  • (ii) is less than 500 g and they are alternatively subjected to the class 5 impact test prescribed in ISO 2919:1999 “Radiation protection – Sealed radioactive sources – General requirements and classification”; and

• .2 The test prescribed in 2.7.2.3.3.5.4 provided they are alternatively subjected to the class 6 temperature test specified in ISO 2919:1999 “Radiation protection – Sealed radioactive sources – General requirements and classification”.

  2.7.2.3.3.7 For specimens which comprise or simulate indispersible solid material, a leaching assessment shall be performed as follows:

• .1 The specimen shall be immersed for 7 days in water at ambient temperature. The volume of water to be used in the test shall be sufficient to ensure that at the end of the 7 day test period the free volume of the unabsorbed and unreacted water remaining shall be at least 10% of the volume of the solid test sample itself. The water shall have an initial pH of 6 - 8 and a maximum conductivity of 1 mS/m at 20°C;

• .2 The water with specimen shall then be heated to a temperature of (50 ± 5) °C and maintained at this temperature for 4 hours;

• .3 The activity of the water shall then be determined;

• .4 The specimen shall then be kept for at least 7 days in still air at not less than 30°C and relative humidity not less than 90%;

• .5 The specimen shall then be immersed in water of the same specification as in 2.7.2.3.3.7.1 above and the water with the specimen heated to (50 ± 5) °C and maintained at this temperature for 4 hours;

• .6 The activity of the water shall then be determined.

  2.7.2.3.3.8 For specimens which comprise or simulate radioactive material enclosed in a sealed capsule, either a leaching assessment or a volumetric leakage assessment shall be performed as follows:

• .1 The leaching assessment shall consist of the following steps:

  • (i) the specimen shall be immersed in water at ambient temperature. The water shall have an initial pH of 6 – 8 with a maximum conductivity of 1 mS/m at 20°C;

  • (ii) the water and specimen shall be heated to a temperature of (50 ± 5) °C and maintained at this temperature for 4 hours;

  • (iii) the activity of the water shall then be determined;

  • (iv) the specimen shall then be kept for at least 7 days in still air at not less than 30°C and relative humidity of not less than 90%;

  • (v) the process in (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be repeated.

• .2 The alternative volumetric leakage assessment shall comprise any of the tests prescribed in ISO 9978:1992 “Radiation Protection – Sealed radioactive sources – Leakage test methods”, which are acceptable to the competent authority.

  2.7.2.3.4 Low dispersible material

  2.7.2.3.4.1 The design for low dispersible radioactive material shall require multilateral approval. Low dispersible radioactive material shall be such that the total amount of this radioactive material in a package shall meet the following provisions:

• .1 The radiation level at 3 m from the unshielded radioactive material does not exceed 10 mSv/h;

• .2 If subjected to the tests specified in 6.4.20.3 and 6.4.20.4, the airborne release in gaseous and particulate forms of up to 100 μm aerodynamic equivalent diameter would not exceed 100 A_2. A separate specimen may be used for each test; and

• .3 If subjected to the test specified in 2.7.2.3.1.4 the activity in the water would not exceed 100 A₂. In the application of this test, the damaging effects of the tests specified in 2.7.2.3.4.1.2 above shall be taken into account.

  2.7.2.3.4.2 Low dispersible material shall be tested as follows:

 A specimen that comprises or simulates low dispersible radioactive material shall be subjected to the enhanced thermal test specified in 6.4.20.3 and the impact test specified in 6.4.20.4. A different specimen may be used for each of the tests. Following each test, the specimen shall be subjected to the leach test specified in 2.7.2.3.1.4. After each test it shall be determined if the applicable provisions of 2.7.2.3.4.1 have been met.

  2.7.2.3.4.3 Demonstration of compliance with the performance standards in 2.7.2.3.4.1 and 2.7.2.3.4.2 shall be in accordance with 6.4.12.1 and 6.4.12.2.

  2.7.2.3.5 Fissile material

 Packages containing fissile radionuclides shall be classified under the relevant entry of table 2.7.2.1.1 for fissile material unless one of the conditions .1 to .4 of this paragraph is met. Only one type of exception is allowed per consignment.

• .1 A mass limit per consignment such that:

• • where X and Y are the mass limits defined in Table 2.7.2.3.5, provided that the smallest external dimension of each package is not less than 10 cm and that either:

  • (i) each individual package contains not more than 15 g of fissile material; for unpackaged material, this quantity limitation shall apply to the consignment being carried in or on the conveyance; or

  • (ii) the fissile material is a homogeneous hydrogenous solution or mixture where the ratio of fissile nuclides to hydrogen is less than 5% by mass; or

  • (iii) there are not more than 5 g of fissile material in any 10 litre volume of material.

  • Neither beryllium nor deuterium shall be present in quantities exceeding 1% of the applicable consignment mass limits provided in Table 2.7.2.3.5, except for deuterium in natural concentration in hydrogen.

• .2 Uranium enriched in uranium-235 to a maximum of 1% by mass, and with a total plutonium and uranium-233 content not exceeding 1% of the mass of uranium-235, provided that the fissile material is distributed essentially homogeneously throughout the material. In addition, if uranium-235 is present in metallic, oxide or carbide forms, it shall not form a lattice arrangement;

• .3 Liquid solutions of uranyl nitrate enriched in uranium-235 to a maximum of 2% by mass, with a total plutonium and uranium-233 content not exceeding 0.002% of the mass of uranium, and with a minimum nitrogen to uranium atomic ratio (N/U) of 2;

• .4 Packages containing, individually, a total plutonium mass not more than 1 kg, of which not more than 20% by mass may consist of plutonium-239, plutonium-241 or any combination of those radionuclides.

  Table 2.7.2.3.5 Consignment mass limits for exceptions from the requirements for packages containing fissile material

  2.7.2.4 Classification of packages or unpacked material

 The quantity of radioactive material in a package shall not exceed the relevant limits for the package type as specified below.

  2.7.2.4.1 Classification as excepted package

  2.7.2.4.1.1 Packages may be classified as excepted packages if:

• .1 They are empty packagings having contained radioactive material;

• .2 They contain instruments or articles in limited quantities;

• .3 They contain articles manufactured of natural uranium, depleted uranium or natural thorium; or

• .4 They contain radioactive material in limited quantities.

  2.7.2.4.1.2 A package containing radioactive material may be classified as an excepted package provided that the radiation level at any point on its external surface does not exceed 5 μSv/h.

  Table 2.7.2.4.1.2: Activity limits for excepted packages

  2.7.2.4.1.3 Radioactive material which is enclosed in or is included as a component part of an instrument or other manufactured article may be classified under UN 2911, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, EXCEPTED PACKAGE – INSTRUMENTS or ARTICLES provided that:

• .1 the radiation level at 10 cm from any point on the external surface of any unpackaged instrument or article is not greater than 0.1 mSv/h; and

• .2 each instrument or manufactured article bears the marking “RADIOACTIVE” except:

  • (i) radioluminescent time-pieces or devices;

  • (ii) consumer products that either have received regulatory approval according to 1.5.1.4.4 or do not individually exceed the activity limit for an exempt consignment in Table 2.7.2.2.1 (column 5), provided such products are transported in a package that bears the marking “RADIOACTIVE” on an internal surface in such a manner that warning of the presence of radioactive material is visible on opening the package; and

• .3 the active material is completely enclosed by non-active components (a device performing the sole function of containing radioactive material shall not be considered to be an instrument or manufactured article); and

• .4 the limits specified in columns 2 and 3 of Table 2.7.2.4.1.2 are met for each individual item and each package, respectively.

  2.7.2.4.1.4 Radioactive material with an activity not exceeding the limit specified in column 4 of Table 2.7.2.4.1.2, may be classified under UN 2910, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, EXCEPTED PACKAGE – LIMITED QUANTITY OF MATERIAL provided that:

• .1 the package retains its radioactive contents under routine conditions of transport; and

• .2 the package bears the marking “RADIOACTIVE” on an internal surface in such a manner that a warning of the presence of radioactive material is visible on opening the package.

  2.7.2.4.1.5 An empty packaging which had previously contained radioactive material with an activity not exceeding the limit specified in column 4 of Table 2.7.2.4.1.2 may be classified under UN 2908, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, EXCEPTED PACKAGE – EMPTY PACKAGING, provided that:

• .1 it is in a well-maintained condition and securely closed;

• .2 the outer surface of any uranium or thorium in its structure is covered with an inactive sheath made of metal or some other substantial material;

• .3 the level of internal non-fixed contamination, when averaged over any 300 cm², does not exceed:

  • (i) 400 Bq/cm² for beta and gamma emitters and low toxicity alpha emitters; and

  • (ii) 40 Bq/cm² for all other alpha emitters; and

• 4 any labels which may have been displayed on it in conformity with 5.2.2.1.12.1 are no longer visible.

  2.7.2.4.1.6 Articles manufactured of natural uranium, depleted uranium or natural thorium and articles in which the sole radioactive material is unirradiated natural uranium, unirradiated depleted uranium or unirradiated natural thorium may be classified under UN 2909, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, EXCEPTED PACKAGE – ARTICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NATURAL URANIUM or DEPLETED URANIUM or NATURAL THORIUM, provided that the outer surface of the uranium or thorium is enclosed in an inactive sheath made of metal or some other substantial material.

  2.7.2.4.2 Classification as Low specific activity (LSA) material

 Radioactive material may only be classified as LSA material if the conditions of 2.7.2.3.1 and 4.1.9.2 are met.

  2.7.2.4.3 Classification as Surface contaminated object (SCO)

 Radioactive material may be classified as SCO if the conditions of 2.7.2.3.2.1 and 4.1.9.2 are met.

  2.7.2.4.4 Classification as Type A package

 Packages containing radioactive material may be classified as Type A packages provided that the following conditions are met:

 Type A packages shall not contain activities greater than the following:

• .1 For special form radioactive material – A₁; or

• .2 For all other radioactive material – A₂.

 For mixtures of radionuclides whose identities and respective activities are known, the following condition shall apply to the radioactive contents of a Type A package:

 where:

• B(i) is the activity of radionuclide I as special form radioactive material

• A₁(i) is the A₁ value for radionuclide i;

• C (j) is the activity of radionuclide j as other than special form radioactive material; and

• A₂(j) is the A₂ value for radionuclide j.

  2.7.2.4.5 Classification of Uranium hexafluoride

 Uranium hexafluoride shall only be assigned to UN No.2977, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE, FISSILE, or 2978, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL, URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE, non-fissile or fissile-excepted.

  2.7.2.4.5.1 Packages containing uranium hexafluoride shall not contain:

• .1 a mass of uranium hexafluoride different from that authorized for the package design;

• .2 a mass of uranium hexafluoride greater than a value that would lead to an ullage smaller than 5% at the maximum temperature of the package as specified for the plant systems where the package shall be used; or

• .3 Uranium hexafluoride other than in solid form or at an internal pressure above atmospheric pressure when presented for transport.

  2.7.2.4.6 Classification as Type B(U), Type B(M) or Type C packages

  2.7.2.4.6.1 Packages not otherwise classified in 2.7.2.4 (2.7.2.4.1 to 2.7.2.4.5) shall be classified in accordance with the competent authority approval certificate for the package issued by the country of origin of design.

  2.7.2.4.6.2 A package may only be classified as a Type B(U) if it does not contain:

• .1 activities greater than those authorized for the package design;

• .2 Radionuclides different from those authorized for the package design; or

• .3 contents in a form, or a physical or chemical state different from those authorized for the package design;

• as specified in the certificate of approval.

  2.7.2.4.6.3 A package may only be classified as a Type B(M) if it does not contain:

• .1 activities greater than those authorized for the package design;

• .2 Radionuclides different from those authorized for the package design; or

• .3 contents in a form, or a physical or chemical state different from those authorized for the package design,

 as specified in the certificate of approval.

  2.7.2.4.6.4 A package may only be classified as a Type C if it does not contain:

• .1 activities greater than those authorized for the package design;

• .2 Radionuclides different from those authorized for the package design; or

• .3 contents in a form, or physical or chemical state different from those authorized for the package design,

 as specified in the certificate of approval.

  2.7.2.5 Special arrangements

 Radioactive material shall be classified as transported under special arrangement when it is intended to be transported in accordance with 1.5.4.”

  Consequential amendments

  Contents page:

  2.7.1 to 2.7.10 Delete entries

  2.7.1 Insert “2.7.1 Definitions”

  2.7.2 Insert “2.7.2 Classification”

 Amend all references to renumbered paragraphs of chapter 2.7:

  2.9.3.1 General definitions

  2.9.3.1.1 Environmentally hazardous substances include, inter alia, liquid or solid substances pollutant to the aquatic environment and solutions and mixtures of such substances (such as preparations and wastes).

 For the purposes of this section,

 “Substance” means chemical elements and their compounds in the natural state or obtained by any impurities deriving from the process used, but excluding any solvent which may be separated without affecting the stability of the substance or changing its composition.

  2.9.3.1.2 The aquatic environment may be considered in terms of the aquatic organisms that live in the water, and the aquatic ecosystem of which they are part^footnote. The basis, therefore, of the identification of hazard is the aquatic toxicity of the substance or mixture, although this may be modified by further information on the degradation and bioaccumulation behaviour.

  2.9.3.1.3 While the following classification procedure is intended to apply to all substances and mixtures, it is recognized that in some cases, e.g., metals or poorly soluble inorganic compounds, special guidance will be necessary^2footnote.

  2.9.3.1.4 The following definitions apply for acronyms or terms used in this section:

  BCF Bioconcentration Factor;

  BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand;

  COD Chemical Oxygen Demand;

  GLP Good Laboratory Practices;

  EC₅₀ the effective concentration of substance that causes 50% of the maximum response;

  ErC₅₀ EC₅₀ in terms of reduction of growth;

  K_ow octanol/water partition coefficient;

  LC₅₀ (50% lethal concentration) the concentration of a substance in water which causes the death of 50% (one half) in a group of test animals;

  L(E)C₅₀ LC₅₀ or EC₅₀;

  NOEC No Observed Effect Concentration;

  OECD Test Guidelines Test guidelines published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

  2.9.3.2 Definitions and data requirements

  2.9.3.2.1 The basic elements for classification of environmentally hazardous substances (aquatic environment) are:

• – acute aquatic toxicity;

• – potential for or actual bioaccumulation;

• – degradation (biotic or abiotic) for organic chemicals; and

• – chronic aquatic toxicity.

  2.9.3.2.2 While data from internationally harmonized test methods are preferred, in practice, data from national methods may also be used where they are considered as equivalent. In general, freshwater and marine species toxicity data can be considered as equivalent data and are preferably to be derived using OECD Test Guidelines or equivalent according to the principles of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). Where such data are not available, classification shall be based on the best available data.

  2.9.3.2.3 Acute aquatic toxicity shall normally be determined using a fish 96 hour LC₅₀ (OECD Test Guideline 203 or equivalent), a crustacea species 48 hour EC₅₀ (OECD Test Guideline 202 or equivalent) and/or an algal species 72 or 96 hour EC₅₀ (OECD Test Guideline 201 or equivalent). These species are considered as surrogates for all aquatic organisms. Data on other species such as Lemna may also be considered if the test methodology is suitable.

  2.9.3.2.4 Bioaccumulation means net result of uptake, transformation and elimination of a substance in an organism due to all routes of exposure (i.e. air, water, sediment/soil and food). The potential for bioaccumulation shall normally be determined by using the octanol/water partition coefficient, usually reported as a log K_ow determined according to OECD Test Guideline 107 or 117. While this represents a potential to bioaccumulate, an experimentally determined Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) provides a better measure and shall be used in preference when available. A BCF shall be determined according to OECD Test Guideline 305.

  2.9.3.2.5 Environmental degradation may be biotic or abiotic (eg. hydrolysis) and the criteria used reflect this fact. Ready biodegradation is most easily defined using the OECD biodegradability tests (OECD Test Guideline 301 (A - F)). A pass level in these tests may be considered as indicative of rapid degradation in most aquatic environments. As these are freshwater tests, use of results from OECD Test Guideline 306, which is more suitable for the marine environment, is also included. Where such data are not available, a BOD (5 days)/COD ratio ≥0.5 is considered as indicative of rapid degradation. Abiotic degradation such as hydrolysis, primary degradation, both abiotic and biotic, degradation in non-aquatic media and proven rapid degradation in the environment may all be considered in defining rapid degradability^footnote.

  2.9.3.2.5.1 Substances are considered rapidly degradable in the environment if the following criteria are met:

• .1 In 28-day ready biodegradation studies, the following levels of degradation are achieved:

  • (I) tests based on dissolved organic carbon: 70%;

  • (II) tests based on oxygen depletion or carbon dioxide generation: 60% of theoretical maxima;

 These levels of biodegradation shall be achieved within 10 days of the start of degradation which point is taken as the time when 10% of the substance has been degraded; or

• .2 In those cases where only BOD and COD data are available, when the ratio of BOD₅/COD is ≥ 0.5; or

• .3 If other convincing scientific evidence is available to demonstrate that the substance or mixture can be degraded (biotically and/or abiotically) in the aquatic environment to a level above 70% within a 28 day period.

  2.9.3.2.6 Chronic toxicity data are less available than acute data and the range of testing procedures less standardized. Data generated according to the OECD Test Guidelines 210 (Fish Early Life Stage) or 211 (Daphnia Reproduction) and 201 (Algal Growth Inhibition) may be accepted. Other validated and internationally accepted tests may also be used. The “No Observed Effect Concentrations” (NOECs) or other equivalent L(E)Cx shall be used.

  2.9.3.3 Substance classification categories and criteria

  2.9.3.3.1 Substances shall be classified as “environmentally hazardous substances (aquatic environment)”, if they satisfy the criteria for Acute 1, Chronic 1 or Chronic 2, according to the following tables:

 The classification flowchart below outlines the process to be followed.

Figure 1

  2.9.3.4 Mixtures classification categories and criteria

  2.9.3.4.1 The classification system for mixtures covers the classification categories which are used for substances meaning acute category 1 and chronic categories 1 and 2. In order to make use of all available data for purposes of classifying the aquatic environmental hazards of the mixture, the following assumption is made and is applied, where appropriate:

 The “relevant ingredients” of a mixture are those which are present in a concentration of 1% by mass or greater, unless there is a presumption (e.g., in the case of highly toxic ingredients) that an ingredient present at less than 1% can still be relevant for classifying the mixture for aquatic environmental hazards.

  2.9.3.4.2 The approach for classification of aquatic environmental hazards is tiered and dependent upon the type of information available for the mixture itself and its ingredients. Elements of the tiered approach include:

• .1 classification based on tested mixtures;

• .2 classification based on bridging principles;

• .3 the use of “summation of classified ingredients” and/or an “additivity formula”.

 Figure 2.9.1 below outlines the process to be followed.

  Figure 2.9.1: Tiered approach to classification of mixtures for acute and chronic aquatic environmental hazards

Figure 2.9.1

  2.9.3.4.3 Classification of mixtures when data are available for the complete mixture

  2.9.3.4.3.1 When the mixture as a whole has been tested to determine its aquatic toxicity, it shall be classified according to the criteria that have been agreed for substances, but only for acute toxicity. The classification is based on the data for fish, crustacea and algae/plants. Classification of mixtures by using LC₅₀ or EC₅₀ data for the mixture as a whole is not possible for chronic categories since both toxicity data and environmental fate data are needed, and there are no degradability and bioaccumulation data for mixtures as a whole. It is not possible to apply the criteria for chronic classification because the data from degradability and bio-accumulation tests of mixtures cannot be interpreted; they are meaningful only for single substances.

  2.9.3.4.3.2 When there is acute toxicity test data (LC₅₀ or EC₅₀) available for the mixture as a whole, this data as well as information with respect to the classification of ingredients for chronic toxicity shall be used to complete the classification for tested mixtures as follows. When chronic (long-term) toxicity data (NOEC) is also available, this shall be used in addition.

• .1 L(E)C₅₀ (LC₅₀ or EC₅₀) of the tested mixture ≤ 1 mg/l and NOEC of the tested mixture ≤ 1.0 mg/l or unknown:

  • - classify mixture as category acute 1;

  • - apply summation of classified ingredients approach (see 2.9.3.4.6.3 and 2.9.3.4.6.4) for chronic classification (chronic 1, 2, or no need of chronic classification).

• .2 L(E)C₅₀ of the tested mixture ≤ 1 mg/l and NOEC of the tested mixture > 1.0 mg/l:

  • - classify mixture as category acute 1;

  • - apply summation of classified ingredients approach (see 2.9.3.4.6.3 and 2.9.3.4.6.4) for classification as Category Chronic 1. If the mixture is not classified as Category Chronic 1, then there is no need for chronic classification.

• .3 L(E)C₅₀ of the tested mixture > 1 mg/l, or above the water solubility, and NOEC of the tested mixture ≤ 1.0 mg/l or unknown:

  • - no need to classify for acute toxicity;

  • - apply summation of classified ingredients approach (see 2.9.3.4.6.3 and 2.9.3.4.6.4) for chronic classification or no need for chronic classification.

• .4 L(E)C₅₀ of the tested mixture > 1 mg/l, or above the water solubility, and NOEC of the tested mixture > 1.0 mg/l:

  • - No need to classify for acute or chronic toxicity.

  2.9.3.4.4 Bridging principles

  2.9.3.4.4.1 Where the mixture itself has not been tested to determine its aquatic environmental hazard, but there are sufficient data on the individual ingredients and similar tested mixtures to adequately characterize the hazards of the mixture, this data shall be used in accordance with the following agreed bridging rules. This ensures that the classification process uses the available data to the greatest extent possible in characterizing the hazards of the mixture without the necessity for additional testing in animals.

  2.9.3.4.4.2 Dilution

  2.9.3.4.4.2.1 If a mixture is formed by diluting another classified mixture or a substance with a diluent which has an equivalent or lower aquatic hazard classification than the least toxic original ingredient and which is not expected to affect the aquatic hazards of other ingredients, then the mixture shall be classified as equivalent to the original mixture or substance.

  2.9.3.4.4.2.2 If a mixture is formed by diluting another classified mixture or a substance with water or other totally non-toxic material, the toxicity of the mixture shall be calculated from the original mixture or substance.

  2.9.3.4.4.3 Batching

  2.9.3.4.4.3.1 The aquatic hazard classification of one production batch of a complex mixture shall be assumed to be substantially equivalent to that of another production batch of the same commercial product and produced by or under the control of the same manufacturer, unless there is reason to believe there is significant variation such that the aquatic hazard classification of the batch has changed. If the latter occurs, new classification is necessary.

  2.9.3.4.4.4 Concentration of mixtures which are classified with the most severe classification categories (chronic 1 and acute 1)

  2.9.3.4.4.4.1 If a mixture is classified as chronic 1 and/or acute 1, and ingredients of the mixture which are classified as chronic 1 and/or acute 1 are further concentrated, the more concentrated mixture shall be classified with the same classification category as the original mixture without additional testing.

  2.9.3.4.4.5 Interpolation within one toxicity category

  2.9.3.4.4.5.1 If mixtures A and B are in the same classification category and mixture C is made in which the toxicologically active ingredients have concentrations intermediate to those in mixtures A and B, then mixture C shall be in the same category as A and B. Note that the identity of the ingredients is the same in all three mixtures.

  2.9.3.4.4.6 Substantially similar mixtures

  2.9.3.4.4.6.1 Given the following:

• .1 Two mixtures:

  • i) A + B

  • ii) C + B

• .2 The concentration of ingredient B is the same in both mixtures;

• .3 The concentration of ingredient A in mixture (i) equals that of component C in mixture (ii);

• .4 Classification for A and C are available and are the same, i.e. they are in the same hazard category and are not expected to affect the aquatic toxicity of B,

 then there shall be no need to test mixture (ii) if mixture (i) is already characterized by testing and both mixtures are classified in the same category.

  2.9.3.4.5 Classification of mixtures when data are available for all components or only for some components of the mixture

  2.9.3.4.5.1 The classification of a mixture shall be based on summation of the classification of its ingredients. The percentage of ingredients classified as “Acute” or “Chronic” will feed straight into the summation method. Details of the summation method are described in 2.9.3.4.6.1 to 2.9.3.4.6.4.1.

  2.9.3.4.5.2 Mixtures are often made of a combination of both ingredients that are classified (as Acute 1 and/or Chronic 1, 2) and those for which adequate test data is available. When adequate toxicity data is available for more than one ingredient in the mixture, the combined toxicity of those [components] shall be calculated using the following additivity formula, and the calculated toxicity shall be used to assign that portion of the mixture an acute toxicity hazard which is then subsequently used in applying the summation method.

 where:

• Ci = concentration of ingredient i (mass percentage);

• L(E)C₅₀I = (mg/l) LC₅₀ or EC₅₀ for ingredient i;

• n = number of ingredients, and i is running from 1 to n; and

• L(E)Cm = L(E)C₅₀ of the part of the mixture with test data

  2.9.3.4.5.3 When applying the additivity formula for part of the mixture, it is preferable to calculate the toxicity of this part of the mixture using for each substance toxicity values that relate to the same species (i.e. fish, daphnia or algae) and then to use the highest toxicity (lowest value) obtained (i.e. use the most sensitive of the three species). However, when toxicity data for each ingredient are not available in the same species, the toxicity value of each ingredient shall be selected in the same manner that toxicity values are selected for the classification of substances, i.e., the higher toxicity (from the most sensitive test organism) is used. The calculated acute toxicity shall then be used to classify this part of the mixture as Acute 1 using the same criteria described for substances.

  2.9.3.4.5.4 If a mixture is classified in more than one way, the method yielding the more conservative result shall be used.

  2.9.3.4.6 Summation method

  2.9.3.4.6.1 Classification procedure

  2.9.3.4.6.1.1 In general a more severe classification for mixtures overrides a less severe classification, e.g., a classification with chronic 1 overrides a classification with chronic 2. As a consequence the classification procedure is already completed if the results of the classification is chronic 1. A more severe classification than chronic 1 is not possible and it is not necessary therefore to undergo the further classification procedure.

  2.9.3.4.6.2 Classification for the acute category 1

  2.9.3.4.6.2.1 All ingredients classified as acute 1 shall be considered. If the sum of these ingredients is greater than or equal to 25% the whole mixture shall be classified as category acute 1. If the result of the calculation is a classification of the mixture as category acute 1, the classification process is completed.

  2.9.3.4.6.2.2 The classification of mixtures for acute hazards based on this summation of classified ingredients, is summarized in Table 2.9.1 below.

  2.9.3.4.6.3 Classification for the chronic categories 1, 2

  2.9.3.4.6.3.1 First, all ingredients classified as chronic 1 are considered. If the sum of these ingredients is greater than or equal to 25% the mixture shall be classified as category chronic 1. If the result of the calculation is a classification of the mixture as category chronic 1 the classification procedure is completed.

  2.9.3.4.6.3.2 In cases where the mixture is not classified as chronic 1, classification of the mixture as chronic 2 is considered. A mixture shall be classified as chronic 2 if 10 times the sum of all ingredients classified as chronic 1 plus the sum of all ingredients classified as chronic 2 is greater than or equal to 25%. If the result of the calculation is classification of the mixture as chronic 2, the classification process is completed.

  2.9.3.4.6.3.3 The classification of mixtures for chronic hazards, based on this summation of classified ingredients, is summarized in Table 2.9.2 below.

  Table 2.9.2 Classification of a mixture for chronic hazards, based on summation of classified ingredients

  2.9.3.4.6.4 Mixtures with highly toxic ingredients

  2.9.3.4.6.4.1 Acute category 1 ingredients with toxicities well below 1 mg/l may influence the toxicity of the mixture and are given increased weight in applying the summation of classification approach. When a mixture contains ingredients classified as acute or chronic category 1, the tiered approach described in 2.9.3.4.6.2 and 2.9.3.4.6.3 shall be applied using a weighted sum by multiplying the concentrations of acute category 1 ingredients by a factor, instead of merely adding up the percentages. This means that the concentration of “Acute 1” in the left column of Table 2.9.1 and the concentration of “Chronic 1” in the left column of Table 2.9.2 are multiplied by the appropriate multiplying factor. The multiplying factors to be applied to these ingredients are defined using the toxicity value, as summarized in Table 2.9.3 below. Therefore, in order to classify a mixture containing acute 1 and/or chronic 1 ingredients, the classifier needs to be informed of the value of the M factor in order to apply the summation method. Alternatively, the additivity formula (2.9.3.4.5.2) may be used when toxicity data are available for all highly toxic ingredients in the mixture and there is convincing evidence that all other ingredients, including those for which specific acute toxicity data are not available, are of low or no toxicity and do not significantly contribute to the environmental hazard of the mixture.

  Table 2.9.3 Multiplying factors for highly toxic ingredients of mixtures

  2.9.3.4.6.5 Classification of mixtures with ingredients without any useable information

  2.9.3.4.6.5.1 In the event that no useable information on acute and/or chronic aquatic hazard is available for one or more relevant ingredients, it is concluded that the mixture cannot be attributed (a) definitive hazard category(ies). In this event, the mixture shall be classified based on the known ingredients only with the additional statement that: “x percent of the mixture consists of ingredient(s) of unknown hazards to the aquatic environment.”

  2.9.3.5 Substances or mixtures dangerous to the aquatic environment not otherwise classified under the provisions of this Code

  2.9.3.5.1 Substances or mixtures dangerous to the aquatic environment not otherwise classified under this Code shall be designated:

 UN 3077 ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, SOLID, N.O.S. or
UN 3082 ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, LIQUID, N.O.S.
They shall be assigned to Packing Group III”.

  Consequential amendments:

  Contents page:

  Chapter 2.9 Replace “Class 9 – Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles” with “Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles (Class 9) and environmentally hazardous substances”.

  2.9.3 Insert “2.9.3 Environmentally hazardous substances (aquatic environment)”

  2.10.2.1 Marine pollutants shall be transported under the provisions of Annex III of MARPOL 73/78, as amended.

  2.10.2.2 The Index indicates by the symbol P in column headed MP those substances, materials and articles that are identified as marine pollutants.

  2.10.2.3 Marine pollutants shall be transported under the appropriate entry according to their properties if they fall within the criteria of any of the classes 1 to 8. If they do not fall within the criteria of any of these classes, they shall be transported under the entry: ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, SOLID, N.O.S., UN 3077 or ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, LIQUID, N.O.S., UN 3082, as appropriate, unless there is a specific entry in class 9.

  2.10.2.4 Column 4 of the Dangerous Goods List also provides information on marine pollutants using the symbol P.

  2.10.2.5 When a substance, material or article possesses properties that meet the criteria of a marine pollutant but is not identified in this Code, such substance, material or article shall be transported as a marine pollutant in accordance with the Code.

  2.10.2.6 With the approval of the competent authority (see 7.9.2), substances, materials or articles that are identified as marine pollutants in this Code but which no longer meet the criteria as a marine pollutant need not be transported in accordance with the provisions of this Code applicable to marine pollutants.”

  2.10.3 Replace section with:

  2.10.3.1 Marine pollutants shall be classified in accordance with chapter 2.9.3.”

  2.10.4 Delete section

  Consequential amendments:

  Contents page:

  2.10.2 Replace “Properties” with “General provisions”

  2.10.3 Delete “of solutions, mixtures and isomers”

  2.10.4 Delete “2.10.4 Guidelines for the identification of harmful substances in packaged form (marine pollutants)”