If you are shipping, make sure you read the Shipping Research Materials SOP and the eShipGlobal Shipping Research Materials handout:
- UMass EH&S eShip Global for ALL campus research materials shipping
- Shipping Research Materials SOP
- eShipGlobal Shipping Research Materials handout
- Video on how to package and ship hazardous materials
What You Should Do and Why You Should Do It: (It's The Law)
Only trained IATA certified personnel are permitted to package and ship the regulated materials covered by the federal mandates. If you have materials that meet these mandates, EH&S will coordinate the packaging and shipping. At least 72 hours notice to prepare packages and shipping papers is required. Overseas shipping requests can be more complicated and time consuming. Failure to meet regulatory requirements when shipping hazardous materials may result in citations, fines and/or imprisonment. Fines to the University can range from $250 to $500,000 per violation. In addition, individual researchers and shippers may be subject to criminal penalties of up to $500,000 and five years imprisonment.
What Are Hazardous Materials
Hazardous material regulations may apply to commercial products, chemical mixtures, and newly synthesized compounds. Various types of batteries, fuel containers and cleaning products are examples of materials that are regulated for shipment. There are nine classes of hazardous materials:
Class / Division | Class / Division Name |
1.1 - 1.6 | Explosives |
2.1 - 2.3 | Gases |
3 | Flammable Liquids |
4.1 - 4.3 | Flammable Solids |
5.1 - 5.2 | Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides |
6.1 | Poisonous Materials |
6.2 | Infectious Substances/Biological Materials |
7 | Radioactive |
8 | Corrosives |
9 | Misc. Hazardous Materials (asbestos, dry ice, PCBs) |
Forbidden | Forbidden Materials |