New Mailing Standards for Sharps and Other Regulated Medical Waste Containers

In today’s Federal Register we published a revision to the mailing standards for sharps and other regulated medical waste containers. Our new standards promote uniform container testing methods and ensure the integrity of mailpieces containing sharps and other medical waste.

The new standards are effective on November 9, 2006. Sharps and other regulated medical waste containers that are approved for mailing prior to November 9 can maintain their authorization until it expires. Containers submitted for authorization or renewal of authorization on or after November 9 must meet the new standards.

New Mailing Standards for Division 6.2 Infectious Substances

In today’s Federal Register we published a revision to the mailing standards and packaging requirements for Division 6.2 infectious substances. The standards are based on World Health Organization, Department of Transportation, and International Civil Aviation Organization regulations and prohibit Category A infectious substances in the mail. The new standards facilitate domestic and international transportation and will help ensure the safety of the mail.