The transport of the types of substances listed below is exempt from the dangerous goods transport requirements.

For all other substances (see definitions), follow the guidance given under decision tree and transport sheets.

1. Exempt substances of clinical or medical human or veterinary origin
2. Nucleic acids
3. Exempt medical or clinical waste
4. Exemptions for machinery and equipment
5. Exemptions for authorized genetically modified organisms

1. Exempt substances of clinical or medical human or veterinary origin

for Swiss and international transport according to ADR, 2.2.62.1.5

• Substances which do not contain infectious substances or substances which are unlikely to cause disease in humans or animals.
   
• Substances containing microorganisms which are non-pathogenic to humans or animals.
   
• Substances in a form that any present pathogens have been neutralized or inactivated such that they no longer pose a health risk.
   
• Substances, where the concentration of pathogens is at a level naturally encountered (including foodstuff and water samples) and which is not considered to pose any significant risk of infection (packaging equivalent to P650, PI650 might be appropriate, see transport sheet 1.1.2 and transport sheet 1.2.2).
   
• Dried blood spots, collected by applying a drop of blood onto absorbent material, or faecal occult blood screening.
   
• Blood or blood components which have been collected for the purpose of transfusion or for the preparation of blood products to be used for transfusion or transplantation and any tissues or organs intended for use in transplantation. For the specifics on the trans-boundary movement of organs, tissues and cells as well as (embryonic) stem cells for transplantation information is provided by the Federal Office of Public Health.
   
• Human or animal specimens for which there is minimal likelihood that pathogens are present, if the specimen is carried in a triple-packaging which will prevent any leakage (packaging equivalent to P650, PI650 might be appropriate, see transport sheet 1.1.2 and transport sheet 1.2.2) and which is marked with the words "exempt human specimens" or "exempt animal specimen".

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2. Nucleic acids

Not explicitly covered under the international transport regulations are nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) including plasmids. The SECB recommends to transport nucleic acids in a triple packaging which will prevent any leakage (packaging equivalent to P650, PI650 might be appropriate, see transport sheet 1.1.2 and transport sheet 1.2.2). For infectious viral vectors transport sheet 2.1.1 (GMO group 1) and/or transport sheet 1.1.2 and transport sheet 1.2.2 (Category B substances) have to be considered as well.

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3. Exempt medical or clinical waste

for Swiss and international transport according to ADR, 2.2.62.1.11.3

• Decontaminated medical or clinical waste which previously contained infectious substances. For the correct disposal of medical or clinical waste the Guideline on Treatment of Medical Wastes has to be considered.

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4. Exemptions for machinery and equipment

for Swiss and international transport, ADR, 1.1.3.1 b, d and e

• The carriage of machinery or equipment which happens to contain dangerous goods in their internal or operational equipment provided that measures have been taken to prevent any leakage of contents in normal conditions of carriage.

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5. Genetically modified organisms authorized for the placing on the market

for Swiss and international transport, ADR 2.2.9.1.11, note 2

• genetically modified (micro)organisms are not subject to the provision of ADR when authorized for use by the competent authorities of the countries of origin, transit and destination (i.e. food and feed).