AS/NZS 3816:2018
Management of clinical and related wastes
This standard establishes principles for clinical and related wastes to be safely managed and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. It seeks to provide personnel responsible for the proper handling, storage and disposal of healthcare and biomedical wastes such as hospital environmental services management, nursing unit managers, laboratory managers, practice proprietors and others with practical information about how to manage these wastes from point of generation to final disposal.
In 2025, the P4827 Rejoining of Safety Standards committee was formed to consider this standard’s suitability (and the suitability of other Australian safety standards) for rejoining as Australian/New Zealand standards.
| Get this standard | Prices exclude GST | |
|---|---|---|
| PDF ( Single user document) |
$166.05 NZD
|
|
| HardCopy |
$184.50 NZD
|
|
| Networkable PDF |
Price varies
|
|
| Online Library ( Annual subscription) |
Info
Price varies
Online Library subscription information Online library subscriptions provide a cost-effective solution for organisations of any size to access the latest standards, offering 24/7 access to a personalised catalogue. The service ensures subscribers have have the most up-to-date version of selected standards, incluing automatic updates for any amendments or versions. Pricing is dependent on the chosen standards and the number of concurrent users, with discounts applied from the standards PDF price. For customised subscriptions or further inquiries, contact the Online Library team. |
AS/NZS 3816:2018
SA/SNZ - Cover page
Preface
1 Scope
2 Referenced documents
3 Definitions
4 Identification of waste streams
4.1 Stream identification steps
4.2 Categorize by waste properties
4.3 Resolving categorization ambiguity
4.4 Mixed waste
5 Waste receptacles
5.1 General requirements — All waste types
5.2 Receptacles — General requirements for all receptacles
5.2.1 Colour and labelling
5.2.2 Design
5.2.3 Physical performance
5.2.4 Unsecured receptacles
5.2.5 Suitability for manual handling
5.2.6 Suitability for being cleaned
5.2.7 Suitability for reuse
5.2.8 Suitability for dangerous goods
5.3 Receptacles — General requirements for bags
5.3.1 Waste restrictions
5.3.2 Choice of material
5.3.3 Security during deposition
5.3.4 Sizing and fitting
5.3.5 Tying off before removal
5.3.6 Manner of closure
5.3.7 Manual handling limitations
5.3.8 Performance criteria
5.3.9 Bags for sterilising waste
5.3.10 Reuse of bags
5.3.11 Markings and colour
5.4 Receptacles — General requirements for sharps disposal containers
5.4.1 Container opening
5.4.2 Container depth
5.4.3 Commercial activity containers
5.4.4 Self-care containers
5.4.5 Container location
5.4.6 Container accessibility and visibility
5.4.7 Wall mounting
5.4.8 Stability and orientation
5.4.9 Closure during movement to another point of use
5.4.10 Replacement schedule
5.5 Receptacles — Colours and markings
5.5.1 Bags
5.5.2 Rigid receptacles
5.6 Receptacles — Additional requirements for specific waste types
5.6.1 Category A infectious waste
5.6.2 GMO Pharmaceutical waste from pharmacies
5.6.3 Radioactive waste
5.6.4 UN3291 Clinical waste
6 Receptacle requirements and movement within the facility
6.1 General requirements — All waste types
6.1.1 Receptacle positioning, all waste types
6.1.2 Movement within the facility, all waste types
6.1.3 Receptacle cleaning
6.1.4 Spills management
7 Waste storage
7.1 General requirements
7.2 Storage — Additional requirements
7.2.1 GMO waste
7.2.2 UN3291 Clinical waste
7.2.3 Pharmaceutical waste
8 Waste transport
8.1 General requirements
8.1.1 Lawful waste facilities
8.1.2 Transportation by waste generator
8.1.3 Waste tracking
8.1.4 Transporter licensing
8.1.5 Provision of safe loading locations
8.1.6 Collection arrangements
8.2 Additional requirements for specific waste types
8.2.1 Pharmaceutical waste
8.2.2 Medical or Clinical Waste UN3291, UN2814 and UN2900
9 Waste treatment and disposal
9.1 General requirements
9.2 Treatment — Additional requirements for GMO waste
10 Waste management plans
10.1 Documentation of waste arrangements
10.2 Plan contents
11 Waste management training
11.1 Topics for all waste generators and handlers
11.2 Receptacle selection, use and movement
11.3 Clinical waste handling
11.4 Training records
Bibliography
Amendment control sheet
Keep me up-to-date
Sign up to receive updates when there are changes to this standard
References
Occupational protective gloves, Part 10.1: Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms - Terminology and performance requirements (ISO 374-1:2024, IDT)
Safety in laboratories - Part 3: Microbiological safety and containment
The storage and handling of mixed classes of dangerous goods, in packages and intermediate bulk containers
Reusable containers for the collection of sharp items used in human and animal medical applications
Specification for refuse bags for local authority collection (low density polyethylene)
Related Information
Similar Standards
-
AS/NZS 3816:2018 A1
Management of clinical and related wastes Amendment No. 1
-
BIP 2117 WEEED Distributor Version-IHS
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. Requirements and Implementation
-
BS EN 12258-4:2004
Aluminium and aluminium alloys. Terms and definitions, Residues of the aluminium industry
-
BS EN ISO 16640:2022
Monitoring radioactive gases in effluents from facilities producing positron emitting radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals
AS/NZS 3816:2018
SA/SNZ - Cover page
Preface
1 Scope
2 Referenced documents
3 Definitions
4 Identification of waste streams
4.1 Stream identification steps
4.2 Categorize by waste properties
4.3 Resolving categorization ambiguity
4.4 Mixed waste
5 Waste receptacles
5.1 General requirements — All waste types
5.2 Receptacles — General requirements for all receptacles
5.2.1 Colour and labelling
5.2.2 Design
5.2.3 Physical performance
5.2.4 Unsecured receptacles
5.2.5 Suitability for manual handling
5.2.6 Suitability for being cleaned
5.2.7 Suitability for reuse
5.2.8 Suitability for dangerous goods
5.3 Receptacles — General requirements for bags
5.3.1 Waste restrictions
5.3.2 Choice of material
5.3.3 Security during deposition
5.3.4 Sizing and fitting
5.3.5 Tying off before removal
5.3.6 Manner of closure
5.3.7 Manual handling limitations
5.3.8 Performance criteria
5.3.9 Bags for sterilising waste
5.3.10 Reuse of bags
5.3.11 Markings and colour
5.4 Receptacles — General requirements for sharps disposal containers
5.4.1 Container opening
5.4.2 Container depth
5.4.3 Commercial activity containers
5.4.4 Self-care containers
5.4.5 Container location
5.4.6 Container accessibility and visibility
5.4.7 Wall mounting
5.4.8 Stability and orientation
5.4.9 Closure during movement to another point of use
5.4.10 Replacement schedule
5.5 Receptacles — Colours and markings
5.5.1 Bags
5.5.2 Rigid receptacles
5.6 Receptacles — Additional requirements for specific waste types
5.6.1 Category A infectious waste
5.6.2 GMO Pharmaceutical waste from pharmacies
5.6.3 Radioactive waste
5.6.4 UN3291 Clinical waste
6 Receptacle requirements and movement within the facility
6.1 General requirements — All waste types
6.1.1 Receptacle positioning, all waste types
6.1.2 Movement within the facility, all waste types
6.1.3 Receptacle cleaning
6.1.4 Spills management
7 Waste storage
7.1 General requirements
7.2 Storage — Additional requirements
7.2.1 GMO waste
7.2.2 UN3291 Clinical waste
7.2.3 Pharmaceutical waste
8 Waste transport
8.1 General requirements
8.1.1 Lawful waste facilities
8.1.2 Transportation by waste generator
8.1.3 Waste tracking
8.1.4 Transporter licensing
8.1.5 Provision of safe loading locations
8.1.6 Collection arrangements
8.2 Additional requirements for specific waste types
8.2.1 Pharmaceutical waste
8.2.2 Medical or Clinical Waste UN3291, UN2814 and UN2900
9 Waste treatment and disposal
9.1 General requirements
9.2 Treatment — Additional requirements for GMO waste
10 Waste management plans
10.1 Documentation of waste arrangements
10.2 Plan contents
11 Waste management training
11.1 Topics for all waste generators and handlers
11.2 Receptacle selection, use and movement
11.3 Clinical waste handling
11.4 Training records
Bibliography
Amendment control sheet
AS/NZS 3816:2018
Online Library subscription information
Online library subscriptions provide a cost-effective solution for organisations of any size to access the latest standards, offering 24/7 access to a personalised catalogue. The service ensures subscribers have have the most up-to-date version of selected standards, incluing automatic updates for any amendments or versions. Pricing is dependent on the chosen standards and the number of concurrent users, with discounts applied from the standards PDF price. For customised subscriptions or further inquiries, contact the Online Library team.