Strengthening the Biosecurity/Biosafety Framework European Biosafety Association Ursula Jenal PhD Biosafety Advisor European Biosafety Association, EBSA Jenal & Partners Biosafety Consulting, Switzerland BTWC 2008 Meeting of Experts

European BioSafety Association establish and communicate best biosafety/biosecurity practices among its members encourage dialogue and discussions on developing biosafety/biosecurity issues, i.e. WHO advisory group, International Biosafety Working Group influence and support emerging legislation and standards, i.e. Green paper on bio-preparedness, WHO biosecurity guidance represent the interests of its members at national and international committees develop and provide supporting training material and workshops facilitate regional biosafety/biosecurity organisations Enhancing knowledge and understanding of biologic safety throughout Europe and the world Founded in 1996, EBSA serves as a unique interaction platform for those active in biosafety/biosecurity and related activities. Mission www3.niaid.nih.gov

Consultants, Architects Supplies, Logistics Clinical Labs Academia 2008 Life Science Companies Government labs/ public health Government 28 % 7 % 6 % 8 % 21 % 29 % 2 Australia 1 Azerbaijan 5 Canada Hong Kong 1 Indonesia 1 Japan 1 New Zealand 1 Signapore 8 USA European BioSafety Association

Biopreparedness Biosafety Biosecurity Infectious Disease Laboratory Acquired Infections Public Health Occupational Health Disinfection and Sterilization Waste Management Transport Nanotechnology Enhancing knowledge and understanding of biologic safety throughout Europe and the world News

European BioSafety Association American Biosafety Association Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association International Biosafety Working Group European Agency for Safety and Health at Work European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) European Federation of Biotechnology European Association for Bioindustries International Society for Biosafety Research UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of dangerous goods WHO Enhancing knowledge and understanding of biologic safety throughout Europe and the world Alliances

Activities Biosafety Professional Competence To identify competency requirements, tasks and skills of the Biosafety Professional (BSP) to understand training needs and develop suitable programs. Biosafety-Europe Coordination, harmonization and exchange of biosafety and biosecurity practices within a pan-European network. European Commission 6 th Framework Programme. European Biosecurity and Bio-Preparedness Active participation in workshops of the European Commission on transport of bio-materials, import control, traceability of bio-materials, detection technologies, food security. Enhancing knowledge and understanding of biologic safety throughout Europe and the world European BioSafety Association

Goals Safety for people and the environment Design & implement biorisk management program Review & revise risk assessment safety practices and equipment Report on problems and successes in implementation Evaluate reports, reviews and revisions Policy High standard in environmental health and safety Biorisk management standard  no technical document Guidance for the establishment of a Biorisk Management System Goal Development and adoption of an internationally recognized standard for management of micro-organisms and their products within laboratory environments.

Biorisk management standard Partners ABSA, EBSA, DNV are partners driving the project and provided the first draft of the standard. DNV is providing management support. Facilitators A-PBA, WHO, Health Canada and others Participants The Biosafety & Biosecurity Community at large, 130 participants, public hearing CWA 15793:2008, available from national standardization committees European Committee for Standardization CEN Workshop Process

European BioSafety Association Annual conference Stockholm June 15-17, Enhancing knowledge and understanding of biologic safety throughout Europe and the world Examples of past preconference Workshops - Bio-Risk assessment - Biosafety management: policy and procedures - Biosafety audits and inspections - Export, Import and transport of biological material - Management of high containment facilities Topics of past conferences - New challenges (RNA technologies, nanotechnology) - Emerging infectious diseases, - EBSA Biosafety activities setting directions in biosafety - Responding to biosafety issues: roles of national and international organizations and mechanisms - Biosecurity