Public consultation on the Canadian Biosafety Standard (CBS), third edition

From Public Health Agency of Canada

Goal of the consultation

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launched an 85-day consultation period from April 1 to June 25, 2021 to seek feedback on the draft Canadian Biosafety Standard (CBS), third edition. The CBS sets out the physical containment requirements, operational practice requirements, and performance and verification testing requirements that must be met to safely handle or store human and terrestrial animal pathogens and toxins. The CBS, third edition will update and replace the CBS, second edition, originally published in 2015.

The CBS, third edition aims to:

• improve clarity in the requirements
• eliminate redundancies where possible
• underscore the biosafety and biosecurity intent of the requirements

Changes have also been made to some glossary terms and definitions to improve clarity and standardize the language throughout the document. Once published, persons that handle and store pathogens and toxins will be expected to meet the requirements outlined in the CBS, third edition, under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and the Health of Animals Act.

Who was the focus of this consultation?

This consultation was intended for:

• laboratory researchers and workers
• biosafety professionals
• biosecurity professionals
• licence holders and applicants for a Pathogen and Toxin Licence
• individuals who have imported an animal pathogen under an animal pathogen import permit
• members of the public with an interest in the subject matter

Key questions for discussion

The PHAC and the CFIA sought feedback on targeted sections of the draft CBS, third edition including:

• Glossary
• Chapter 3: Physical containment requirements
• Chapter 4: Operational practice requirements
• Chapter 5: Performance and verification testing requirements
• Appendix: Explanatory notes

All the information gathered was collected by a third party and has been shared anonymously with the PHAC and the CFIA.

Related information (optional)

• Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and Regulations
• Health of Animals Act and Regulations
• Canadian Biosafety Standard, Second Edition
• Canadian Biosafety Handbook, Second Edition

Contact us

Email: pathogens.pathogenes@phac-aspc.gc.ca

Public Health Agency of Canada
100 Colonnade Road
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9

Telephone: 613-957-1779
Fax: 613-941-0596