Biosecurity Addendum to the Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition
On this page
- Date of coming into effect
- Overview of the biosecurity addendum
- Who the biosecurity addendum is for
- Access the biosecurity addendum
- Contact us
Date of coming into effect
The Biosecurity Addendum to the Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition comes into effect as a condition of risk group 4 pathogen and toxin licences and terrestrial animal pathogen import/transfer permits on January 5, 2026.
Overview of the biosecurity addendum
The Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition (CBS) establishes requirements for the design, structure, and operation of containment zones to protect humans, animals, and the environment from the risks posed by certain pathogens and toxins. As an extension of the CBS, the Biosecurity Addendum to the Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition (the biosecurity addendum) establishes additional requirements for the highest containment facilities (i.e., containment level 4) to strengthen biosecurity oversight. The requirements found in the biosecurity addendum apply not only to the containment zone, but the premises in which the containment zone is housed.
Risk group 4 pathogen and toxin licence and terrestrial animal pathogen import/transfer permit holders must comply with applicable requirements set out in the CBS, including the biosecurity addendum, as a condition of their licence/permit.
Learn more:
Who the biosecurity addendum is for
- Regulated facilities where risk group 4 regulated materials are handled or stored (i.e., containment level 4 facilities)
- Risk group 4 pathogen and toxin licence and terrestrial animal pathogen import/transfer permit holders
- Biological safety officers for containment level 4 facilities
- Security personnel for containment level 4 facilities
Access the biosecurity addendum
The biosecurity addendum is available on the Public Health Agency of Canada Training Portal.
Access the biosecurity addendum
Contact us
For questions, contact us by:
- phone at 1-613-957-1779
- email at pathogens.pathogenes@phac-aspc.gc.ca