Type: Legislation
Source: Swiss Confederation
Link

The Ordinance on Handling Organisms in Contained Systems (Containment Ordinance, ContainO)  applies to all laboratories and facilities, in which work is carried out with genetically modified, pathogenic or alien organisms. The ContainO requires that the risk of improper use be assessed, and that the necessary measures be put in place to minimise these risks.

Type: Official Guideline
Source: Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
Link

This official guidance document defines criteria on how to assess the risk of improper use (misuse potential) of an organism and provides a non-conclusive list of organisms with a high potential for improper use. The list is refered to in Art. 26 para.2 of the Containment Ordinance.

Type: Course
Source: sanu
Link

This one-day course is designed specifically for future or currently active biosafety officers (BSOs) and is part of the Curriculum Biosafety developed by the Federal Office for Public Health, the Federal Office for the Environment, SUVA and the Swiss Expert Committee on Biosafety.

Type: Website
Source: Netherlands Biosecurity Office
Link

The Netherlands Biosecurity Office defines eight pillars of good practice to address biosecurity priority areas. This website gives an overview on all eight pillars and also links to futher information.

Type: Online Tool
Source: Netherlands Biosecurity Office
Link

This is an easy-to-use online tool to quickly identify strong and weak biosecurity aspects in an organisation. The tool covers the eight pillars of biosecurity as defined y the Netherlands Biosecurity Office.

Type: Online Tool
Source: Netherlands Biosecurity Office
Link

This expanded online tool supports an in-depth analysis of biosecurity vulnerabilities in an institution. The tool covers the eight pillars of biosecurity as defined by the Netherlands Biosecurity Office.

Type: Report
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
Link

This comprehensive report provides guidance to etablish a framework to identify, manage and oversee biosecurity risks in different institutions. It also proposes concrete tools to manage laboratory biosecurity risks (e.g. risk matrices, checklists) and outlines best practices.

Type: Website / Guideline
Source: Canadian Government
Link

This guideline from the Canadian government sets out a process for conducting a biosecurity risk assessment in organisations that store human or animal pathogens or toxins. Although it is based on Canadian legislation, it can also offer valuable insights to other users. The guideline is also available to download as a PDF. 

Type: Website / Guideline
Source: Canadian Government
Link

This guideline from the Canadian government provides detailed advice on the elements required for a comprehensive biosecurity plan in facilities where pathogens and toxins are handled or stored. Although it is based on Canadian legislation, the described biosecurity elements (e.g. physical security, information security and personnel reliability) are applicable universally. The guideline is also available to download as a PDF. 

Type: Article
Source: ABSA International
Link

This research paper provides a generic biosecurity checklist for laboratory assessment and monitoring and describes its development process. The checklist was developed by experts from Malaysia and The Netherlands but is intended as a template for country- or institution-specific checklists.

Type: Document
Source: Sandia National Laboratories
Link

This document provides a template that can be used to develop an institutional biosecurity program plan. It covers different aspects such as roles and responsibilities, risk assessment strategies and mitigation strategies.