Affiliates / Partners

ABSA Affiliate and Partner Benefits

Affiliate logo and point of contact information posted to our website
Access to ABSA members in multiple affiliate regions
Networking resources
Listserv discussions for affiliate leaders on sharing resources
Affiliate trainings and events posted to our website
Automatic approval for Credentialing Maintenance (CM) points for professional development activities

ABSA Alliance

European Biosafety Association (EBSA)

During the 2014 ABSA conference in San Diego, CA the ABSA-EBSA (European Biosafety Association) Partnership Agreement was signed. This partnership has helped ABSA and EBSA coordinate positions regarding biosafety and biorisk management. It also allows RBP and CBSP credentialed professionals attending EBSA events to obtain CM points without additional evaluation, making it easier to obtain their continuing education points.

ABSA Partner

Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA)

The Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) is the only organization focused entirely on serving EHS professionals in higher education.

It was founded in 1954 as the Campus Safety Association and since 1995 has been a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

Affiliate Resources

ABSA International Affiliate Guide(PDF 2.42MB)

Useful Websites

American Society of Association Executives (asae)
Association Forum of Chicagoland (af)
Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE)
Professional Convention Management Association (pcma)
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL)
The Power of A – Stronger by Association

Become an ABSA Affiliate

Any member(s) of ABSA International (ABSA) who desires to establish a link between ABSA and a local or international association with goals and principles similar to those of ABSA, which that member is associated may petition to establish that organization as an ABSA affiliate.

Affiliate Overview

Domestic and International

There are no links to ABSA implying or stating ownership or oversight in terms of the Affiliates management.
A petitioning organization must submit its own Constitution and By-Laws (in English) to the ABSA Council for review to ensure that they do not conflict with the ABSA By-Laws.
Dues paid to an Affiliate organization and any other financial matters are not the responsibility of ABSA nor are they regulated by ABSA.
The Affiliate organization is not accountable to ABSA for any decisions made by that organization provided that they are not in conflict with the ABSA By-Laws.
ABSA Council may request correspondences (e.g., council meeting and general meeting minutes), publications and activities to prove activeness of the association. ABSA will maintain data protection compliance.
Affiliates do not fall under ABSA’s group exemption with the IRS and should apply for “not-for-profit” status on their own.
Disputes within the Affiliate organization would be the responsibility of that organization to resolve.
ABSA Council reserves the right to remove Affiliate status after an appropriate hearing.

Petitioning Requirements

Domestic Status:

A petition for Affiliate status signed by a minimum of ten (10) members from the petitioning organization, of which five (5) shall be current ABSA members in good standing.
Current association President / Leader must be an ABSA member.
- Member status in ABSA is not required for the remainder of the petitioning organization’s membership•
Council may request access to the petitioning organizations Membership Directory.

International Status:

A petition for International Affiliate status signed by a minimum of ten (10) members from the petitioning organization, of which one (1) shall be current ABSA member in good standing.
- Member status in ABSA is not required for the remainder of the petitioning organization’s membership.
Written verification, signed by three (3) Association Leaders (Board member or Council leader) certifying the number of members in their association.

Petitioning Procedures
For petitioning of Affiliate or International Affiliate status, submit the following to the ABSA office info@absa.org, attention Michelle Gehrke:

Signed petition by ten (10) members. Be sure to indicate which are also ABSA members.
Constitution and By-Laws (must be submitted in English).
For International status—three (3) signatures from Association Leaders verifying the current
number of members in association.
For Affiliate (domestic) status – membership directory (if requested).

Affiliate News

New ABSA Affiliate

Philadelphia Area Biological Safety Association (PHABSA)

ABSA International is pleased to announce the acceptance of the Philadelphia Area Biological Safety Association (PHABSA) as our newest Affiliate.

PHABSA joins a global network of independent organizations that share ABSA’s mission and commitment to advancing biological safety and biosecurity. As an ABSA International Affiliate, PHABSA will maintain its own Bylaws and Constitution while collaborating with ABSA to support education, professional development, and engagement within the biosafety community.

We warmly welcome PHABSA to the ABSA Affiliate community and look forward to a strong and collaborative partnership.

Press Release – Northern Alliance Agreement

ABSA International, AMEXBIO, and CABS/ACSB Unite Under the Northern Alliance Agreement to Advance Biosafety and Biosecurity Across the Americas
Press Release (pdf) – November 12, 2025

Download the Press Release

Affiliate Leaders Listserv

The affiliate leaders listserv is for ABSA affiliate leaders to connect with other affiliate organizations. Please forward your name, affiliate organization, and your position held (secretary, president-elect, etc.) to Michelle Gehrke at Michelle@absaoffice.org with “Affiliate listserv” in the subject line.

Affiliate Events

Have an upcoming affiliate event?
List it in the Biosafety Calendar.
Events submitted must be approved and may take up to 3 business days to appear on the website.