ABSA International, Author at ABSA International

United States Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research and the COGR Summary

United States Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research This document outlines U.S. government policies and oversight measures for restricting high-risk life sciences research, particularly Dangerous gain-of-function (DGOF) and International research of concern (IROC) Read the United States Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research, July 20, 2026 Summary from the The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) COGR is the national authority on federal policies and regulations affecting U.S. research institutions. COGR: Summary of U.S. Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research, August 2026 (pdf) Read the COGR's Summary of U.S. Government Policy for [...]

ABSA International2026-08-19T17:13:49-05:00August 19th, 2026|

June 10 is Maryland Biosafety Day

The State of Maryland has officially proclaimed June 10, 2026, as Biosafety Day in recognition of the critical role biosafety professionals play in protecting public health, advancing scientific research, and ensuring the safe operation of laboratories and biocontainment facilities. The proclamation, signed by Governor Wes Moore, coincides with the Chesapeake Area Biological Safety Association (ChABSA) Annual Scientific Symposium on June 10, which will bring together biosafety professionals, researchers, and industry experts to discuss current challenges, emerging trends, and best practices in the field.

ABSA International2026-05-31T09:03:07-05:00May 31st, 2026|

Hantavirus (2026 Multi‑Country Outbreak)

The EIDC has compiled Hantavirus resources to support biosafety professionals, laboratory personnel, and public health responders in understanding the current situation and implementing appropriate risk‑based controls. This Hantavirus section of the Other Zoonotic Agents Toolbox includes links to outbreak summaries, laboratory testing guidance, biosafety recommendations, and peer‑reviewed literature related to Andes virus transmission, including evidence of rare person‑to‑person transmission observed in past outbreaks.

ABSA International2026-07-19T09:51:21-05:00May 23rd, 2026|

ISO/TS 7446:2026 & ISO 35001 Announcement

ABSA International is pleased to announce the publication of ISO/TS 7446:2026 — “Implementation guidance for biorisk management for laboratories and other related organizations” —in January 2026. This Technical Specification is a supplement to ISO 35001, offering practical, implementation-focused guidance. It employs a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) approach, covering essential aspects across leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, and continual improvement. The Technical Specification emphasizes systems-based hazard identification and risk assessment, layered control selection (from elimination through engineering and administrative measures to PPE), documented control plans, workforce competence and training, clear communication and stakeholder engagement, and validated/enhanced precautions for high-biorisk activities. This [...]

ABSA International2026-04-24T10:17:25-05:00April 15th, 2026|

Key Updates for Agricultural Biosafety – including very useful tools in BMBL6 Appendix D

In case you weren’t aware, Appendix D in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition (2020) underwent significant revisions from the 5th Edition, retitling it from "Agriculture Pathogen Biosafety" to "Biosafety and Biocontainment for Pathogens Affecting Agricultural Animals and Animals that are Loose-Housed or in Open Penning." Veterinary researchers now have access to streamlined tools for protocol reviews. The changes include risk-based assessments over rigid BSL/ABSL assignments, with enhanced tools for determining minimum containment recommendations for most significant pathogens affecting agricultural animals. Major Revisions Expanded Scope: Appendix D now covers loose-housed/open-pen animals (e.g., wildlife, poultry in open systems), adding [...]

ABSA International2026-01-12T07:55:24-06:00January 12th, 2026|

CDC Import Permit Program Transition & Training: New Electronic Permitting System

The CDC Import Permit Program (IPP) will soon be launching a new electronic permitting system, BioPermit, for those wishing to obtain permits in order to import infectious biological materials that could cause disease in humans. BioPermit will replace the current system, eIPP, as the centralized location for obtaining import permits and sharing information with IPP. The new system will make it easier for users to apply for and receive import permits, as it is more agile, user-friendly, and intuitive. BioPermit will be activated and mandatory for use on January 20, 2026. I’m sharing some additional information below about the transition, including exciting features [...]

ABSA International2026-01-08T06:52:22-06:00January 7th, 2026|

MEMBERS: Join us at ABSA International Communities!

ABSA International’s new Howspace members-only engagement platform ABSA International Communities a dynamic space designed to foster collaboration, meaningful discussions, and impactful networking opportunities. Our mission at ABSA International has always been to promote biosafety and biosecurity worldwide. By leveraging this cutting-edge digital platform, we aim to provide a seamless environment where members like you can: Engage in Discussions: Discuss topical conversations, share insights, and exchange ideas with your colleagues. Collaborate Effectively: Share updates and documents and brainstorm solutions. Expand Your Network: Connect with experts, peers, and thought leaders from across the globe, building relationships that inspire growth and innovation. Translation: [...]

ABSA International2025-04-18T21:34:04-05:00February 7th, 2025|

Have you read the CDC/NIH BMBL-6 yet? The ABSA International Summary of Changes and the Side-by-Side Comparison will help focus your reading.

The ABSA International Technical and Regulatory Review Committee compiled a Summary of Changes and a Side-by-Side Comparison to the 6th edition of the CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL-6) released in November of 2020. The BMBL-6 continues to be, since the first edition in 1984, an advisory document. Consequently, words such as "must" and "should" have been mostly removed. In our review, we found updates to every section of the BMBL, from title changes to added references to include publications since 2009, when the 5th edition of the BMBL was published. We noticed, for example, new references to Zika and Vibrio cholera [...]

ABSA International2021-06-14T19:49:02-05:00June 9th, 2021|

ABSA’s Top-5 Biorisk Management Resources

Medical laboratory professionals are recognized at the end of April in the United States. We want to recognize here this group of unsung heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Marian Downing, Shoolah Escott, and Michael Marsico will present a poster during the upcoming virtual APHL 2021 Conference showcasing Biorisk Management tips and tools offered by ABSA International that may be of value to the laboratory professional interested in biosafety. Here are the Top-5 tools and resources: Training Tools and resources type "risk assessment" in the search box to retrieve manuscripts, templates, and webinars. In addition, online education is facilitated through webinars [...]

ABSA International2024-08-20T13:10:38-05:00May 3rd, 2021|

Recent Updates to the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Toolbox by the EIDC

In March 2020, the Emerging Infectious Diseases Committee (EIDC, then a task force) spearheaded the compilation of scientific and non-scientific resources into the SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Toolbox. Since then, the Committee has been busy adding resources, updating guidance provided primarily by US CDC and OSHA, and the WHO. But we don’t stop there, members of the EIDC have generated documents including risk assessment considerations for handling COVID-19 related samples in the laboratory setting and for holding community events. Towards the end of 2020, the Committee requested feedback from the ABSA International members and friends on ways to improve the toolbox. After [...]

ABSA International2021-04-14T18:15:54-05:00April 14th, 2021|

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