Biosafety and biosecurity resources
Biosafety and biosecurity resources for UCT research staff and students
South Africa has a comprehensive and robust legislative framework governing biosafety and biosecurity, consisting of a broad range of acts.
General biosafety and biosecurity information and biosafety manuals
International biosafety and biosecurity manuals and guidance on best biosafety practices and procedures
- World Health Organisation (WHO) Laboratory Biosafety Manual 4th Edition, 2020
- NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules, 2024
- CDC and NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories 6th Edition, 2020
- Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) Approved list of biological agents 4th Edition, 2023
- Management and operation of microbiological containment laboratories ACDP, 2019
- Guidance for SAPO licence holders on the containment and control of specified animal pathogens, 2015
- Personal protective equipment World Health Organisation, 2020
- WHO Guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2021-2022
- CDC/USDA Select agents and toxins list
- World Organisation for Animal Health - Terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases
- WHO Tuberculosis laboratory biosafety manual 2012
- Key concepts of integrated biorisk management
South African legislation
South African national biosafety and biosecurity legislation with links to the relevant government departments, compliance guidelines and application forms:
Department of Health (DOH)
- National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003)
- Regulations Section 68, National Health Act, Notice R178 (Registration of microbiological laboratories and the acquisition, importation, handling, maintenance and supply of human pathogens)
- Application form to register a microbiological laboratory for the use of human pathogen cultures
- Application form for authorisation to use, keep or handle cultures or preparations of microorganisms
Associated legislation and guidelines
- SAHPRA Guideline for import and export of medicines
- SAHPRA and DoH Good Clinical Practice: Clinical Trial Guidelines 2020
Department of Agriculture (DoA)
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- GMO Act (Act 15 of 1997)
- GMO Amendment Act 23 of 2006
- GMO Act Regulations 2010
- GMO Guidelines and policy, Application forms, Tariffs
Animal Health
- Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984)
- Laboratory / Facility Biosafety and Biosecurity approval procedure manuals, Biosafety level checklists
- Guidelines and application form for Research approval in terms of Section 20 of the Animal Diseases Act
- Guideline for Applying for Section 20 and Veterinary Import Permits under the Animal Diseases Act
- SAVC Registration of veterinary facilities and authorisation of laboratory animal technicians
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)
- SA Council for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (NPWMD)
- Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction Act (Act 87 of 1993)
- NPWMD Regulations: Biological, Chemical, Missiles, Nuclear
Transport regulations
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations as set out in the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996
- SANS 10228 (2012): The identification and classification of dangerous goods for transport by road and rail modes
- WHO Guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2019-2020
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Enviroment (DFFE)
- National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), (Act 10 of 2004)
- NEMBA Invasive alien plant species regulations: Alien and invasive species list 2014
- NEMBA Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) permit and registration application process
- Cape Nature Scientific research permit - Western Cape
- Agricultural Pests Act (Act 36 of 1983)
- Regulations for Hazardous Biological Agents, Government notice R1887 of 2022 (SA OHS Act, 1993)
Risk analysis (general) and biological risk assessment
Guidance on biological risk assessments
- World Health Organisation (WHO) Laboratory Biosafety Manual 4th Edition, 2020, Section 2, p5
- Biological Risk Assessment: General Considerations for Laboratories - CDC
- ISO 35001:2019(en) Biorisk management for laboratories and other related organisations
- Guideline for biological risk assessment: cell cultures
- Biological Risk Assessment Guidance: Production of mRNA vaccines
Standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines
Guidance on the development of effective biosafety standard operating procedures:
- Guideline for the development of a biosafety standard operating procedure (SOP) document for laboratory procedures where bio-hazardous or potentially bio-hazardous materials are handled
- WHO Laboratory Quality Management System Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- UCT Transport SOP template
- UCT Waste Management SOP Framework
- UCT Procedure-specific SOP template
Biosafety and biosecurity literature
National and international literature on relevant biosafety and biosecurity topics
- Animal Research Biosafety. Applied Biosafety. Sep 2018, 130-142
- Biosafety and biosecurity measures: management of biosafety level 3 facilities
- International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 2010, 36S, S70–S74
- Degradation and Deactivation of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance Genes during Exposure to Free Chlorine, Monochloramine, Chlorine Dioxide, Ozone, Ultraviolet Light, and Hydroxyl Radical. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2019, 53, 2013−2026
- Donning and doffing PPE - CDC
- Guidance from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification (SAGM)
- Safe Handling and Management of Monoclonal Antibodies - NSW
- Safe Handling of Monoclonal Antibodies in Healthcare Settings - Simplivia
- Biological Risks and Laboratory-Acquired Infections: A Reality That Cannot be Ignored in Health Biotechnology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2015; 3: 56
- Biological Toxins as the Potential Tools for Bioterrorism. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(5), 1181
- Occupational health and safety when handling frogs - OSU
- Biocide Use in the Antimicrobial Era: A Review. Molecules 2021, 26, 2276
- Investigation of biocidal efficacy of commercial disinfectants used in public, private and workplaces during the pandemic event of SARS‑CoV‑2. Scientific Reports (2022) 12:5468
- Biohazard levels and biosafety protection for Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with different virulence. Biosafety and Health Volume 2, Issue 3, September 2020, 135-141
- Classification of chemicals - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System 1988 CCOHS
- Heat Sources in a Biosafety Cabinet Compromise Experimental and User Protection
Specific pathogens - pathogen safety data sheets
International databases of pathogen safety data sheets
- Biological agents - OSHA (USA)
- Pathogen safety data sheets - Public Health Agency of Canada
- Agent information sheets - Boston University
- Working with toxins / venoms in the laboratory - risk assessment example - UQ
Specific cell line information and safety data sheets
International databases of cell line safety data sheets
- Cellosaurus - a knowledge resource on cell lines
- ATCC - Search cell products
- The European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC)
Disinfectant safety data sheets
Guidance on general laboratory disinfectants and safety data sheets
Biosafety equipment
Guidance on safe use of general biosafety equipment
Guide to Biosafety and Biological Safety Cabinets - ESCO
- Fundamentals of working safely in a BSC - factors affecting BSC airflow - CDC
- Difference between a fume hood and a Biosafety Cabinet
- Autoclave positioning and installation
- SANS347 Basic user checklist for autoclaves
- Handling of hazardous material: Safe use of centrifuges (Eppendorf Handling Solutions)
- Safe air in laboratories - TROX Technik
- Designing HVAC systems for biosafety level requirements - Pharmaceutical Online
Waste management
Guidance on biosafety laboratory waste management
UCT Waste collection service provider certificates
- BCL
- Waste-Mart