Biosafety is defined in Belgium as "The safety for human health and the environment, including the protection of biodiversity, during the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or micro-organisms (GMMs), and during the contained use of pathogenic organisms for humans".
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Biosafety guidelines for the contained use of mpox virus, in French and Dutch
Communication: Biological safety for diagnostics and research on the Marburg virus
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Notification procedures
In Belgium activities involving GMOs and/or pathogens can be performed only if they have been notified and authorised by the relevant Competent Authority(ies). Different procedures apply depending on the type of activity and/or organism involved.
Quick access: Notification procedures for "Contained Use" activities in Brussels, Wallonia, Flanders
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Practical tools for risk assessment and risk management of "contained use" activities
Guidelines developed to provide support to carefully assess potential biological risks associated with activities involving GMOs and/or pathogens and for applying appropriate risk management measures.
Quick access: Belgian risk classes of micro-organisms
Criteria for containment levels
Mpox: biosafety of research and diagnostics, in French and Dutch
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Databases for field and clinical trials with GMOs in Belgium
Information about "deliberate release" or "contained use" notifications in Belgium for:
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This website is managed by the Service Biosafety and Biotechnology (SBB) of Sciensano, a permanent center of expertise providing scientific advice in the field of biosafety.
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The SBB publishes scientific papers and reports on biosafety-related issues.
Our book: 1990-2010: 20 years of risk assessment of GMOs and pathogens
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Belgian biosafety regulatory framework
In a complex institutional context, Belgium set up a biosafety regulatory framework harmonised between the Federal State and the Regions based on a single science-based biosafety advisory system composed of two bodies: the Biosafety Advisory Council and the SBB.
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EU biosafety regulatory framework
The assessment of biological risks associated with the use of GMOs and/or pathogens is supported by a comprehensive regulatory framework, in particular at European Union (EU) level. The EU legislation forms the basis of the implementation of biosafety in Belgium.
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This website also provides scientific information on various biosafety topics for all people having interest in specific fields.
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Historical overview of the emergence of the concept of biosafety and its implementation
The assessment of biological risks associated with the use of pathogens and/or recombinant DNA techniques has taken shape through different periods in recent history and through different fields.