European BioSafety AssociationNetwork for Biosafety & Biosecurity

Gijsbert van Willigen

EBSA President 2016 - 2017

In the past years….

Did you/your organisation face a biosafety or

biosecurity issue for which you wanted (rapid)

additional advice?

Did you know:

- What up-to-date information was available?

- Who to contact for advice/technical support?

- Where you could find future training

opportunities?

Slide 2Stockholm, October 13, 2016

European Biosafety Association

• a non-profit organization (since 1996)

• open to anyone working in the field

• representing the (European) biosafety community

• Works via:

– EBSA Council and technical working groups

– EBSA Partnerships

– Members:

• From students to senior professionals

• From diverse disciplines (healthcare, academia, emergency

response, pharmaceutical/ biotech industry, regulatory affairs

etc.)

Slide 3Stockholm, October 13, 2016

EBSA Vision

• EBSA establishes and communicates best biosafety and biosecurity

practices amongst its members and encourages dialogue and discussions

on developing issues.

• EBSA influences and supports emerging legislation and standards,

with the objective of ensuring the prevention of harm to man or the

environment from biological substances or materials.

• EBSA represents and defends the collective interests of its members

in all areas relating to biosafety and biosecurity.

Slide 4

Enhancing knowledge and understanding of

biological safety and security throughout Europe

and the world

Stockholm, October 13, 2016

EBSA “networking” Activities

Slide 5

Enhancing knowledge and understanding of

biological safety & security via a network of

Biosafety Professionals

Practice Information

Training Advocacy

Stockholm, October 13, 2016

EBSA Members (2016)

Slide 6

Individual

International Members:9 Georgia

5 Turkey

5 Armenia

3 Israel

3 Jordan

3 Pakistan

2 Australia

2 Azerbaijan

2 China

1 Afghanistan

1 Algeria

1 Hong Kong

1 India

1 Japan

1 Mexico

1 Sudan

1 USA

4

13

18

4

16

20

21

2

8

43

2

47

4

14

26

1

7

9

1

1

12

1

1

3

68

Stockholm, October 13, 2016

EBSA Partners Organizations

Slide 7Stockholm, October 13, 2016

Wider EBSA “Network”

Slide 8

UN

…

AfBSA

ECCO

EC

Natl

minist

EFB

ISBR

CENESCB

FEMS

FEBSOIE

IFBA

IndustryANBio

JBA

A-PBA

OSHA-

EUR

Europa

BIO

ABSA

NBNet

BBP

GeBSA

BTWCEliz.

Griffin

Fd

AMEX

Bio

SBNET

ECDC

IBP

BVF

BBNet

IPPC

CBRN

ISO

WHO

[BAG]

Key EBSA Activities

• Laboratory Biorisk Management CWA 15793:2011 (ISO TC 212 WG5 ISO/AWI 35001)

• Promote evidence based Biosafety & Biosecurity practices

Practices

• Annual conference (with sponsored participants)

• Newsletters

• Website with member’s sectionInformation

• Pre-conferences courses

• BSP Curriculum and Certification/CWA 16335:2011

• Course certificationTraining

• EU Biosecurity and Bio-preparedness – CBRN Action Plan

• Information for BTWC negotiations, UNSCR 1540

• Enhancing representation

Advocacy

Slide 9Stockholm, October 13, 2016

EBSA Annual Conference 2017April 25-28, 2015. Madrid, Spain

Slide 10Stockholm, October 13, 2016

THANK YOU!

Slide 11Milan May 23, 2016

Please visit our new web site for more information!

http://www.ebsaweb.eu/

EBSA’s activities

Promoting the implementation of best practices using management

systems for biosafety and biosecurity

• Promote the application of the risk-based approach to biorisk

management via expert developed standards

- CWA 15793:2011 (ISO TC 212 WG5 ISO/AWI 35001)

• Sustainable knowledge development

• Provide support to the implementation of best practice in biosafety and

biosecurity management through training and education

• Enhance networking and information sharing

Slide 12Stockholm, October 13, 2016

EBSA’s objectives

Raising awareness and understanding in biosafety

• Evidence based biosafety: Identify areas where research is required

to address the lack of data supporting biosafety management and

facilitate research in these areas

• Promote and support national and local biosafety organizations and

meetings

• Provide biosafety information and reports on meetings attended or

specific topics

Slide 13Stockholm, October 13, 2016

EBSA’s objectives

Advocating high standards in competency

• Participate in and steer international initiatives on defining the BSP

competency and certification

• Develop and provide selected EBSA owned courses according to

the BSP curriculum

• Implement a system for certification of BSPs, in accordance with

CWA 16335:2011

Slide 14Stockholm, October 13, 2016

EBSA’s objectives

Representing the interests of the biosafety community

• Scout for new developments that might influence the biosafety

working environment

• Develop positions in line with the overall EBSA approach for

appropriate regulations proportional to the risk

• Coordinate actions with national biosafety organizations and other

stakeholders to ensure that advocacy efforts are directed efficiently

• Participate in global initiatives (e.g. IFBA)

• Form alliances with other biosafety associations and other key

stakeholders working in the life sciences and public health fields

Slide 15Stockholm, October 13, 2016