Biosecurity Addendum to the Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition

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Date of coming into effect

The Biosecurity Addendum to the Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition comes into effect as a condition of risk group 4 pathogen and toxin licences and terrestrial animal pathogen import/transfer permits on January 5, 2026.

Overview of the biosecurity addendum

The Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition (CBS) establishes requirements for the design, structure, and operation of containment zones to protect humans, animals, and the environment from the risks posed by certain pathogens and toxins. As an extension of the CBS, the Biosecurity Addendum to the Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition (the biosecurity addendum) establishes additional requirements for the highest containment facilities (i.e., containment level 4) to strengthen biosecurity oversight. The requirements found in the biosecurity addendum apply not only to the containment zone, but the premises in which the containment zone is housed.

Risk group 4 pathogen and toxin licence and terrestrial animal pathogen import/transfer permit holders must comply with applicable requirements set out in the CBS, including the biosecurity addendum, as a condition of their licence/permit.

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Who the biosecurity addendum is for

Access the biosecurity addendum

The biosecurity addendum is available on the Public Health Agency of Canada Training Portal.

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