Presentation of the 15th NMFP meeting held on 13-14 October 2016 in Stockholm

1. European BioSafety Association
Network for Biosafety & Biosecurity
Gijsbert van Willigen
EBSA President 2016 - 2017

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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
2
1
2
8
43
2
47
4
14
26
1
7
9
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
68
Stockholm, October 13, 2016

7. EBSA Partners Organizations
Slide 7Stockholm, October 13, 2016

8. Wider EBSA “Network”
Slide 8
UN
…
AfBSA
ECCO
EC
Natl
minist
EFB
ISBR
CEN
ESCB
FEMS
FEBSOIE
IFBA
IndustryANBio
JBA
A-PBA
OSHA-
EUR
Europa
BIO
ABSA
NBNet
BBP
GeBSA
BTWC
Eliz.
Griffin
Fd
AMEX
Bio
SBNET
ECDC
IBP
BVF
BBNet
IPPC
CBRN
ISO
WHO
[BAG]

9. 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 section
Information
• Pre-conferences courses
• BSP Curriculum and Certification/CWA 16335:2011
• Course certification
Training
• EU Biosecurity and Bio-preparedness – CBRN
Action Plan
• Information for BTWC negotiations, UNSCR 1540
• Enhancing representation
Advocacy
Slide 9Stockholm, October 13, 2016

10. EBSA Annual Conference 2017
April 25-28, 2015. Madrid, Spain
Slide 10Stockholm, October 13, 2016

11. THANK YOU!
Slide 11Milan May 23, 2016
Please visit our new web site for more information!
http://www.ebsaweb.eu/

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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