international federation of biosafety associationsfile/session+ii.+presentation+5_ifba.pdf · •...
TRANSCRIPT
L. Michael Weaver, Ph.D.Program Coordinator
International Federation of Biosafety Associations
International Federation of Biosafety Associations
International Federation of Biosafety Associations
• International non-profit NGO first established in 2001 • “Safe, Secure & Responsible Work with Biological Materials”
• Since then, we have grown to 39 Member regional and national biosafety associations
• Also have official observer organizations (governments, academia, NGOs, international organizations)– BWC Implementation
Support Unit is an official observer organization
International Federation of Biosafety Associations
• IFBA and its members provide assistance to countries in meeting their obligations under the BWC and implementation of UNSCR 1540– Specifically in the areas of biosafety & biosecurity
Role of IFBA Biosafety Associations
• IFBA is a member of Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Non-Governmental Steering Group
• Provide assistance with Biosafety Biosecurity Action Package 3– a whole-of-government national biosafety and biosecurity system to be put in place– biological risk management training and educational outreach to be conducted – country-specific biosafety and biosecurity legislation, laboratory licensing, and
pathogen control measures to be put in place
Role of IFBA Biosafety Associations
IFBA is also a member of the JEE Alliance• support countries in the coordination and implementation of the Joint
External Evaluations and capacity building• enhance multi-sectoral collaboration and foster partnerships between
Biosafety Associations and government ministries in the development and implementation of national biosafety and biosecurity action plans
Role of IFBA Biosafety Associations
• Move from “red” to “green”
Role of IFBA Biosafety Associations
Role of Biosafety Associations
• Countries can demonstrate compliance by “certifying” the competency of individuals in biosafety and biosecurity
Promote Professional Certification
• Previously no mechanism to assess competency in biosafety & biosecurity
• New IFBA program developed in alignment with ISO 17024
IFBA Certifications Offered
• Professional Certification currently offered in 5 technical disciplines• Biorisk Management (English, French, Arabic, Russian, Spanish)• Biosecurity• Biological Waste Management • Biocontainment Facility Design, Operations & Maintenance• Biological Safety Cabinet Selection, Installation & Safe Use
(Certification in Biorisk Management is a pre-requisite to all other certifications)
Biosecurity Exam Content
Biosecurity Exam Content
• Knowledge of BWC included in the biosecurity exam content
• Member Biosafety associations deliver training geared towards exam content – IFBA delivers the examinations & certifications• Exams are being offered in conjunction with our Member
association conferences, meetings and other events• Exams can also be taken anytime online using Remote Proctoring
System (English only at this time online)
Exam Delivery
Exam Statistics to Date
Exam Statistics to Date
Requesting Assistance
• States parties can request assistance by contacting the BWC ISU, the IFBA or through their local biosafety associations • Michael Weaver, Program Coordinator,
[email protected]• Maureen Ellis, Executive Director, [email protected]