Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) has noticed an increase in regulatory inspections and audits related to permits for biological samples. EH&S Biological Safety is available to support your lab in preparation for and during regulatory inspections and permit applications with external (non-UW) agencies to help ensure readiness and compliance. Please inform your laboratory personnel about the following so that they can notify EH&S of inspections and provide the appropriate UW contact information for permits.
REGULATORY INSPECTIONS
If you receive a request for an inspection from an external regulatory agency, promptly notify EH&S Biological Safety. We can provide support to your laboratory and coordinate responses to regulatory agencies.
The following is a list of some external regulatory agencies who may request inspections:
- CDC Import Permit Program (IPP) – regulates the importation of infectious biological materials into the United States, including materials known or reasonably expected to contain an infectious biological agent and vectors of human disease into the United States
- USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) – regulates the importation and interstate transport or movement of biological agents, infectious substances, and vectors of pathogenic diseases for livestock, poultry and crops.
- Department of Transportation (DOT) – regulates the shipping of hazardous materials, including regulated medical waste.
REGULATORY PERMITS
Are you applying for or renewing an external regulatory permit related to biological research or samples? You can use the EH&S Biological Safety email ehsbio@uw.edu as the institutional biosafety contact for any external regulatory permits related to biological samples.
We are working to create additional guidance to assist you with permit applications. In the meantime, please contact us with any questions as you apply for or renew permits.
QUESTIONS
For any biological permit or inspection requests, questions, or further clarification, please reach out to EH&S Biological Safety.