From IFBA Executive Director Ms. Maureen Ellis, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The IFBA would like to announce an update to their Professional Certification in “Biocontainment Facility Design, Operations, and Maintenance”. This new examination reflects current risk-based approaches to laboratory facility infrastructure as outlined in the World Health Organization’s 4^th edition Laboratory Biosafety Manual and supporting monograph in Laboratory Design and Maintenance.

Laboratories are an integral component of global health security and play a major role in the safe and secure handling of biological materials. Building laboratory infrastructure that is highly dependent on engineering controls and technology presents a challenge in many countries where construction and maintenance costs are prohibitive. Rather than taking a high technology approach, the IFBA adopts a sustainable risk-based approach to designing “built-to-purpose” laboratory equipment and infrastructure that is:

• relevant to local circumstances
• tailored to the actual risks of an individual laboratory
• economically feasible and cost-effective to maintain

Click here to learn more and watch the IFBA’s video on sustainable laboratories.