If you take up targeted activities with biosubstances of risk group 2 or risk group 3 (**) for the first time in laboratories, in laboratory animal husbandry or in biotechnology, you must report this. Notification is also required in these areas for the first-time commencement of non-targeted activities of protection level 2 with biosubstances of risk group 3 or 3 (**), provided that the activities are targeted at these biosubstances and are to be carried out regularly.
The Biological Agents Ordinance (BioStoffV) summarises biological agents under the term "biological agents". Biological agents are essentially microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or fungi that can endanger humans through infections, toxic or sensitising effects.
Many employees are exposed to biological agents in the course of their work. This is particularly the case in activities in the healthcare sector, laboratories, animal husbandry and biotechnology.
The legislator differentiates between targeted and non-targeted activities. A targeted activity is, for example, the planned cultivation of a known bacterium, such as Escherichia coli or S. aureus .
As an employer, you are obliged to notify the competent authority of the following activities:
- in laboratories, in laboratory animal husbandry and in biotechnology, the initial admission:
- targeted activities with biosubstances of risk group 2 as well as with biosubstances of risk group 3, and risk group 3 (**),
- non-targeted activities of protection level 2 with biosubstances of risk group 3, including those labelled with (**), provided that the activities are targeted at these biosubstances and are to be carried out regularly,
- any change to the activities authorised under § 15 BioStoffV or notified under § 16 BioStoffV if these are significant for safety and health protection, for example activities aimed at increasing the virulence of the biological agent or the inclusion of activities with other biological agents of risk group 3 or 4,
- the commissioning of a patient ward of protection level 4 upon admission of an infected patient and the subsequent decommissioning,
- the cessation of an activity requiring a biosubstance licence in accordance with 15.