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Applications for dealings with GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)

  1. Applications for consideration of Exempt Dealings (ED), Notifiable Low Risk Dealings (NLRD) and Dealings Not involving Intentional Release (DNIR) projects are to be submitted on the IBC application. If you have any problems accessing the form please contact the Office of Research (OoR) on (07) 4923 2603 or email ethics@cqu.edu.au
  2. Complete the form, sign it and submit it electronically to the Secretary, Institutional Biosafety Committee, ethics@cqu.edu.au
  3. The application will be processed within the OoR and allocated a number and forwarded to the Chair and the Biosafety Committee for review and an evaluation.
  4. The outcome will be noted on the application form and will be forwarded to the Chief Investigator of the project, together with any conditions of the application. The application may include details from the Gene Technology Regulator where appropriate.
  5. It is the responsibility of the Chief Investigator to inform co-investigators of the approval or conditions to which the project may be subject.

Do you wish to have your facility accredited?

Certain dealings with GMOs must be contained within physical containment facilities. The Regulator provides technical and procedural guidelines for the certification of facilities to specified containment levels. Certification of facilities ensures safety measures are adhered to preventing the release of GMOs into the environment and at the same time protecting persons outside the facility and ensuring the safety of those working with GMOs within the laboratory.

If you wish to apply for the certification of a facility, please download and complete relevant sections of the application proformas provided on the OGTR website, and forward it to the Ethics and Compliance Officer (ethics@cqu.edu.au), or Office of Research, Building 351) for processing.

The certification guidelines establish four levels of containment, listed here in ascending order of the stringency of containment requirements, reflecting the level of risk: 

  •  Physical Containment Level 1 (PC1) 
  •  Physical Containment Level 2 (PC2) 
  •  Physical Containment Level 3 (PC3) 
  •  Physical Containment Level 4 (PC4)

In addition there are different types of facilities designed to contain different forms of organisms and dealings (micro organisms, plants, animals, etc).
Applicants will be required to indicate on the application form the PC level and the type of facility to be certified. The PC level and facility type will dictate which inspection report checklist, if any, should be completed and submitted with the application.
If you wish to apply for a certification of a physical containment facility, the OGTR website provides comprehensive information pertaining to the accreditation process.