This document defines a process to identify, assess, control, and monitor the risks associated with hazardous biological materials. This document is applicable to any laboratory or other organization that works with, stores, transports, and/or disposes of hazardous biological materials. This document is intended to complement existing International Standards for laboratories.

This document is not intended for laboratories that test for the presence of microorganisms and/or toxins in food or feedstuffs. This document is not intended for the management of risks from the use of genetically modified crops in agriculture.