The office of Biological Safety leads efforts in major decisions affecting the biological safety within the city of Boston. The office collaborates with elected officials, municipal employees, organizations and the private sector. The program also leads internal, multidisciplinary team(s) in biological safety activities, including a city working group devoted to the new National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (NEIDL). The primary role of the program includes enforcing three (3) existing regulations that have been promulgated for more than 25 years.

Regulations governing labs in Boston

There are currently three regulations governing labs in the city of Boston:

1. Biological Laboratory Regulation with accompanying Guidelines  
   
2. Disease Surveillance and Reporting Regulation (amended January 10, 2013) with accompanying Guidelines
   
3. Recombinant DNA Technology: Use Regulations (amended February 10, 2004) 
   RDNA Permit Application and Project Registration
• Registration of facilities and agents​

The biological laboratory regulations were adopted on September 19, 2006, and require anyone operating or planning to operate a Biosafety Level 3 or Level 4 biological research laboratory within the City of Boston to apply for and receive a permit to operate from the Boston Public Health Commission. Contact the Boston Public Health Commission to register for access to an on-line application process for you BSL-3 or BSL-4 facility

• Biological Laboratory Regulations FAQs​

Questions? Contact the Environmental Health Office at 617-534-5965 or biologicalsafety@bphc.org.