Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 148, Number 25: Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations

June 21, 2014

Statutory authority

Human Pathogens and Toxins Act

Sponsoring agency

Public Health Agency of Canada

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the regulations.)

Executive summary

Issues

Human pathogens and toxins pose a risk to human health and public safety because of their ability to cause disease or death. The impact of their release can be significant, resulting in severe infection and outbreaks in the community with potential international consequences. Human pathogens and toxins are found naturally in sick persons (e.g. E. coli bacteria), animals (e.g. rabies virus), or contaminated environmental sources (e.g. anthrax). They can be isolated from these natural sources for research and development purposes (e.g. vaccine development), grown to large quantities, and transported between laboratories and facilities. There are approximately 8 500 laboratories in Canada that possess human pathogens and toxins. These laboratories are found in universities and colleges, health care diagnostic facilities, federal, provincial and territorial governments, pharmaceutical and biotechnological facilities, and commercial distributors.

Prior to 2009, federal oversight of human pathogens and toxins was limited to facilities importing human pathogens and toxins under the Human Pathogens Importation Regulations (HPIR). This limited the Government of Canada's ability to verify the safe and secure use of human pathogens or toxins acquired from domestic sources. In 2009, the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA) received royal assent. The purpose of the HPTA is to establish a national safety and security regime to protect the health and safety of the public against the risks posed by human pathogens and toxins.

As an initial measure, select sections of the HPTA were brought into force in 2009 to establish basic biosafety requirements for persons conducting activities involving human pathogens or toxins in Canada. Key requirements are the registration of persons in possession of human pathogens and toxins (section 70), a general duty of care to take all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of the public when knowingly conducting activities with these agents (section 6), a smallpox ban (section 8) and an intentional release prohibition (section 58). In addition, most offence and penalty provisions are in force, as are inspection powers.

However, many sections of the HPTA, particularly those related to security clearances, cannot be brought into force in the absence of regulations. Consequently, the proposed Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations (HPTR), which benefitted from extensive stakeholder consultation, are intended to further enhance the Government of Canada's ability to mitigate the public health and safety risks from human pathogens and toxins.

The inherent risk from human pathogens and toxins is that they may be accidentally or deliberately released into the community, either directly or indirectly when someone becomes infected and spreads the disease. A risk assessment (see footnote 1) conducted by the Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency) confirmed that most incidents have a small or limited impact, but many have the potential to cause catastrophic consequences.

When an incident occurs, it has the potential to lead to serious consequences in terms of lives lost, economic impact, and threat to national security. For example, in October 2001, letters containing anthrax were mailed to various individuals in the United States, resulting in 22 people exposed, 5 deaths and 42 buildings contaminated, at an estimated cost of over one billion dollars. Since these attacks, countries have sought to enhance oversight for biological substances being used within their borders. Consequently, many countries have developed more stringent controls for a range of activities involving human pathogens and toxins. Similarly to other countries, Canada continues its efforts to prevent the accidental or deliberate release of an agent, which could result in substantial social and economic disruption and could have international repercussions. The proposed HPTR would contribute to this objective by providing assurance that individuals with access to a prescribed list of security-sensitive human pathogens and toxins, including anthrax, would hold an appropriate security clearance. In addition, the HPTR would be complemented by non-regulatory standards and guidelines to support biosecurity.

Although the SARS virus emerged from a natural environment and not from a laboratory, its rapid spread worldwide demonstrated how quickly an infectious disease can have severe international consequences. In Toronto alone, SARS infected approximately 23 000 people and caused 44 deaths. Infections in laboratory settings due to improper safety procedures also contributed to the rate of illness. It is now known that laboratories hold the only remaining stocks of the SARS virus, which is still highly infectious. The intent of the proposed HPTR is to mitigate against the risk of an outbreak by improving federal oversight of activities involving human pathogens and toxins in Canada.

In addition to the ongoing risks from existing human pathogens and toxins, there is a risk of novel agents, such as a modified strain of highly virulent influenza, being generated and potentially released. The field of synthetic biology has grown to the point where human pathogens and toxins can now be generated in non-laboratory settings. The proposed HPTR aim to establish national requirements for safe handling of human pathogens and toxins that would apply to all persons who possess or use these agents in Canada, in any type of facility, regardless of how they were generated.

Objectives

The HPTR would enable the Government of Canada to authorize a range of controlled activities involving human pathogens and toxins through licensing and security clearances. In general, the proposed Regulations are intended to

1. improve federal oversight of activities involving human pathogens and toxins in Canada;
2. establish national requirements for safe and secure handling of human pathogens and toxins;
3. provide assurance that individuals with access to a prescribed list of security-sensitive human pathogens and toxins have an appropriate security clearance; and
4. maintain a risk-based approach to this oversight through exemptions for lower-risk activities which pose less of a threat to public health and safety and that are in the public interest.

The HPTR would complete an integrated national program for public health and safety with respect to the inherent risks posed by human pathogens and toxins by bringing the remaining sections of the HPTA into force. The proposed Regulations have been carefully considered and balance public health and safety objectives with the burden placed on regulated parties. Where possible, the use of regulations has been minimized and outcomes would be achieved using more tailored standards, directives, advisories and guidelines.

Description

The proposed regulatory approach is risk-based, with increasingly stringent requirements for higher risk human pathogens and toxins. The Regulations would establish requirements applicable to licensing, security clearances and exemptions.

The Regulations would apply to persons who are knowingly conducting controlled activities with human pathogens and/or toxins, unless they are exempted or excluded by the HPTA or regulations. The HPTA defines and categorizes human pathogens and toxins. There are four risk groups for human pathogens:

• Risk Group 1: no or low individual or community risk with treatment available (e.g. brewer's yeast). These are not considered human pathogens and are not in the scope of the HPTA or the proposed HPTR;
• Risk Group 2: moderate individual risk, low community risk with treatment available (e.g. Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria);
• Risk Group 3: high individual risk, low community risk with treatment available (e.g. SARS coronavirus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis); and
• Risk Group 4: high individual and community risk with treatment not normally available (e.g. Ebola virus, Nipah virus, Marburg virus).

Under the HPTA, a toxin is a substance that is produced by, or derived from, a micro-organism and is able to cause disease in a human. Toxins are not classified by risk group as, unlike pathogens, there is no risk of spread in the community.

As an additional level of categorization, the Regulations would prescribe a list of certain Risk Group 3 and 4 human pathogens and certain toxins that are considered to be of sufficient risk to warrant additional biosecurity requirements. These prescribed human pathogens and toxins are also referred to as Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA).

A brief summary of the key elements contained in the proposed Regulations follows.

Licensing

The HPTA requires that a person hold a licence to conduct any of the following controlled activities:

• (a) possessing, handling or using a human pathogen or toxin;
• (b) producing a human pathogen or toxin;
• (c) storing a human pathogen or toxin;
• (d) permitting any person access to a human pathogen or toxin;
• (e) transferring a human pathogen or toxin;
• (f) importing or exporting a human pathogen or toxin;
• (g) releasing or otherwise abandoning a human pathogen or toxin; or
• (h) disposing of a human pathogen or toxin.

While the HPTA (sections 18 and 19) authorizes the Minister of Health (the Minister) to issue and manage much of the licensing regime administratively, the proposed Regulations would clearly specify the terms of licences and the universal conditions of such licences in order to be transparent to regulated parties and to ensure consistency in application. The HPTR would specify that licences will be issued using a risk-based approach such that the term of a licence will vary from one to five years depending on the risk group of the human pathogen. Other elements of the licensing regime, such as details regarding the form and manner of applications, as well as situation-specific conditions of licence, would be specified administratively by the Agency to allow for flexibility. This approach has advantages for organizations with many laboratories, such as universities. To maintain transparency, guidance documents would be made available to regulated parties.

This licensing scheme would replace the current import permit regime under the HPIR. Once the proposed HPTR come into force, those subject to the new licensing regime would have 90 days to apply for a licence so that ongoing activities would not be interrupted or adversely impacted.

Before a licence is issued, the HPTA (section 36) requires that a biological safety officer (BSO) be designated and given specific functions. In addition to the BSO being the main point of contact, the BSO's primary responsibilities would be to promote and monitor compliance with the regulatory framework and applicable national biosafety and biosecurity standards. The BSO would be required to do this in a number of ways, including assisting in the maintenance of a biosafety manual and standard operating procedures, and conducting periodic inspections and biosafety audits. Further, to support the BSO in carrying out his or her functions, the HPTR would specify that he or she has the authority to access records, including inventories; training records; and records of import, transfer and export activities.

The Regulations would specify universal conditions of all licences, including a condition that the BSO not be obstructed when carrying out his or her mandatory functions. Additional conditions would require that the BSO be notified before the import, export or transfer of human pathogens and/or toxins, that any missing shipments of human pathogens and/or toxins be reported to the BSO, and that efforts be made to locate these missing shipments.

There would also be a condition that if a person conducting controlled activities discovers that they have inadvertently come into possession of a human pathogen or toxin that they are not licensed to possess, they must immediately notify the BSO of the inadvertent possession; ensure the agent is appropriately handled and stored; and transfer or dispose of the agent within 30 days if they do not wish to become licensed for the agent. The BSO would be responsible for informing the Agency of these events.

There would be an additional condition for licences respecting prescribed (SSBA) human pathogens or toxins that reflects the increased level of risk these agents may pose. The proposed Regulations would require that a person who does not receive a prescribed (SSBA) agent within 24 hours of the date and time it was expected notify the Minister that they have not received it, as well as take reasonable efforts to locate the shipment.

Finally, for facilities conducting scientific research, there would be an additional requirement to submit information on how their facility internally manages biosafety and biosecurity, including information on roles and responsibilities of key biosafety personnel or committees, before the licence would be issued.

Security

The Regulations would prescribe a subset of Risk Group 3 and 4 human pathogens and toxins, which are also referred to by the Agency as Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA). These are defined based on an international consensus of high risk agents requiring control measures, as determined by semi-annual meetings of an organization called the Australia Group, which is dedicated to restricting the spread of biological and chemical weapons. The HPTA (section 33) requires that no person shall enter the part of a facility where controlled activities are authorized with prescribed Risk Group 3 and 4 human pathogens or prescribed toxins unless they hold a security clearance or they are accompanied and supervised by someone who holds a security clearance. Certain prescribed (SSBA) toxins would have quantity thresholds at or below which a security clearance would not be required.

The HPTR would specify the information that must be submitted by eligible adults to request a security clearance. The Regulations further define the record checks and the factors that the Minister must take into account when determining if the applicant poses an undue risk to the health or safety of the public. The Minister could postpone processing the application if a criminal charge is outstanding against the applicant. Once issued, the security clearance would be valid for up to five years and would be portable to allow access to additional facilities, providing that the licence holder for each new facility confirms that the individual requires access to the facility. The Minister could suspend or revoke the security clearance if there is information that could change the Minister's determination, such as a new criminal conviction. The proposed Regulations would stipulate that the Minister will provide, in writing to the applicant, the basis of the decision to refuse, suspend or revoke a security clearance.

The HPTR would also include provisions specifying that a person with a security clearance may only accompany and supervise one person without security clearance at a time. A person without a security clearance may not be accompanied and supervised if that person's security clearance has been refused, suspended or revoked. The HPTR would require that the facility maintain a record of each occasion when a person without a security clearance is accompanied and supervised.

Exemptions

The proposed Regulations would include the following exemptions, to reduce the regulatory burden in areas where activities are low-risk and in the public interest.

First, the proposed Regulations would exempt human pathogens from the risk group definitions in the situation where the human pathogen has been modified or attenuated to the extent that it no longer meets its original risk profile. For example, if the agent has been modified such that it poses a much lower individual or community risk (i.e. a vaccine strain of influenza), or if treatment is more readily available (i.e. antibiotics). The Agency would be notified to initiate a discussion about the new risk classification of the modified strain.

Second, the HPTR would exempt persons conducting certain low-risk activities from the licensing requirement. This exemption is based on the criteria that the human pathogens are not cultivated or otherwise produced, or that any production is in a sealed container that is decontaminated before disposal. This would appropriately exempt many rapid diagnostic tests; one example would be the rapid test for the presence of group B Streptococcus that is performed on pregnant women just prior to delivery. Any controlled activities in this category would however remain in the scope of the HPTA and, therefore, all reasonable precautions must be taken to protect the health and safety of the public when they are knowingly conducted (section 6, HPTA). This exemption would only be applicable to activities conducted with agents that are not prions or prescribed (SSBA) human pathogens.

Third, there would be an exemption from licensing that would reduce the impact of the HPTR on veterinary clinics. These clinics conduct low-risk activities with pathogens that are capable of infecting both humans and animals, such as obtaining rapid laboratory results for illnesses such as ringworm and bovine mastitis. The exempted controlled activities involving human pathogens would also remain in the scope of the HPTA and, therefore, all reasonable precautions must be taken to protect the health and safety of the public when they are knowingly conducted (section 6, HPTA). This exemption would not apply to veterinary research institutions or to dedicated veterinary diagnostic laboratories that receive samples from multiple clinics.

Finally, recognizing that laboratories can be shared or used for multiple purposes, the HPTR would exempt a person from requiring a security clearance to enter a location if the prescribed (SSBA) human pathogens or toxins authorized for use in that location are either not present or locked away and inaccessible.

Additional non-regulatory program elements

To support the implementation of the proposed Regulations, a suite of standards, guidelines and other tools would be developed and made publicly available before the HPTR come into force.

The Canadian Biosafety Standards (CBS) provide the detailed additional physical and operational requirements for biosafety and biosecurity when conducting controlled activities with respect to all human pathogens and toxins. The CBS are currently in place, but have been revised to align with the proposed HPTR, and the updated version is available for public comment. (see footnote 2)

As appropriate, based on feedback from regulated parties and an assessment of the level of risk, the Agency would develop biosafety directives to provide clarity for a sector-specific approach. For example, the Agency has developed, in collaboration with an expert panel, the Biosafety Directive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) to set specific containment requirements for laboratories working with HIV and HTLV-1. (see footnote 3) This directive provides clarity and guidance to reflect that these viruses can be safely handled in facilities that are designed for work with Risk Group 2 human pathogens, with certain additional precautions, although they have characteristics that define them as Risk Group 3 human pathogens.

The guidelines and other tools, such as Pathogen Safety Data Sheets, will be made available to provide regulated parties with additional clarity and information to assist them in achieving compliance with the HPTA, the HPTR and the CBS.

Regulatory and non-regulatory options considered

Option 1: Status quo — The HPTA is partially in force with no new regulations

The HPTA was enacted in 2009 to mitigate the risk to public health and safety from human pathogens and toxins. At that time, several key obligations and prohibitions were brought into force, such as a requirement to register with the Agency, a prohibition against conducting any controlled activities with smallpox, and a duty of care to take all reasonable precautions when conducting a controlled activity. However, while the HPTA authorizes the Minister to issue licences and to administratively manage a licensing regime without regulations, regulations are required to prescribe a list of human pathogens or toxins that trigger the security clearance requirements set out in the HPTA.

For this reason, in addition to the fact that it would entail maintaining an Act that is not fully in force, this option was rejected.

Option 2: Regulations made under all authorities in the HPTA

The HPTA provides authorities to make regulations in numerous areas, including the containment levels for human pathogens and toxins, the decontamination of material, equipment and places, the content of inventories, and specific details of facilities, such as their location and physical layout. The Agency's analysis of program and stakeholder feedback indicates that the increased stringency of fixed regulatory requirements in these areas could have negative impacts on industry, on research and on innovation.

For this reason, this option was rejected.

Option 3: Develop minimal regulations to bring remaining sections of HPTA into force, supported by a risk-based program

This option is preferred as it would bring the HPTA into full force without imposing an undue burden on regulated parties. Regulatory intervention would be limited to areas of specific need, balancing a clear communication of areas requiring regulatory oversight with a flexible regulatory program that can adapt to the requirements of different operating environments. This approach would respond to Parliament's direction that the regulations should impose less stringent requirements on lower-risk pathogens. The new HPTA program and regulatory policy framework would include a mix of policy instruments designed and informed in such a way as to better ensure compliance while not being unduly burdensome on industry or restricting research and innovation.

Option 3 is the recommended approach.

Benefits and costs

The Agency has identified and analyzed the key costs and benefits of the proposed regulations. The analysis included impacts of the proposed regulations on regulated parties, the Government and the Canadian public. This analysis was based on a projected scenario that is believed to represent the most likely outcome of the regulatory changes. Efforts were made to provide quantitative and monetized estimates of the impacts; however, due to limitations with data availability and uncertainties in the available information, it was not possible to quantify and monetize all expected impacts of the proposed regulations. Qualitative assessments are provided in instances when quantification and/or monetization were not possible. Historical case studies were used to provide orders of magnitude estimates of the potential damages associated with a toxin or pathogen release, and to estimate the level of risk reduction that these regulations would need to achieve in order for benefits to outweigh costs. Results of the analysis undertaken are summarized below. More details on the analysis conducted and the underlying data are available on request. (see footnote 4)

The cost-benefit analysis (CBA) identifies and quantifies, to the extent possible, the incremental costs and benefits of the proposed regulations by comparing the proposed regulations to the status quo.

It is expected that stakeholders subject to the proposed HPTR will experience a range of costs depending on their current practices. For example, laboratories that currently import human pathogens and toxins or those that have voluntarily adopted the current standards would experience a smaller incremental cost impact than those that would be newly regulated. Also, it is expected that the cost of the proposed regulations would decrease as stakeholders become more familiar with the regulatory requirements and program standards and further develop internal accountability systems for their organizations.

Benefits

The analysis quantified and monetized the beneficial impacts of the HPTR in terms of the avoided costs from historical examples of significant public health and safety incidents resulting from the accidental or intentional release of human pathogens and toxins in the community. Benefits were also quantified and monetized in terms of the avoided regulatory requirements under the HPIR, which would be repealed when the HPTR come into force. Additional benefits were estimated in terms of the positive impacts that nationally consistent standards and licensing would have for regulated parties and for the Government.

Public health and safety avoided costs

A key benefit of the proposed regulations is the human and economic costs avoided through the reduction in the probability of an accidental or intentional release of a human pathogen or toxin. Data are not currently available to quantify exactly what the current risk levels of a release are, and how those risks would change due to the HPTR. However, given the potential for a catastrophic outcome in the event of an accidental or intentional release, even a small reduction in risk is expected to provide a significant benefit to society.

An analysis was conducted of the impacts of past incidents related to the release of human pathogens or toxins in the community. As an example, the 2003 SARS outbreak resulted in 44 deaths, over 200 hospitalizations and over 23 000 people placed in quarantine in Toronto. Some infections were due to improper procedures in laboratory settings. The total impact to society of this incident included the direct costs of illness, lost income, and increased costs related to controlling the outbreak. Impacts to industry were also experienced, with the hospitality and tourism sectors reporting significant lost revenue. Considering published estimates of the economic and financial costs of the outbreak, along with estimated social welfare impacts associated with increased mortality rates, it is estimated that the total socio-economic impact of the SARS outbreak was at least $1.9 billion (in 2012 dollars). This estimate does not include the full social welfare impact of the illness, such as fear, pain or suffering.

Although the risk of another SARS-like outbreak is low, the proposed HPTR have the potential to reduce that risk even further. Given the magnitude of the damages caused by serious pathogen outbreaks, even small reductions in risk have significant social benefits. Based on available data, it is not possible to quantify the reduction in risks that can be achieved by these Regulations. However, comparing the known costs of the Regulations, with the potential costs of a pathogen or toxin release indicates what level of risk reduction these Regulations would need to achieve in order for the benefits to outweigh the costs. For example, if these Regulations could prevent a large-scale outbreak similar to SARS, then the annual benefits would be significant. In other words, it is anticipated that these Regulations would more than break even, with benefits exceeding costs, provided that they are able to reduce the annual risks associated with a SARS-like incident by at least 0.5%.

Avoided requirements of the HPIR

Under the HPTR, licences would be issued using risk-based criteria, with the majority of laboratories eligible for a 5-year licence that authorizes possession of, handling, using, producing, storing, permitting any person access to, transferring, importing, and exporting Risk Group 2 human pathogens and non-prescribed (non-SSBA) toxins. The HPIR would be repealed, eliminating the current requirement to obtain an annual permit to import human pathogens and toxins, at an estimated benefit of $0.27 million in 2015, with an overall savings of $3.28 million over 20 years, discounted at 7%. These savings include time to obtain an import permit as well as the time to comply with the conditions of the permit. Not quantified are the benefits of avoiding delays in obtaining a permit.

Qualitative benefits

An additional benefit of the national licensing program would be the clarity provided by national standards for biosafety and bio-security, as well as clarification of roles and responsibilities within the regulated organizations. This is particularly the case for biological safety officers (BSOs), since their minimum qualifications and mandatory functions would be specified in the Regulations.

The national licensing program would bring several requirements into force for incident reports to be filed with the Agency. This national monitoring would provide an opportunity to identify and correct deficiencies in standard operating procedures and provide an opportunity to learn from trend analysis to identify high- risk activities and potential corrective actions.

The licensing and security measures proposed would allow for an improved ability to track where dangerous human pathogens and toxins are stored and used within Canada. This is intended to assist the Government of Canada in an emergency response in the event of a deliberate or accidental release of a human pathogen or toxin. In addition, the licensing provisions would allow the Government to rapidly identify people with microbiological expertise that could assist in a national response to an emerging issue or public health infectious disease threat.

By way of the proposed security requirements, the regulatory framework would support national security. Although the potential risk may be low, the deliberate release of a human pathogen could be catastrophic. The HPTR would bring Canada into closer regulatory alignment with biosecurity and biosafety regimes in other countries such as the United States and Australia. In a globalized world, consistency in the degree of security and risk assigned to the most dangerous pathogens and toxins can effectively deter intentional release.

Costs

The analysis quantified and monetized the regulatory compliance and administrative costs to regulated parties associated with the new requirements under the proposed HPTR. The analysis also takes into account the costs required for the Government to administer the program, which were identified in Budget 2008.

Costs to regulated parties

The quantified costs to all regulated parties were assessed in the areas of licence applications, licence renewals, BSO functions, security clearances and accompaniment and supervision for security purposes. To arrive at the overall figures presented here, the average costs were estimated on a “per laboratory” basis, and multiplied across the estimated 8 500 laboratories in Canada conducting activities involving human pathogens and toxins. An assumption was made that the number of laboratories in Canada will grow at a rate of 1.0 % per year.

The costs to regulated parties are estimated at $2.41 million nationally in the first year after the HPTR come into force. These costs would then decrease in each year thereafter, largely because only new laboratories would need to apply for a licence and because over 98% of the existing laboratories (those working with Risk Group 2 human pathogens) would only renew their licence every five years. The licence renewal costs have been estimated to be less than the cost of a new licence application. The total costs to regulated parties are estimated at $19.42 million over 20 years, discounted at 7%.

Costs to Government

The costs to Government for program administration would include costs associated with dedicated staff, operations and maintenance, training, supplies and other corporate overhead. These ongoing costs ($6.82 million in the first year after the Regulations would come into force) were identified in Budget 2008 for the implementation of this program, and no new funds would be required to establish the program as described.

These costs would be associated with the administration of the licensing program, an inspection program for compliance monitoring and enforcement of the regulatory requirements, and the processing and delivery of security clearances. The cost estimate includes the development and maintenance of an electronic data management system to streamline the program for stakeholders. (see footnote 5)

Other qualitative costs considered

Initial assessments of the proposed HPTR identified additional areas of potential cost. (see footnote 6) These included costs to regulated parties for inspections, reporting requirements, inventories and maintaining a list of persons authorized to access the facility. These costs have not been quantified in the analysis, based on the following considerations. Inspection authorities have been in place since the HPTA came partially into force in 2009 and no changes are proposed to the duration or requirements of these inspections under the HPTR. Based on stakeholder feedback, the incidents of inadvertent release, stolen or missing agents and exposures that would require reports to the Agency would be sporadic with an unpredictable frequency, making them very difficult to quantify. The inventory requirement would be extremely flexible in terms of systems and mechanisms that may be used to achieve compliance, and most stakeholders indicated that they already had inventory systems in place. Finally, the form and scope of the list of persons would also be determined by each licence holder to take advantage of their existing records, documents and systems, and a new list would not be expected to meet this requirement.

		Base Year: 2015	Year 10: 2024	Final Year: 2034	Total (PV (see reference †))	Annualized Average
A. Quantified impacts (in million CAN$, 2014 price level / constant dollars) Benefits
Canadian public	Public health and safety — avoided costs (see reference *)	$4.57	$4.68	$4.75	$93.48	$4.68
Regulated parties	HPIR — avoided requirements	$0.27	$0.16	$0.09	$3.28	$0.16
Total benefits		$4.84	$4.84	$4.84	$96.76	$4.84
Costs
Regulated parties	New HPTR requirements	-$2.41	-$0.88	-$0.49	-$19.42	-$0.97
Government	Program administration costs	-$6.82	-$3.71	-$1.89	-$77.34	-$3.87
Total costs		-$9.23	-$4.59	-$2.38	-$96.76	-$4.84
Net benefits					$0 (see reference **)
B. Qualitative impacts
Universal standards and licence conditions would provide national consistency for all regulated parties. A single licence covering a range of controlled activities would allow institutions to manage their local environment without the unpredictability of the annual import permit process. Organizations that currently import human pathogens and toxins or that have voluntarily adopted the current standards experience less incremental cost impact than those that would be newly regulated.

Reference †
The policy impact period is the present value (PV) of the proposal in 2012 dollars over 20 years, from 2015 to 2034. As per the Treasury Board Secretariat's cost-benefit analysis guide, (see footnote 7) a 7% discount rate was used to calculate this value.

Reference *
The quantitative benefit analysis has identified that if the proposed Regulations are able to prevent even half of one percent of the chance of a serious public health and safety incident in any given year, such as the damages that a SARS outbreak could generate, then the Regulations will produce a net benefit. In other words, it is anticipated that these Regulations would more than break even, with benefits exceeding costs, provided that they are able to reduce the annual risks associated with a SARS-like incident by at least 0.5%. (See the cost-benefit analysis report for details, which is available on request from HPTA.LAPHT.consultations@phac-aspc.gc.ca.)

Reference **
The quantitative benefit analysis has identified that if the proposed Regulations are able to prevent even half of one percent of the chance of a serious public health and safety incident in any given year, such as the damages that a SARS outbreak could generate, then the Regulations will produce a net benefit. In other words, it is anticipated that these Regulations would more than break even, with benefits exceeding costs, provided that they are able to reduce the annual risks associated with a SARS-like incident by at least 0.5%. (See the cost-benefit analysis report for details, which is available on request from HPTA.LAPHT.consultations@phac-aspc.gc.ca.)

“One-for-One” Rule

The “One-for-One” Rule was implemented to control new administrative burden imposed on businesses as a result of regulations. In summary, the rule requires that departments

• restrict the growth of administrative burden by ensuring that new administrative burden on business introduced by a regulatory change is offset by an equal decrease in administrative burden on business from the existing stock of regulations; and
• control the number of regulations by repealing at least one existing regulation every time a new one imposing administrative burden on business is introduced.

Stakeholders were extensively consulted on the proposed Regulations and the associated program framework. As a result of their input, the proposed Regulations were developed to minimize, to the extent possible, administrative burden while respecting the objective to protect and maintain the health, safety and security of Canadians. Within this regulatory proposal, the administrative burden costs would be associated with submitting licence applications, submitting security clearance applications (if required), learning about regulatory requirements, and submitting notifications. The administrative changes that would be implemented through the proposed regulations result in an increased administrative burden to the regulated parties in the private sector (pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostic, and distributors), estimated to be $230,000 per year. The proposed Regulations are considered a new administrative burden under the “One-for-One” Rule.

On the day the HPTR come into force, the proposed Regulations Repealing the Human Pathogens Importation Regulations would repeal the HPIR. The repeal of the HPIR would offset the implementation of the proposed Regulations, satisfying the second element of the “One-for-One” Rule.

Small business lens (see footnote 8)

The extent to which small business would be impacted by the proposed regulations is expected to be minimal. Through two Agency-sponsored questionnaires, an internal analysis of industry sectors, and the consultation process, the Agency attempted to identify small businesses that possess human pathogens and toxins. In a comprehensive survey of organizations using human pathogens and toxins in Canada, 7% self-identified as being a small business. The majority of stakeholders that will be regulated under the proposed HPTR are either medium or large businesses or fall into the academic, government, hospital and college or university sectors.

Flexible option

In developing the Regulations, the supporting program and the implementation plan, the Agency considered options that would minimize burden on small businesses, as well as all stakeholders regardless of their size. The proposed Regulations would balance minimizing regulatory burden to business with protecting the health and safety of the public from risks posed by human pathogens and toxins. The regulatory proposal as it is presented would require laboratories working with Risk Group 2 human pathogens to renew their licence every five years instead of annually and would not impose annual retraining requirements for persons conducting controlled activities with human pathogens and toxins. This conservative estimate of a “flexible option” would result in a reduced burden to small businesses, at an estimated national total of $82,000 annually.

Other aspects of the Regulations that would minimize burden are the use of an online tool for licence application, notification and reports; defined trigger quantities for prescribed (SSBA) toxins at or below which an HPTA security clearance would not be required; and a 90-day transition period after the HPTR would come into force. In addition, the Agency would develop tools such as online training and targeted guidance documents to assist all regulated parties in complying with the proposed Regulations.

Following publication of the HPTR in the Canada Gazette, Part I, the Agency will consider additional feedback received during the 75-day comment period that could identify other opportunities to minimize the burden on small businesses while respecting the policy intent of the HPTA.

Short description	Initial Option		Flexible Option
	e.g. Renew licence and retrain annually		e.g. Renew licence every 5 years and only train/retrain as necessary
Maximum number of small businesses impacted	80		80
	Annualized Average ($ 2012)	Present Value ($ 2012)	Annualized Average ($ 2012)	Present Value ($ 2012)
Compliance costs	$71,300	$500,800	$69,930	$491,180
Administrative costs	$26,850	$188,590	$11,970	$84,090
Total costs	$98,150	$689,390	$81,910	$575,270
Average cost per small business	$1,230	$8,620	$1,020	$7,190
Risk considerations			Longer licence terms only apply to the Risk Group 2 laboratories (small businesses identified have only RG2 laboratories). Refresher training has been determined to be appropriate for staff instead of annual retraining.

Consultation

Since September 2007, stakeholders have been given the opportunity to provide input into the development of the program and regulatory framework under the HPTA. Limited consultations regarding the HPTA legislative framework were held across Canada in September 2007. Following the tabling of the first version of the HPTA in the House of Commons in April 2008, information sessions were held across Canada in the summer of 2008 and the winter of 2009 on the draft legislation. These information sessions generated numerous recommendations from stakeholders, including amendments to the HPTA relating to the powers of inspectors and changes to the schedules.

The HPTA was again tabled in the House of Commons in February 2009 and underwent rigorous examination by committees in both the House of Commons and the Senate before becoming law on June 23, 2009.

The Agency held several national consultations in person, online and bilaterally, to inform the development of the program and regulatory framework for the HPTA from 2010 to 2013. Stakeholders from academia, health care, and the private and public sectors participated in the consultations. These sessions are summarized below. (see footnote 9)

Pre-consultations

As recommended by parliamentarians and committee witnesses, the Agency designed a comprehensive consultation process to ensure interested and affected parties would have multiple engagement opportunities at all stages of the regulatory development process. The consultation approach was informed by input and feedback received during preliminary face-to-face discussions with each province and territory in 2010, and electronically with 16 national associations. The pre-consultations were well-received and viewed as a positive first step towards further meaningful and ongoing discussions.

Consultations on policy direction

Between January and June 2012, formal sessions were held in 10 provinces and 3 territories via in-person and Web-based processes with stakeholders representing the pharmaceutical industry, the biotechnology industry, academic institutions, government laboratories, private diagnostic laboratories, and hospitals. These consultations were designed to seek input on the design of key HPTA program elements raised during the parliamentary process, namely

• licensing;
• functions and qualifications of biological safety officers;
• inventory requirements;
• reporting of laboratory acquired infections; and
• security clearance requirements.

The Agency heard that stakeholders were engaged in different activities involving pathogens, that risk was not uniform and that different sectors managed the risks differently. Stakeholders favoured a licensing framework that would result in low administrative burden and reflect the risk of the human pathogen or toxin. Many stakeholders provided input on the role and responsibility of the BSOs, suggesting that the BSOs should be involved in compliance activities and be assigned functions and powers that would assist in exercising their role. All sectors agreed that maintaining an inventory is important but, to minimize burden, the inventory requirements should be risk-based, with less information required for lower-risk human pathogens and toxins. Preference for a centralized versus decentralized inventory system depended on the sector; for example, the hospital sector indicated a preference for a centralized system. Stakeholder concern was noted with respect to the time required to obtain a security clearance and the possible impact on their ability to conduct research. There was also a concern that some employees might experience challenges in obtaining a clearance. Finally, the Agency learned that academia might benefit from enhanced engagement to ensure that biosecurity requirements would not negatively impact Canada's science and innovation capacity.

Consultations on key policy elements

Additional formal consultations, held from March to June 2013, presented and sought stakeholder input on the Agency's proposed policy approaches for the five key program elements (i.e. licensing, biological safety officers, inventory, exposure reporting, and security clearances). These sessions also provided stakeholders with an opportunity to identify potential cost drivers and implementation challenges. There were in-person sessions in addition to electronic consultations.

Overall, stakeholders continued to voice support for a regulatory framework with questions focusing more on the operational aspects of implementing the proposed Regulations and non-regulatory elements. The Agency heard that the proposed licensing framework was not well understood and that stakeholders would like more information on BSO qualifications and functions, as well as support such as training programs. The Agency took this input into account and will be developing materials to support implementation, such as online training tools and guidance documents.

With regard to security clearances, stakeholders, and particularly the academic community, were concerned that the inclusion of some toxins on the SSBA list might significantly increase the need for security clearance to account for those using the prescribed (SSBA) toxins in minute quantities. As a result, trigger quantities for prescribed (SSBA) toxins were established. Based on concerns that the security application might place additional burden on foreign applicants, flexibility was added to the HPTR to allow foreign applicants to submit alternate documents for consideration.

In addition to the formal consultations, the Agency developed an engagement strategy to inform stakeholders about the HPTR and to seek the input of selected governments, specialized organizations and associations, and subject matter experts regarding the development of the program and regulatory framework. Input was specifically sought from all provinces and territories; over 50 key national associations, including teaching associations, associations of diagnostic facilities, standards councils, medical and veterinarian associations, and specific associations such as Consumer Health Products Canada, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and the Canadian Laboratory Food Forum; and various federal partners. In addition, further discussions were held with universities and academic associations, to reach and obtain input from administrators, researchers and biosafety personnel.

Stakeholder recommendations adopted

The feedback received from stakeholders was carefully considered by the Agency. Recommendations to improve the regulatory framework that were put forward by stakeholders and adopted by the Agency in this proposal include

• a risk-based licensing framework;
• the elimination of certain document requirements, such as importation permits, transfer authorizations, and checklists from the licence application;
• the elimination of the requirement to file inventories with the Agency on a yearly basis;
• the alignment of inventory requirements with operational practices such that inventory would only be required for long-term storage of human pathogens and toxins;
• the expansion of the role of the BSO to include mandatory qualifications, functions and one power (in addition to the “no obstruction” condition of licence);
• the establishment of a prescribed human pathogen and toxin (SSBA) list requiring security clearances in lieu of requiring a security clearance for all persons who work with Risk Group 3 and 4 human pathogens;
• the establishment of quantities for prescribed (SSBA) toxins that would trigger the security clearance requirement;
• the elimination of automatic yearly inspections of large-scale facilities with Risk Group 2 human pathogens and Risk Group 3 human pathogens;
• the exemption of certain activities informed by diagnostic laboratory practices so that activities that are low-risk and in the public interest would not require licensing;
• the exemption of veterinary diagnostic activities taking place in the context of a clinical practice; and
• a 90-day transition period to apply for licences and security clearances after the HPTR would come into force to minimize any adverse impact on ongoing business.

These changes would result in a substantial reduction in qualitative regulatory burden for stakeholders compared to what was originally presented as a policy proposal, while maintaining the public health and safety objectives of the HPTR. Overall, stakeholders have been supportive of the objectives of this regulatory proposal, and have expressed constructive comments that have informed many of the specific approaches and requirements.

Regulatory cooperation

International consistency in the approach to controlling access to the most dangerous human pathogens and toxins can be a deterrent for those with malicious intent. In developing the proposed Regulations, the Agency analyzed approaches used in other countries and consulted with international regulators. The proposed HPTR would align Canada with other like-minded countries, such as the United States and Australia. With the proposed Regulations, Canada, Australia and the United States would require the equivalent of a biosafety officer and security screening for those working with a defined list of dangerous pathogens and toxins. Regimes in Canada, Australia and the United States would also exempt similar activities that do not pose a significant threat to either safety or security, such as certain diagnostic testing.

There are some differences in Canada's proposed regulatory approach to those other international regimes. For example, the HPTA and the proposed HPTR would apply to those human pathogens or toxins that pose a risk to the health and safety of Canadians, not just those agents that could be weaponized (which is the focus of the Australian and U.S. legislation). Canada would be the first country to introduce a risk-based licensing system, which is a progressive approach to regulating human pathogens and toxins. The Canadian approach would have the advantage of providing oversight of dual-use research, or legitimate technology that can be co-opted for illegal use.

The Regulations would also advance Canada's objectives as they relate to meeting its international commitments under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 and the World Health Organization Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

As part of regulatory development, the Agency conducted a thorough analysis of provincial and territorial legislation related to human pathogens and toxins to identify potential implementation options that would minimize regulatory duplication and burden. The two main areas where some potential for overlap has been identified by provincial counterparts are with medical and diagnostic laboratory accreditation programs (where they exist) and provincial/territorial occupational health and safety schemes.

The Agency would continue to work bilaterally with provincial and territorial counterparts to identify options that effectively reduce any potential overlap and build upon synergies where there are similar goals or objectives.

Rationale

The proposed Regulations are a critical component that would bring the HPTA into full force. Human pathogens and toxins pose a risk to human health and public safety whether through an accidental release from a laboratory, an infected worker or a deliberate release by way of an act of terrorism or other criminal activity. Prior to 2009, the HPIR regulatory program had oversight over imported human pathogens and toxins but not domestic agents. With the passage of the HPTA in 2009, select provisions came into force to provide interim measures until a complete program and regulatory framework could be developed. The impact of an intentional or unintentional misuse of human pathogens and toxins to public health and safety can be significant, and the proposed HPTR would further reduce that risk.

The proposed Regulations and other program components were based on a collaborative consultation with stakeholders. The proposed Regulations would be risk-based so that stakeholders working with lower-risk human pathogens or toxins are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as those conducting controlled activities with higher-risk agents. This would protect public health and safety while minimizing any adverse impact on research and innovation.

Implementation, enforcement and service standards

Repeal of the Human Pathogens Importation Regulations (HPIR)

The HPIR would be repealed under the Department of Health Act and replaced by the HPTR under the HPTA. A licence under the HPTR would allow regulated parties to import human pathogens, in addition to other controlled activities as specified in their licence application.

Compliance and enforcement

Compliance and enforcement activities under the HPTR would continue to be guided by the Agency's compliance and enforcement policy (see footnote 10) for human pathogens and toxins. The policy outlines the approach that would be taken for compliance promotion, compliance monitoring and enforcement.

Compliance promotion is a proactive approach to assisting regulated parties to achieve compliance through education and information sharing. The Agency's compliance promotion activities would continue to include training programs, participating in national symposia, publication and distribution of standards and guidance, including directives, advisories and Pathogen Safety Data Sheets. The Agency would continue to monitor emerging trends, science and technologies to inform evidence and risk-based decision making with regard to biosafety, biocontainment and biosecurity.

Compliance monitoring would be achieved by verifying that regulated activities are carried out in accordance with the HPTA and the proposed HPTR. Compliance monitoring could take the form of on-site inspections, evaluation of biosafety programs, and/or analysis of information provided by regulated parties. When verifying compliance, considerations would include the level of risk of the human pathogen or toxin, the activity undertaken, and the risk to the health and safety of the public.

The Agency would continue to respond to non-compliance through one or a combination of tools where the primary objective is to manage the risk and bring the regulated party into compliance using the most appropriate level of intervention. Considerations would include the level of risk, the degree of potential harm caused by the infraction, the compliance history of the regulated party, the likelihood that the problem will recur and the outcome of the enforcement action. If deemed necessary, enforcement action that may be taken by the Agency would include a letter of noncompliance; variance, suspension or cancellation of a licence; voluntary disposal; issuance of orders by inspectors; seizure, detention or forfeiture; or investigation and prosecution.

Service standards

In keeping with the Agency's commitment to improving service delivery in support of Red Tape Reduction initiatives, service standards would be developed for the licensing, security clearance and stakeholder communications portions of the new regulatory program. These service standards would be available on the Agency's Web site at www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/about_apropos/act-reg-lois/ss-ns-eng.php.

Performance measurement and evaluation

In keeping with the Government's life-cycle approach to regulatory development, the Agency would evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed HPTR in meeting its objectives. The performance measurement and evaluation plan would specify the variables to be measured and would include elements such as compliance and enforcement activities, incident reporting, and stakeholder inquiries and feedback. Performance standards would be developed for regulatory authorizations such as licensing, HPTA security clearance and other key program elements as required. To the extent possible, the evaluation of the Regulation would be incorporated into existing performance frameworks and reporting time periods, with the first evaluation to take place no more than five years after the HPTR come into force and at least every five years thereafter.

Contact

Kirsten Mattison
Director
Office of Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Affairs
Centre for Biosecurity
Public Health Agency of Canada
100 Colonnade Road
Postal Locator: 6201C
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Email: Kirsten.Mattison@phac-aspc.gc.ca

Small Business Lens Checklist

1. Name of the sponsoring regulatory organization:

2. Title of the regulatory proposal:

3. Is the checklist submitted with a RIAS for the Canada Gazette, Part I or Part II?

Canada Gazette, Part I Canada Gazette, Part II

A. Small business regulatory design

I	Communication and transparency	Yes	No	N/A
1.	Are the proposed Regulations or requirements easily understandable in everyday language?
The Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency) has made efforts so that the Regulations are clear and easy to understand. Extensive consultations with stakeholders were the primary means to ensure that the requirements were understandable. The draft Regulations were reviewed internally and by Department of Justice staff to improve readability and language.
2.	Is there a clear connection between the requirements and the purpose (or intent) of the proposed Regulations?
In developing the Regulations, the Agency carefully analyzed and considered the regulatory authority making provisions in the enabling act, the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA), as well as the desired policy outcomes of the Regulations to ensure they were aligned and required to meet Government objectives. Each provision was reviewed and analyzed to ensure that it was required, if it was risk-based and, if possible, performance-based in order to reduce burden and provide industry with flexibility when demonstrating compliance.
3.	Will there be an implementation plan that includes communications and compliance promotion activities that informs small business of a regulatory change and guides them on how to comply with it (e.g. information sessions, sample assessments, toolkits, Web sites)?
The Agency is committed to supporting stakeholders throughout the full implementation of the HPTA and in particular the Regulations and key policy documents. The Agency is developing a comprehensive implementation plan that will consist of tailored guidance documents, training, scenarios to explain what the Regulations mean, frequently asked questions, etc. This is in addition to a transition period prior to the Regulations' coming into force that provides stakeholders with time to familiarize themselves with the Regulations and make changes to their organization if needed. Throughout this period, the Agency will be available to stakeholders to answer inquiries and provide support.
4.	If new forms, reports or processes are introduced, are they consistent in appearance and format with other relevant government forms, reports or processes?
The Agency will ensure that material produced is consistent with Treasury Board Guidelines and other guidelines as appropriate, to ensure a common look and feel. The Agency is working closely with its Information Technology and Communications experts to ensure guidelines are followed.
II	Simplification and streamlining	Yes	No	N/A
1.	Will streamlined processes be put in place (e.g. through BizPaL, Canada Border Services Agency single window) to collect information from small businesses where possible?
As part of implementing the HPTA, the need for electronic tools for submission and retention of information submitted by laboratories or their entities was identified. The tool that is being developed will streamline the reporting and provision of information. This tool will be available to all stakeholders, regardless of size, as it was seen as a means to reduce burden and improve efficiencies. In addition, the Agency is working with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on the Single Window Initiative (SWI) to facilitate the importation of goods while also balancing the security needs of the Government. The intent of the SWI is to facilitate trade and align regulatory approaches to protect health, safety and the environment while supporting economic growth. The SWI will provide importers with a single window through which they can electronically submit information required to comply with import-related border transactions, resulting in more efficient border processes. Implementation of the SWI will provide the Agency with improved business processes and will eventually lead to completely paperless interactions with the CBSA and traders.
2.	Have opportunities to align with other obligations imposed on business by federal, provincial, municipal or international or multinational regulatory bodies been assessed?
At the outset of regulatory development, the Agency consulted with each province and territory, as well as 16 national associations, to ensure that the consultation approach was meaningful and to allow concerns to be voiced. In addition, the Agency analyzed elements that may, or could be perceived to, overlap with practices or authorities found in other jurisdictions. As the Agency developed regulations for three elements (licensing, biosecurity and exemptions), the extent to which there may be overlap with other obligations is significantly reduced. The Agency also proactively meets with regulatory partners/counterparts to align approaches and policy outcomes to the extent possible. This was done nationally with Government of Canada partners as well as with the United States. The Agency has met with various provincial and territorial bodies to learn more about program and processes that may be areas of overlap, specifically in the fields of occupational health and safety and laboratory diagnostic accreditation programs with a goal to reduce burden from any duplication with existing programs.
3.	Has the impact of the proposed Regulations on international or interprovincial trade been assessed?
Under the current regime, there are limited regulatory controls on domestically acquired human pathogens and toxins. The proposed Regulations will address this gap. Under the proposed licensing framework, licence holders will be able to import and transfer human pathogens and toxins that fall under conditions of their licence. This provision should streamline current processes. The licensing process should also assist industry in receiving shipments from the United States, as licence holders will be able to demonstrate that they comply with an equivalent safety program. The issue of equivalency was identified as a concern by a small business.
4.	If the data or information, other than personal information, required to comply with the proposed Regulations is already collected by another department or jurisdiction, will this information be obtained from that department or jurisdiction instead of requesting the same information from small businesses or other stakeholders? (The collection, retention, use, disclosure and disposal of personal information are all subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act. Any questions with respect to compliance with the Privacy Act should be referred to the department's or agency's ATIP office or legal services unit.)
To the extent possible, the Agency will leverage data or information provided to other jurisdictions to support the Agency's requirements. This may include some information contained in reports of incidents involving human pathogens and toxins.
5.	Will forms be pre-populated with information or data already available to the department to reduce the time and cost necessary to complete them? (Example: When a business completes an online application for a licence, upon entering an identifier or a name, the system pre-populates the application with the applicant's personal particulars, such as contact information and date, when that information is already available to the department.)
The Agency is developing the online tool to be “smart” such that fields will be pre-populated based on user identification (such as licence numbers) and triaged (meaning that industry may only be prompted to provide input based on responses to earlier entries).
6.	Will electronic reporting and data collection be used, including electronic validation and confirmation of receipt of reports where appropriate?
The Agency will use electronic means to support data reporting and collection. For example, the Agency will issue receipts of licence applications, reports or data. These will be validated electronically by date and time stamping the transactions and sending out notices by email through the kiosk/portal where appropriate.
7.	Will reporting, if required by the proposed Regulations, be aligned with generally used business processes or international standards if possible?
Reporting will be aligned with the current system for regulated parties and it will be linked to the licensing database so that some information fields can be pre-populated. Forms will contain intelligence to incorporate business rules to ensure information is captured as prescribed, or to reveal and hide information depending on previous choices. The system is expected to be adaptable should generally used processes or international standards change.
8.	If additional forms are required, can they be streamlined with existing forms that must be completed for other government information requirements?
The Agency will be replacing current forms, such as information required to obtain an importation permit, with new forms for licence application. The HPTA security clearance is a new requirement and unique to the Agency. Similar requirements could not be identified in other equally sensitive application forms. In early 2013, the Agency and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) demonstrated their commitment to streamlining business processes by consolidating the importation permit application to include human and animal pathogens. The Agency continues to investigate opportunities for similar collaboration.
III	Implementation, compliance and service standards	Yes	No	N/A
1.	Has consideration been given to small businesses in remote areas, with special consideration to those that do not have access to high-speed (broadband) Internet?
The Agency is not aware of any business that would require an HPTA licence that does not have access to high-speed Internet. If the Agency becomes aware of any such business, the Agency will work with them to identify alternate mechanisms for submitting licence applications, amendments and notifications.
2.	If regulatory authorizations (e.g. licences, permits or certifications) are introduced, will service standards addressing timeliness of decision making be developed that are inclusive of complaints about poor service?
The Agency has developed two service standards for regulatory authorizations as part of the Government's commitment under the Red Tape Reduction Action Plan. Each of these standards, and those that will be developed for regulatory authorizations under the Regulations, will include all required elements, such as service feedback, performance target and a description of the application process. Service standards will be regularly monitored to ensure optimum service delivery.
3.	Is there a clearly identified contact point or help desk for small businesses and other stakeholders?
The Agency has established program-specific contact points to address inquiries related to specific aspects of the regulatory programs, such as licensing, the Canadian Biosafety Standards and Guidelines as well as contact information for inquiries that are more general in nature or related to service delivery. These points of contact are available to all sectors.

B. Regulatory flexibility analysis and reverse onus

IV	Regulatory flexibility analysis	Yes	No	N/A
1.	Does the RIAS identify at least one flexible option that has lower compliance or administrative costs for small businesses in the small business lens section? Examples of flexible options to minimize costs are as follows: Longer time periods to comply with the requirements, longer transition periods or temporary exemptions; Performance-based standards; Partial or complete exemptions from compliance, especially for firms that have good track records (legal advice should be sought when considering such an option); Reduced compliance costs; Reduced fees or other charges or penalties; Use of market incentives; A range of options to comply with requirements, including lower-cost options; Simplified and less frequent reporting obligations and inspections; and Licences granted on a permanent basis or renewed less frequently.
The Regulations and program were developed in such a way as to minimize burden across all stakeholder groups regardless of size. This is aligned with the Agency's risk-based approach, where regulatory oversight increases as the risk of the human pathogen or toxin increases. In addition, the cost analysis has indicated that the costs of the proposal are proportionate to the number of laboratories in an organization, resulting in a lower-cost impact on smaller organizations. Other elements to minimize burden, such as online reporting tools, no licence application fee, and a transition period, are available to all sectors, regardless of size.
2.	Does the RIAS include, as part of the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Statement, quantified and monetized compliance and administrative costs for small businesses associated with the initial option assessed, as well as the flexible, lower-cost option? Use the Regulatory Cost Calculator to quantify and monetize administrative and compliance costs and include the completed calculator in your submission to TBS-RAS.
The extent to which small businesses will be impacted by the proposed Regulations is expected to be minimal. The Agency made several attempts to identify small businesses who work with human pathogens and toxins through outreach during the consultations process, two Agency-sponsored questionnaires, and internal analysis of industry sectors. Through these efforts, the Agency has concluded that there are few small businesses conducting controlled activities with human pathogens and toxins. As part of the Agency's commitment to minimizing regulatory burden and supporting a risk-based approach to its regulatory program, all sectors, including small businesses, should be spared unnecessary regulatory oversight. The Agency did analyze and cost the initial option as well as the flexible option. This is described in the RIAS.
3.	Does the RIAS include, as part of the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Statement, a consideration of the risks associated with the flexible option? (Minimizing administrative or compliance costs for small business cannot be at the expense of greater health, security or safety or create environmental risks for Canadians.)
Information discussing the risks associated with reduced regulatory burden is discussed in the RIAS as it relates to all stakeholders, regardless of size.
4.	Does the RIAS include a summary of feedback provided by small business during consultations?
As noted, while the Agency attempted to identify small businesses through its consultation process, there was limited response. All feedback received throughout the extensive consultations was considered by the Agency and assisted in regulatory development. Feedback from stakeholders is summarized in the RIAS.
V	Reverse onus	Yes	No	N/A
1.	If the recommended option is not the lower-cost option for small business in terms of administrative or compliance costs, is a reasonable justification provided in the RIAS?
The recommended option provided in the RIAS is the lower-cost option for all sectors.

PROPOSED REGULATORY TEXT

Notice is given that the Governor in Council, pursuant to section 66 of the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (see footnote a), proposes to make the annexed Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations.

Interested persons may make representations concerning the proposed Regulations within 75 days after the date of publication of this notice. All such representations must cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, and the date of publication of this notice, and be addressed to Kirsten Mattison, Director, Office of Regulatory Policy and Affairs, Public Health Agency of Canada, 100 Colonnade Road, Postal Locator: 6201C, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9 (tel.: 613-769-4786; fax: 613-941-0596; email: kirsten.mattison@phac-aspc.gc.ca).

Ottawa, June 12, 2014

JURICA ČAPKUN
Assistant Clerk of the Privy Council

HUMAN PATHOGENS AND TOXINS REGULATIONS

INTERPRETATION

Definitions

1. The following definitions apply in these Regulations.

“Act”
« Loi »

“Act” means the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act.

“common-law partner”
« conjoint de fait »

“common-law partner”, in relation to an individual, means a person who is cohabiting with the individual in a conjugal relationship, having so cohabited for a period of at least one year.

“scientific research”
« recherche scientifique »

“scientific research” means the following types of systematic investigation or research that are carried out in a field of science or technology by means of controlled activities:

• (a) basic research, when the controlled activities are conducted for the advancement of scientific knowledge without a specific practical application;
• (b) applied research, when the controlled activities are conducted for the advancement of scientific knowledge with a specific practical application; and
• (c) experimental development, when the controlled activities are conducted to achieve scientific or technological advancement for the purpose of creating new — or improving existing — materials, products, processes or devices.

LICENCES

Validity period — factors

2. (1) When determining the period of validity of a licence, the Minister must take the following factors into consideration:

• (a) the history of the applicant's compliance with the provisions of the Act and the regulations, the Department of Health Act, the Human Pathogens Importation Regulations, the Health of Animals Act and the Health of Animals Regulations during the previous 10 years;
• (b) the risks associated with the controlled activities authorized by the licence; and
• (c) any other factor that is relevant to the protection of the health or safety of the public.

Maximum period

(2) The maximum period of validity is the following:

• (a) five years, if the licence authorizes controlled activities in respect of
  • (i) a human pathogen that falls into Risk Group 2,
  • (ii) a prion that falls into Risk Group 3, or
  • (iii) a toxin that is not a prescribed toxin;
• (b) three years, if the licence authorizes controlled activities in respect of a human pathogen that falls into Risk Group 3 — other than a prion — or a toxin that is a prescribed toxin; or
• (c) one year, if the licence authorizes controlled activities in respect of a human pathogen that falls into Risk Group 4.

Renewal

(3) The Minister may renew a licence on application of the licence holder, for further periods set out in subsection (2).

Condition on issuance — risk management plan

3. If the applicant for a licence is a person who intends to carry out scientific research, the Minister must, before she or he issues the licence, determine that the person has developed a plan that sets out how they will administratively manage and control biosafety and biosecurity risks during the term of the licence.

Conditions of licence

4. (1) Every licence is subject to the following conditions:

• (a) the licence holder and any person who is authorized under the licence to conduct controlled activities must not obstruct the biological safety officer when the officer is exercising their powers or carrying out their functions;
• (b) a person who intends to import a human pathogen or toxin or to receive one by transfer from another licence holder or from a person who is conducting controlled activities under another licence must communicate that intention to the biological safety officer before they make any arrangements for the importation or transfer;
• (c) the intended recipient of a human pathogen or toxin must make reasonable efforts to locate it if it is not received within a reasonable time after it was expected to be received, and must inform the biological safety officer of the situation without delay;
• (d) a person who intends to export a human pathogen or toxin or to transfer one to another licence holder or to a person who is conducting controlled activities under another licence must communicate that intention to the biological safety officer before they make any arrangements for the export or transfer;
• (e) a person who intends to export a human pathogen or toxin must, before they export it, take reasonable care to satisfy themself that the intended recipient will conduct any activities in respect of the human pathogen or toxin in accordance with any applicable biosafety and biosecurity standards and policies in the foreign jurisdiction;
• (f) a person who intends to transfer a human pathogen or toxin must, before the transfer, take reasonable care to satisfy themself of the following:
  • (i) that the intended recipient is exempt from the requirement to hold a licence, or
  • (ii) that the intended recipient will conduct controlled activities in relation to that human pathogen or toxin in a facility that is set out in a licence that authorizes those controlled activities with respect to that human pathogen or toxin; and
• (g) a person who discovers during the conduct of a controlled activity that they are in possession of a human pathogen or toxin in respect of which that controlled activity is not authorized under the licence must take all of the following steps:
  • (i) inform the biological safety officer of the inadvertent possession without delay,
  • (ii) ensure that the human pathogen or toxin is handled and stored appropriately while it is in their possession, and
  • (iii) within 30 days, dispose of it or transfer it to a person whose licence authorizes controlled activities in respect of that human pathogen or toxin.

Additional condition — prescribed human pathogens and toxins

(2) Every licence that authorizes controlled activities in respect of a prescribed human pathogen or toxin is subject to the further condition that, if the intended recipient of a prescribed human pathogen or toxin does not receive it within 24 hours after the date and time when it was expected to be received, they must take all of the following steps:

• (a) make reasonable efforts to locate it;
• (b) inform the biological safety officer without delay that they have not received it; and
• (c) provide the biological safety officer with any other information that is relevant to preventing any undue risk to the health or safety of the public.

Increased virulence, pathogenicity or toxicity

5. A licence holder must notify the Minister whenever the licence holder or any person who is conducting controlled activities under the licence intends to increase either the virulence or pathogenicity of a human pathogen or the toxicity of a toxin.

Notice to Minister before making change

6. (1) A licence holder must — if their licence authorizes controlled activities in respect of a human pathogen that falls into Risk Group 3 or Risk Group 4 or a prescribed toxin — notify the Minister before they make any change to the physical structure of the facility, to any equipment or to the standard operating procedures that could affect biocontainment.

Notice to Minister after making change

(2) A licence holder must notify the Minister within a reasonable time after they make any change to their name.

Section 32 of Act

7. A licence holder must, in a notice given to the Minister under section 32 of the Act, include their reasons for the decision.

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY OFFICERS

Qualifications

8. A biological safety officer must have the following qualifications:

• (a) knowledge of microbiology appropriate to the risks associated with the controlled activities authorized under the licence, attained through a combination of education, training and experience;
• (b) knowledge of the provisions of the Act and the regulations and any applicable federal or provincial legislation; and
• (c) knowledge of the applicable biosafety and biosecurity policies, standards and practices appropriate to the risks associated with the controlled activities authorized under the licence.

Functions

9. (1) A biological safety officer has the following functions:

• (a) verify the accuracy and completeness of licence applications;
• (b) communicate with the Minister on behalf of the licence holder;
• (c) promote and monitor compliance with the provisions of the Act and the regulations, with the licence and with the applicable biosafety and biosecurity standards by, among other things,
  • (i) arranging for and documenting appropriate training related to biosafety and biosecurity policies, standards and practices for all persons who conduct controlled activities under the licence,
  • (ii) informing the Minister of all occurrences of inadvertent possession described in paragraph 4(1)(g),
  • (iii) informing the Minister of every situation described in subsection 4(2),
  • (iv) conducting periodic inspections and biosafety audits and reporting the findings to the licence holder, and
  • (v) informing the licence holder in writing of any non-compliance by a person conducting controlled activities under the licence that is not being corrected by that person after they have been made aware of it;
• (d) assist in the development and maintenance of the licence holder's biosafety manual and standard operating procedures related to biosafety and biosecurity; and
• (e) assist with internal investigations of incidents described in subsection 12(1) or (2) or section 13 or 14 of the Act or of any incident that results in a failure of or compromise to biocontainment.

Power to examine records

(2) A biological safety officer may require any person who conducts controlled activities under the licence to provide them with any records that are necessary to assist them in carrying out their functions.

Inform Minister without delay

(3) A biological safety officer must carry out their functions set out in subparagraphs (1)(c)(ii) and (iii) without delay after being informed of the inadvertent possession or the situation.

ACCESS TO FACILITIES

PRESCRIBED HUMAN PATHOGENS AND TOXINS

Section 33 of Act

10. (1) The following human pathogens and toxins are prescribed for the purposes of the Act and, more particularly, are specified for the purpose of section 33 of the Act:

• (a) human pathogens that fall into Risk Group 3 or Risk Group 4 and that are on the common control list entitled List of Biological Agents and Animal Pathogens for Export Control, published by the Australia Group, as amended from time to time, except for
  • (i) Duvenhage virus, Rabies virus and all other members of the Lyssavirus genus, and
  • (ii) Vesicular stomatitis virus; and
• (b) subject to subsection (2), toxins that are set out in Schedule 1 to the Act and that are on that List.

Toxins not prescribed in certain quantities

(2) A toxin that is set out in column 1 of the table to this section is not a prescribed toxin if it is present in a part of a facility in a quantity that is less than or equal to the quantity set out in column 2.

TABLE

Column 1 Toxin	Column 2 Quantity (mg)
Alpha toxin Toxine Alpha	5
Botulinum neurotoxin Toxine botulique	0.5
Cholera toxin Toxine du choléra	10
Clostridium botulinum C2 and C3 toxins Toxines C2 et C3 de Clostridium botulinum	5
Clostridium perfringens Epsilon toxin Toxine Epsilon de Clostridium perfringens	5
Hemolysin Hemolysine	10
Shiga-like toxin (verotoxin) Toxine Shiga-like (vérotoxine)	1
Shigatoxin Shigatoxine	1
Staphylococcal enterotoxins, Type B Entérotoxine de staphylocoques, type B	1
Staphylococcal enterotoxins, types other than Type B Entérotoxine de staphylocoques, types autres que le B	10
Staphylococcus aureus Toxic shock syndrome toxin Toxine du syndrome du choc toxique de Staphylococcus aureus	5

SECURITY CLEARANCES

Eligibility

11. (1) The Minister may issue a security clearance to an individual who is 18 years of age or older.

Exception

(2) An individual is not eligible for a security clearance in either of the following circumstances:

• (a) the Minister has refused to issue a security clearance to them within the past five years; or
• (b) their security clearance has been revoked within the past five years.

False or inaccurate information

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if any of the information that formed the basis of the refusal or revocation proves to be false or inaccurate.

Application

12. (1) An application for a security clearance must be signed and dated by the applicant and must contain all of the following information:

• (a) the applicant's full name, all other names used by them and the details of any name changes;
• (b) their gender, height, weight and eye and hair colour;
• (c) their date and place of birth and
  • (i) if they were born in Canada, a copy of their birth certificate, or
  • (ii) if they were born outside Canada, the entry point and date of entry or intended entry into Canada, and, in the case of a naturalized Canadian or permanent resident, the number of the applicable certificate that was issued under the Citizenship Act or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
• (d) their address and telephone number, at home and at work, and their email address;
• (e) the addresses where they have lived during the past five years;
• (f) the names and addresses of their employers during the past five years and of any postsecondary educational institutions that they attended during that period;
• (g) their fingerprints, taken by any of the following:
  • (i) a Canadian police force,
  • (ii) a private company that is accredited by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to submit fingerprints to it for the purpose of a criminal record check, or
  • (iii) a department or agency of the Government of Canada;
• (h) a copy of each of two pieces of valid government-issued identification, one of which must be photo identification;
• (i) if they are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, the following documents:
  • (i) a copy of their curriculum vitae that sets out their professional qualifications and work history,
  • (ii) a valid visa, if applicable, and
  • (iii) the results of a police record check from every jurisdiction where they have lived during the past five years; and
• (j) the dates, destination and purpose of any travel for periods longer than 90 days outside their country of residence, excluding business travel for the Government of Canada, during the five years before the date of their application;
• (k) if they have a spouse or common-law partner, all of the following information with respect to that spouse or common-law partner:
  • (i) their gender, full name, all other names used by them and the details of any name changes,
  • (ii) their date and place of birth,
  • (iii) if they were born in Canada, a copy of their birth certificate,
  • (iv) if they were born outside Canada, the information described in subparagraph (c)(ii), and
  • (v) their current address, if known;
• (l) in the case of a former spouse or common-law partner who died or with whom the relationship ended within the past five years, the information described in subparagraphs (k)(i), (ii) and (v) and, if applicable, date of death; and
• (m) subject to subsection (3), a statement that certifies that they require the security clearance and the part or parts of the facility for which it is required, signed and dated by both the applicant and either the licence holder or an applicant for a licence for that facility.

One statement per facility

(2) The application must include a statement described in paragraph (1)(m) in respect of each separate facility.

Exception — inspectors

(3) An inspector who is designated under section 40 of the Act need not include the statement described in paragraph (1)(m) in their application.

Record checks

13. (1) On receipt of a completed application, the Minister must conduct the following record checks for the purpose of making a determination of risk under section 14:

• (a) a criminal record check;
• (b) a check of the relevant files of law enforcement agencies, including intelligence gathered for law enforcement purposes;
• (c) a Canadian Security Intelligence Service indices check and, if necessary, a Canadian Security Intelligence Service security assessment;
• (d) a credit check; and
• (e) a check of the applicant's immigration and citizenship status.

Additional information

(2) The Minister may, in writing, request any further relevant information from the applicant for the purpose of making the determination of risk under section 14.

Issuance — risk assessment

14. The Minister must issue a security clearance if she or he determines that the applicant does not pose an undue risk to the health or safety of the public after considering the information obtained under sections 12 and 13 and taking the following factors into account:

• (a) the relevance of the information, including a consideration of the circumstances of the underlying events or convictions, their seriousness, number and frequency, the date of the last event or conviction and any sentence or other disposition;
• (b) whether it is known or there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the applicant
  • (i) is or has been involved in — or contributes or has contributed to — activities that are directed toward or in support of either the use of human pathogens or toxins to commit criminal offences or the use of violence against persons or property,
  • (ii) is or has been a member of a terrorist group as defined in subsection 83.01(1) of the Criminal Code or is or has been involved in — or contributes or has contributed to — the activities of such a group,
  • (iii) is or has been a member of a criminal organization as defined in subsection 467.1(1) of that Act or participates or has participated in — or contributes or has contributed to — activities of such an organization as described in subsection 467.11(1) of that Act,
  • (iv) is or has been a member of an organization that is known to be involved in or to contribute to — or in respect of which there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in or contribution to — activities that are directed toward or in support of either the use of human pathogens or toxins to commit criminal offences or the threat of or the use of acts of violence against persons or property, or
  • (v) is or has been associated with an individual who is known to be involved in or to contribute to — or in respect of whom there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in or contribution to — activities referred to in subparagraph (i), or who is a member of a group or organization referred to in any of subparagraphs (ii) to (iv);
• (c) whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the applicant is in a position in which there is a risk that they could be induced to commit an act or to assist or abet any person to commit an act that might constitute an undue risk to the health or safety of the public;
• (d) whether the applicant has previously had a security clearance suspended or revoked;
• (e) whether the applicant has provided false or misleading information in or in connection with their application;
• (f) whether any foreign jurisdiction has refused to issue a security clearance or its equivalent to the applicant — or has suspended or revoked one — and the reason for the refusal, suspension or revocation; and
• (g) any other relevant information to enable the Minister to assess the risk.

Postponement — outstanding criminal charges

15. If a criminal charge is outstanding against the applicant for a security clearance that would, if she or he were found guilty of it, be considered by the Minister under paragraph 14(a), the Minister may postpone processing their application until the charge is disposed of by the courts and must notify the applicant in writing of the postponement.

Validity period

16. The Minister must establish the validity period of a security clearance in accordance with the level of risk posed by the applicant as determined under section 14. The validity period must not exceed five years.

Notice of refusal

17. If the Minister refuses to issue a security clearance, she or he must notify in writing every licence holder or applicant for a licence who has signed a statement described in paragraph 12(1)(m) with respect to the application for that security clearance.

Additional facilities or parts of a facility

18. The holder of a security clearance who wishes to access a part or parts of a facility described in section 33 of the Act not included in their application for the security clearance must provide the Minister with a statement described in paragraph 12(1)(m) in respect of each new facility or part.

Notice in writing

19. The holder of a security clearance must notify the Minister in writing without delay if they are found guilty of a criminal offence after the issuance of their security clearance.

Suspension

20. The Minister may suspend a security clearance on receipt of any of the following information:

• (a) new information described in any of sections 12 to 14 that was not available for consideration when the security clearance was issued;
• (b) a notice from the holder of the security clearance under section 19; or
• (c) a notice from a licence holder under section 32 of the Act concerning the holder of the security clearance.

Revocation

21. (1) The Minister must revoke a security clearance if she or he determines that the holder of the security clearance poses an undue risk to the health or safety of the public after considering any of the information described in paragraphs 20(a) to (c).

Notice to licence holders

(2) On the revocation, the Minister must notify in writing every licence holder who has signed a statement described in paragraph 12(1)(m) in respect of that security clearance.

Reasons in writing

22. A written notice required under subsection 34(1) or 35(5) of the Act must contain the Minister's reasons for the decision.

ACCOMPANIMENT AND SUPERVISION

One person at a time

23. (1) For the purpose of section 33 of the Act, a person who holds a security clearance may at any one time accompany and supervise only one person who does not hold a security clearance.

Continuous supervision

(2) A person who accompanies and supervises another person must at all times be in the same room as them and must monitor their activities at all times.

No access in certain circumstances

24. For the purpose of section 33 of the Act, a person must not enter a part of a facility even under accompaniment and supervision in either of the following circumstances:

• (a) their security clearance is suspended; or
• (b) they have previously been refused a security clearance or their security clearance has previously been revoked, and a new security clearance has not been issued to them since the refusal or revocation.

Records

25. The licence holder must keep a record of the full name of every person who enters a facility under accompaniment and supervision, together with the date on which they entered and the full name of the person who accompanied and supervised them.

EXEMPTIONS

Exemption from Risk Group 2 — risk reduction

26. (1) A human pathogen that is listed in Schedule 2 to the Act is exempt from the application of the definition “Risk Group 2” in subsection 3(1) of the Act if it has been modified to the extent that it no longer meets the risk profile described in that definition.

Exemption from Risk Group 3 — risk reduction

(2) A human pathogen that is listed in Schedule 3 to the Act is exempt from the application of the definition “Risk Group 3” in subsection 3(1) of the Act if it has been modified to the extent that it no longer meets the risk profile described in that definition.

Exemption from Risk Group 4 — risk reduction

(3) A human pathogen that is listed in Schedule 4 to the Act is exempt from the application of the definition “Risk Group 4” in subsection 3(1) of the Act if it has been modified to the extent that it no longer meets the risk profile described in that definition.

Notice to Minister

(4) In the circumstances described in subsections (1) to (3), the licence holder must notify the Minister without delay after such a modification.

Exemption from licence requirement — laboratories

27. (1) A person who carries out laboratory analyses or diagnostic testing with a human pathogen that is neither a prion nor a prescribed human pathogen is exempt from the application of section 7 of the Act on condition that

• (a) they do not cultivate or otherwise produce a human pathogen; or
• (b) if there is any production, it is done using a sealed container that prevents the release of the human pathogen and that is decontaminated before its disposal or reuse.

Exemption from licence requirement — veterinary practices

(2) A veterinarian who is registered under the laws of a province — and any persons under their supervision — who carry out laboratory analyses or diagnostic testing with a human pathogen are exempt from the application of section 7 of the Act on condition that they conduct any controlled activities in the course of providing care to animals in a clinical practice in that province.

Exemption — section 33 of Act

28. A person is exempt from the application of section 33 of the Act with respect to a part of a facility on either of the following conditions:

• (a) there is no prescribed human pathogen or toxin present in that part of the facility; or
• (b) any prescribed human pathogen or toxin that is present is locked up and inaccessible to that person.

DOCUMENTS

Document retention

29. (1) Documents that are required under the Act to be prepared must be maintained for five years after the day on which they are prepared and must be provided to the Minister on request.

Exception — incidents

(2) Despite subsection (1), the retention period is 10 years for documents that contain information that relates to the following incidents:

• (a) an incident that is described in subsection 12(1) or (2) or section 13 or 14 of the Act; and
• (b) any incident that results in a failure of or compromise to biocontainment.

Receipt of documents

30. Any document that is sent by the Minister under the Act is considered to have been received on the earlier of the following days:

• (a) the day that is five days after it was sent, and
• (b) the day on which it is received.

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Continuation of controlled activities

31. (1) A person who, on the day on which these Regulations come into force, conducts controlled activities in respect of a human pathogen or toxin is exempt from the application of section 7 of the Act if they submit an application for a licence under subsection 18(2) of the Act within 90 days after that day.

Duration

(2) Subsection (1) applies until the determination of the licence application under subsection 18(1) or (3) of the Act.

Continuation of controlled activities — precribed human pathogens and toxins

32. (1) An individual who, on the day on which these Regulations come into force, conducts controlled activities in respect of a prescribed human pathogen or toxin is exempt from the application of section 33 of the Act if they submit an application for a security clearance under section 12 within 90 days after that day.

Duration

(2) Subsection (1) applies until the Minister refuses to issue or issues the security clearance under subsection 34(1) of the Act.

COMING INTO FORCE

December 1, 2015

33. These Regulations come into force on December 1, 2015.

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