Course overview
Officially recognized (§28 GenTSV) – Target group-specific – Practice-oriented
Biosafety Officers (BSO) are responsible for independently monitoring genetic engineering activities within an institution, identifying deficiencies, advising operators and project leaders, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. This means they carry a special responsibility in both operational and regulatory contexts — with a role profile that differs in key aspects from that of an appointed project manager.
While BSOs are generally subject to the same expertise requirements as appointed project managers — including the mandatory refresher obligation under the GenTSV — standard expertise courses often fall short of addressing the specific needs that arise under §31 GenTSV.
BSOs often face additional challenges that go beyond the pure role of project managers and the content conveyed in refresher courses. They act as a central interface between operators, laboratory staff, project leaders, and authorities. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with complex legal, organizational, and technical requirements and must act in a solution-oriented manner in conflict situations and when deficiencies arise.
The role of the BBS requires a combination of in-depth expertise, strong communication skills, practical experience, and continuous awareness of current legal changes, statements from the Central Commission for Biological Safety (ZKBS), and technical developments in the field of biological safety.
Our one-day online course fills this gap. It focuses on BBS-relevant aspects of the legal framework, risk assessment, documentation and inspection obligations, and communication with operators, project leaders, and authorities.
The course was developed in close collaboration with the Regional Authority (Regierungspräsidium) Tübingen and is officially recognized as a refresher course under §§28 and 30 GenTSV.