Updated guideline for Containment Level 1: Physical Design and Operational Practices

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have revised the Containment Level 1 guideline to align with the Canadian Biosafety Standard , third edition, which came into effect on April 1, 2023. The updated Containment Level 1 guideline was published on April 18, 2024.

The Containment Level 1 guideline outlines risk-based recommendations and best practices for facilities where risk group 1 biological material is handled. Since containment level 1 facilities often fall outside the regulatory scope of the Canadian Biosafety Standard , third edition, this update helps stakeholders follow current biosafety and biosecurity practices. Risk group 1 biological material can sometimes cause infection, such as in people with a compromised immune system.

The Containment Level 1 guideline now also includes:

• tailored recommendations and best practices for containment level 1 zones to reflect Canadian Biosafety Standard , third edition updates
• Canadian Biosafety Standard , third edition explanatory notes adapted for risk group 1 biological material, to make the containment level 1 guideline a standalone document for most containment level 1 facilities
• updated information and references
• updated preface, glossary terms and formatting to align with the Canadian Biosafety Standard , third edition

For questions about the updated Containment Level 1 guideline, please email pathogens.pathogenes@phac-aspc.gc.ca .