Changes to the Canadian Biosafety App version 3.0

The Public Health Agency of Canada is pleased to announce that the online version of the Canadian Biosafety App 3.0 is now being hosted on the Public Health Agency of Canada Training Portal. The previous online version of the Canadian Biosafety App version 3.0 found on Canada.ca was removed in October 2025. The app allows users to view a customized list of Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition requirements that apply to their facility based on specific activities and regulated materials. This update now includes the Biosecurity Addendum requirements, which come into effect on January 5, 2026, for Containment Level 4 facilities. Although the hosting platform has changed, all core app functionalities have been retained.

However, with this new hosting platform, users can save their location data to their computer as a computer code file. This file can then be loaded into the online version on a different computer or browser, making it more portable and flexible. It is important to note that this load function will overwrite any existing data in your browser.

When using the online version, the requirement checklists that you create for your facility are:

• stored in the web browser history (that is, local cache) of the device that you use to create the lists
• accessible only from that device and browser unless location data is saved as a computer code file allowing you to access your location data from a different device or browser

Clearing your browser history will delete the stored requirement checklists and any related information.

Mobile App

The mobile version of the Canadian Biosafety App version 3.0, available for both Apple and Android devices, has the same functionality as the online version but can be used offline, provides a full-text view of the Canadian Biosafety Standard, Third Edition, and will include the Biosecurity Addendum requirements. A recent update allowing users to import location data from a Comma Separated Value file exported from the online version or from the mobile version on another device has been implemented. Additionally, the mobile version will be undergoing an update to a new database at the end of November 2025. It is important to note that this automatic update will not transfer location data. Therefore, it is recommended to review and export any location data for retention purposes and manually transfer location data to the new database in advance of this update.

When using the mobile version, the requirement checklists that you create for your facility are:

• stored in the mobile app (that is, the mobile device's local storage)
• accessible only from the device that you use to create the lists unless location data exported as a Comma Separated Value file is imported into the mobile version on a different device

Deleting the app from your device will delete the stored requirement checklists and any related information.

Please contact pathogens.pathogenes@phac-aspc.gc.ca should you have any questions.