University of Auckland Biological Safety Committee (UABSC)
The University of Auckland Biological Safety Committee (UABSC) assesses hazardous substances and new organisms (HSNO) applications and provides advice and policy on biological safety at the University.
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act) requires all development, importation and field trials of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to have prior approval from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
The University of Auckland Biological Safety Committee UABSC was established by the University Council to oversee the research activities that fall under the HSNO Act 1996. The UABSC provides guidance to researchers and a mechanism for obtaining the required approvals to develop and import GMOs, and oversees the use of higher-risk micro-organisms.
Role of the UABSC
The UABSC has three main roles:
- To maintain oversight of the development of all low-risk GMOs
- The University holds a low-risk HSNO approval (APP202078) to develop a wide range of low-risk GMOs in containment, and the UABSC oversees the management of this approval. Researchers can apply to the UABSC to become an approved user of the University-wide low-risk HSNO approval for their individual projects.
- To maintain oversight of applications to the EPA for the development of GMOs
- To maintain oversight of any work involving higher-risk micro-organisms
Submission deadlines and meeting dates
The University of Auckland Biological Safety Committee meets on the first Monday of every month to review biological safety applications.*
| Submission deadline | Meeting date |
|---|---|
| Monday 19 January | Monday 2 February |
| Monday 16 February | Monday 2 March |
| Monday 23 March | Monday 13 April |
| Monday 20 April | Monday 4 May |
| Monday 18 May | Monday 8 June |
| Monday 22 June | Monday 6 July |
| Monday 20 July | Monday 3 August |
| Monday 17 August | Monday 7 September |
| Monday 21 September | Monday 5 October |
| Monday 19 October | Monday 2 November |
| Monday 23 November | Monday 7 December |
*Meeting dates are adjusted for these public holidays:
26 January 2026 - Auckland Anniversary
6 February 2026 - Waitangi Day
3 April 2026 - Good Friday
6 April 2026 - Easter Monday
27 April 2026 - Anzac Day (observed)
1 June 2026 - King’s Birthday
10 July 2026 - Matariki
26 October 2026 - Labour Day
More information
- Learn more about the terms of reference and composition of the committee: University of Auckland Biological Safety Committee.
- Quick reference guides for biological safety-related submissions in Ethics RM can be found on SharePoint: Infonetica Ethics RM guides.
- Latest data on application processing time: For time to first review and final approval of applications, see the UABSC Processing timeframes for 2025 Q4.
- Classification by risk group.
Contact
Hazards and Containment Manager and Biosafety Officer
Email: Dr Francesca Casu
Animal Ethics Committee Manager, Research Ethics team (RIO)
Email: Dr Dharshini Sreenivasan