1. General

Transfer, in relation to a biological agent, is the movement of biological agent from one facility to another.

2. Controls

A notification to the Ministry of Health is required for the transfer of First Schedule Part II, Second Schedule biological agents and Fifth Schedule toxins.

• Table of Controls for the 5 Schedules
•  List of Biological Agents and Toxins

3. Requirements

The following are the requirements for the transfer of First Schedule Part II, Second Schedule biological agents and Fifth Schedule toxins

It is the responsibility of the transferor¹ to ensure that -

1. The transferee² has been granted an approval from the Ministry of Health, to possess the agent or toxin being transferred
2. The carrier of the biological agent or toxin being transferred must:
   1. have knowledge on the hazards and characteristics of the agent or toxin being transferred; or
   2. ensure that the information on the 24 hour emergency contact number of the person having knowledge on the hazards and characteristics of the agent or toxin being transferred
   3. ensure the driver must have a Hazardous Material Transport (Hazmat) Drivers Permit issued by the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF)
   4. comply with the transportation regulations stipulated in the  Biological Agents and Toxins Act (Transportation) Regulations  
      

1 Transferor - in relation to any biological agent or toxin, is defined as a person who provides the biological agent or toxin to another person
2 Transferee - in relation to any biological agent or toxin, is defined as the person to whom the biological agent or toxin is provided

4. Procedure

Notification of Transfer by the Transferor

1. If the transferor is a non-registered facility
   1. The transferor must send an e-mail notification to the transferee and the Ministry of Health (MOH) with the following information
      1. Name of the agent
      2. Name of the facility of the transferee and the transferor
      3. Expected date and time of transfer
      4. Carrier of the biological agent or toxin
   2. The transferor must remind the transferee to notify MOH once they receive the biological agent or toxin being transferred
2. If the transferor is a registered facility
   1. The transferor must login to the BiosIS e-services and to the "Notification of Transfer" online. The following information is needed;
      1. Name of the agent
      2. Name of the facility of the transferee and the transferor
      3. Expected date and time of transfer
      4. Carrier of the biological agent or toxin
   2. The transferor must remind the transferee to notify MOH once they receive or failed to receive the biological agent or toxin being transferred

Notification of Transfer by the Transferee

1. The transferee shall inform the Ministry of Health (MOH), the status of the transfer of biological agent or toxin.
   1. The transferee must login to the BiosIS E-services and proceed to the "Receipt of Biological Agent" function to acknowledge the transfer.
   2. If the transferee fails to receive the consignment within 24 hours of such time as may be reasonably estimated by him for the receipt, then he must notify MOH of the failure of receipt of biological agent/toxin via telephone or e-mail.
      The transferee must also login to the BiosIS to do the notification online.

5. Notify Transfer of Biological Agent or Toxin

Facilities may do the notification online via the BiosIS e-services.

Click here to submit a notification of transfer of biological agent or toxin.

6. FAQ

The FAQ's on the homepage of the biosafety website provide answers to commonly asked questions on biosafety.

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