Biosafety South Africa

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Provide guidance and assistance to stakeholders in the GMO product value chain

BSA provides guidance and assistance to stakeholders in the GMO product value chain to ensure compliance with the regulatory and biosafety requirements across all the stages of GMO research and development such as, contained use, field trials and commercial release. The platform aims to increase awareness and confidence in the national biotechnology innovation system, including the relevant governance systems.

Key Focus areas​

BSA’s core business is to provide value-added services, support, and investments, aimed at enabling sustainable bio-innovation. These can be grouped into four distinct offerings:

  • Biosafety/sustainability and risk analysis consultation, guidance, support, and capacity development offered to all stakeholders, to improve bio-innovation efficiency and compliance across all stages of bio-innovation research, development, and commercialisation, including contained use, confined field trials and commercial release.
  • Identification, commissioning, and funding of strategic biosafety/sustainability research and development projects to help ensure the sustainability of biotechnology research, development, and innovation in South Africa. This includes compliance consultation and development of regulatory dossiers to help ensure sustainability, compliance, and innovation success.
  • Enabling sustainable bio-innovation through thought leadership, facilitation, advocacy, and policy support, including critical analysis, the establishment of enabling platforms, facilitating communication and collaboration, and advocating for locally relevant, fit-for-purpose policies and regulatory frameworks.
  • Communication and engagement regarding all aspects of the biosafety, risk analysis, sustainable development and use of biotech products/GMOs in South Africa and addressing the knowledge requirements of all stakeholders, including researchers, technology developers, regulators, and the end-consumer.

Key Project

Bioeconomy SA Portal

BSA established and maintains the Bioeconomy SA Portal. The web based portal is a repository of information from different sources and integrated into a secure user-friendly interface. The portal aims to improve access and facilitate the exchange of information among bio-innovation stakeholders to stimulate communication, improve cohesion and promote functional integration and collaboration. The portal leverages the available pool of expertise and resources, offering valuable information, services, and resources to stakeholders, facilitating strategic decision making and developing visibility and credibility for the South African bioeconomy.

Website: https://biosafety.org.za/