[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 177 (Thursday, September 12, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56234-56235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21985]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Multi-Agency Informational Meeting Concerning Compliance with the 
Select Agent Regulations; Public Webcast

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of public webcast.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within 
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces a public 
webcast for all interested parties, including individuals and entities 
possessing, using, or transferring biological agents and toxins. The 
purpose of the webcast is to provide guidance related to the select 
agent regulations established under the Public Health Security and 
Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. The webcast is 
being organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), HHS/CDC, and the 
Department of Justice's Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Criminal 
Justice Information Services. Changes to Section 11(Security) of the 
select agent regulations including information security, physical 
security, and personnel suitability will be discussed. Topics will 
focus on additional requirements for entities possessing select agents 
and toxins designated as Tier 1 agents.

DATES: The webcast will be held on Friday, November 15, 2013 from 10 
a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. All who wish to join the webcast must register by 
October 18, 2013. Registration instructions can be found on the Web 
site http://www.selectagents.gov.

ADDRESSES: The webcast will be broadcast from the APHIS facility, 4700 
River Road, Unit 2, Riverdale, MD 20737.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    APHIS: Dr. Keith Wiggins, APHIS Select Agent Program, 4700 River 
Road, Unit 2, Riverdale, MD 20737; 301-851-3300 option 1 (voice only); 
[email protected].
    CDC: Diane Martin, Division of Select Agents and Toxins, Office of 
Public Health Preparedness and Response, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., 
MS A-46, Atlanta, GA 30333; (404) 718-2000; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title II of the Public Health Security and 
Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, ``Enhancing 
Controls on Dangerous Biological Agents and Toxins'' (sections 201 
through 221), provides for the regulation of certain biological agents 
and toxins by HHS (subtitle A, sections 201-204) and USDA (subtitle B, 
sections 211-213), and provides for interagency coordination between 
the two departments regarding overlap agents and toxins (subtitle C, 
section 221). HHS/CDC regulates the possession, use or transfer 
biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe 
threat to public health and safety. The HHS/CDC select agent 
regulations can be found at 42 CFR part 73.
    USDA/APHIS has a parallel program that regulates the possession, 
use or transfer biological agents that have the potential to pose a 
severe threat to animal or plant health, or to animal or plant 
products. The USDA/APHIS select agent regulations can be found at 7 CFR 
part 331 and 9 CFR part 121.
    The Criminal Justice Information Service (CJIS) in the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducts security risk assessments of all 
individuals and nongovernmental entities that require access to select 
agents and toxins.
    The webcast announced here is an opportunity for the regulated 
community (i.e., registered entity responsible officials, alternate 
responsible officials, and entity owners) and other interested 
individuals to obtain specific regulatory guidance and information on 
standards concerning security issues related to the select agent 
regulations. Representatives from HHS/CDC, USDA/APHIS, and the FBI will 
be present during the webcast to address questions from and concerns of 
the web participants.
    Changes to Section 11 (Security) of the select agent regulations 
including

[[Page 56235]]

information security, physical security, and personnel suitability will 
be discussed. Presenters will focus on the additional requirements for 
entities possessing select agents and toxins designated as Tier 1 
agents or toxins. A question and answer session will follow each 
presentation.
    Registration instructions can be found on the Web site http://www.selectagents.gov. Registration must be completed by October 18, 
2013. Registration is required for participation to the webcast. This 
is a 100% webcast; therefore, in person participation cannot be 
accommodated.
    Participants will be able to submit questions during the webcast at 
[email protected]. Closed-captioning services will be provided 
during the webcast.

    Dated: September 4, 2013.
Tanja Popovic,
Deputy Associate Director for Science, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2013-21985 Filed 9-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P