Vietnam: Periodic maintenance of equipment in GMO laboratories

According to Article 8 of the Circular No. 20/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, conditions on equipment for accreditation of GMO laboratories (genetically modified organisms) are specified as follows:

- The work area shall have sufficient equipment to serve operations according to the level of biosafety. The equipment shall be regularly calibrated and maintained to make sure they are functional. There are instructions for use and information of permitted limit for safe use in Vietnamese.

+ Equipment of biosafety level 1 laboratory: The preparation sector shall have chemical cabinets, tool boxes, -86°C Ultra-Low Freezers, refrigerators, incubator chambers, drying ovens, culture cabinets, analytical balance, microscope, centrifuge system and other relevant equipment. The work sector shall have a DNA thermal cycler, hybridization machine, electrophoresis systems, shakers, pipetmans and other relevant equipment. The treatment sector shall have wet autoclaves, laboratory waste bins and other relevant equipment. Protective equipment shall include face masks, gloves, lab coats and eyeglasses (if necessary).

+ Equipment of the biosafety level 2 laboratory: The work sector shall have equipment prescribed in Point a Clause 1 Article 8 of this Circular. Beside, this sector shall be equipped with genetically modified machines and biosafety cabinets at level 2.

+ Equipment of the biosafety level 3 laboratory: The workroom shall have equipment prescribed in Point b Clause 1 Article 8 of this Circular. Besides, the workroom having minus pressure shall have biosafety cabinets at level 3 instead of biosafety cabinets at level 2.

+ Equipment of the biosafety level 4 laboratory: The workroom shall have equipment prescribed in Point c Clause 1 Article 8 of this Circular. Besides, this room shall be equipped with two-door wet autoclaves.

- The auxiliary area: The auxiliary area shall have: adequate caring equipment that is suitable for various GMOs; the equipment that is used for collecting, burning and destroying GMOs, waste and GMOs’ waste specimens; fire protection equipment and personal protective equipment.

View more details at the Circular No. 20/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, effective from January 04, 2013.

Le Vy

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