1. These tables present the normal minimum requirements and measures necessary for each level of containment.

Containment is also achieved through the use of good work practices, training, containment equipment and special installation design. For all activities involving GMMs the principles of good microbiological practice and the following principles of good occupational safety and hygiene, shall apply:

(i) to keep workplace and environmental exposure to any GMM to the lowest practicable level;

(ii) to exercise engineering control measures at source and to supplement these with appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment when necessary;

(iii) to test adequately and maintain control measures and equipment;

(iv) to test, when necessary, for the presence of viable process organisms outside the primary physical containment;

(v) to provide appropriate training of personnel;

(vi) to establish biological safety committees or subcommittees, if required;

(vii) to formulate and implement local codes of practice for the safety of personnel, as required;

(viii) where appropriate to display biohazard signs;

(ix) to provide washing and decontamination facilities for personnel;

(x) to keep adequate records;

(xi) to prohibit eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or the storing of food for human consumption in the work area;

(xii) to prohibit mouth pipetting;

(xiii) to provide written standard operating procedures where appropriate to ensure safety;

(xiv) to have effective disinfectants and specified disinfection procedures available in case of spillage of GMMs;

(xv) to provide safe storage for contaminated laboratory equipment and materials, when appropriate.

2. The titles of the tables are indicative:

Table I A presents minimum requirements for laboratory activities.

Table I B presents additions to and modifications of Table I A for glasshouse/growth-room activities involving GMMs.

Table I C presents additions to and modifications of Table I A for activities with animals involving GMMs.

Table II presents minimum requirements for activities other than laboratory activities.

In some particular cases, it might be necessary to apply a combination of measures, from Table I A and Table II, of the same level.

In some cases users may, with the agreement of the competent authority, not apply a specification under a particular containment level or combine specifications from two different levels.

In these tables "optional" means that the user may apply these measures on a case-by-case basis, subject to the assessment referred to in Article 5(2).

3. Member states may, in implementing this Annex, incorporate in addition the general principles in paragraphs 1 and 2 in the following tables for the sake of clarity of the requirements.