The SBB assesses the risks for human health and the environment of activities involving GMOs and/or pathogens.
The official tasks of the SBB are defined in the Cooperation Agreement on Biosafety of 25 April 1997.
The SBB offers a permanent, responsive and reliable source of scientific support to the Federal and Regional Competent Authorities.
The SBB is also in charge of the administrative and scientific secretariat of the Belgian Biosafety Advisory Council.
The SBB provides scientific support to the Belgian Competent Authorities in official fora dealing with biosafety matters at EU and international level, ensuring the continuity of technical and scientific expertise and the scientific consistency of Belgium's position within the different bodies.
It also contributes to the work of various professional organisations active in the field of biosafety.
In the frame of the scientific evaluation of regulatory dossiers and other biosafety-related matters, the SBB and the Biosafety Advisory Council can call for the scientific support of external experts. This cooperation with scientists is very important to deliver scientifically sound advices to the competent authorities.
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The SBB is actively involved in scientific research dealing with biosafety matters.
Through extensive literature reviews on emerging topics and participation in research projects at Belgian and European levels, the SBB contributes to improve the scientific knowledge in support of the assessment of the health and environmental impacts of GMOs and pathogens. Networking builds on the regular contacts the SBB has established with scientists in the frame of the evaluation of regulatory dossiers and the participation of the SBB in official experts groups at European or international levels.
The SBB strives to meet the needs of the general public and stakeholders via different forms of communication and information. Various initiatives also aim at reinforcing the link and partnership with scientists that are interested or involved in biosafety-related issues and whose domain of research and expertise might help to develop a better understanding or evaluation of the potential risks associated with the use of GMOs.