How often does a Biosafety Cabinet need to be certified

A biosafety cabinet (BSC) uses HEPA or ULPA filtered airflow to create personnel protection while minimizing cross-contamination through laminar airflow. To ensure your BSC is performing at safe airflow levels, your cabinet needs to be certified to ensure airflows (Inflow and Downflow) are meeting the manufacturer's performance specifications.

A general rule of thumb is to have your BSC certified:

• Annually
• After a Filter change
• When the cabinet is relocated
• When the type of work in the cabinet changes

The following performance standard and industry standard recommends the following:  

Performance Standard NSF/ANSI 49

• A Class II Biosafety Cabinet, at a minimum should be certified at least once a year.

Pharmaceutical Compounding standard USP 797 / USP 800

• A Class II Biosafety Cabinet, at a minimum should be certified at least twice a year.

Please consult your Biosafety Safety officer to define your Institutions' Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) on how often and when to certify your BSC.