Display activities with pathogens

If you have a permit to work with pathogens and you want to take up this activity for the first time, you must notify the competent authority.

The term "pathogens" refers to agents capable of reproduction. These include, for example

• viruses
• bacteria
• fungi
• parasites
• or other biologically transmissible agents

These can cause an infection or a transmissible disease in humans.

If you, as the responsible person or permit holder, intend to take up activities with pathogens, whether without a permit or subject to a permit, you must notify the competent authority.

The obligation to notify applies to new activities that have not yet been registered. However, it also applies if this activity has already been reported previously by another responsible person or permit holder. The activity is only deemed to have started if the responsible person has never previously worked with the pathogen.

Employees who work under the supervision of a person who has the required permit for activities involving pathogens are not required to notify the authorities.

Activities with pathogens are deemed to be

• Experiments with pathogens capable of reproduction,
• microbiological tests and methods for the detection of pathogens subject to mandatory notification using process steps for the targeted enrichment or multiplication of pathogens.

Even if no permit is required, a person working with pathogens must still report this activity.

The responsible health authority

• Permission or exception or exemption
• There is no risk to public health. The main reasons for this are
  • suitable rooms or facilities are available for the type and scope of the activities and
  • the conditions for safe disposal are met.

DIN EN12740 - Guidelines for the treatment, inactivation and testing of waste

DIN 30739 - Containers for infectious waste with a nominal volume of 30 l to 60 l

DIN 58956-10 - Medical microbiology; medical microbiology laboratories; safety labeling

DIN 58956-3 - Medical microbiology; medical microbiology laboratories; requirements for the organization plan

DIN 58956-5 - Medical microbiology; medical microbiology laboratories; requirements for the hygiene plan

Administrative court action

You must notify the competent authority of the activity at least 30 days before you intend to take it up.

Fee free of charge

All activities involving pathogens, including activities that do not require a permit, must be notified.