National Select Agents Registry (NSAR) Program

Initiated in 1996 with the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, and bolstered by the USA Patriot Act of 2001, and the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, the program oversees the transfer, possession, and use of biological agents (viruses, bacteria) and toxins that have the potential to be a severe threat to public or environmental health. Possession of the specified agents or toxins without registration carries severe civil and criminal penalties. Possession of Select Agents or Toxins over exempt amounts is not allowed at Stanford at this time and would require prior approval from the Vice Provost and Dean of Research and registration with the NSAR Program. The application and further information may be found on the NSAR website: www.selectagents.gov.

Click here for the list of Select Agents and Toxins.

For use of any biological (bacterial or viral) Select Agent, contact the Biosafety Program (esegal@stanford.edu).

For questions on the Select Toxins Program below, please contact selecttoxins@lists.stanford.edu

Stanford University Select Toxins Program

Possession of small quantities of Select Toxins may be exempt from registration with the NSAR program. The Stanford Select Toxins Program summarizes the University's requirements for possession of NSAR Select Toxins under the exempt quantities. Please read the entire program document linked below.

Stanford University Select Toxins Program

It is important for laboratories using these toxins to stay below the limits at all times to avoid possible fines and criminal prosecution.

Additionally, the following toxins are exempt:

1. Any toxin that is in its naturally occurring environment provided it has not been intentionally, introduced, cultivated, collected, or otherwise extracted from its natural source.
2. Nonfunctional toxins (requires separate application with NSAR Program for exemption).

Labs must keep their ChemTracker inventory up to date to ensure compliance with these limits.

Click here for a short presentation on how to properly inventory Select Toxins in ChemTracker Version 3.

Chemical Inventory home page

A written Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) must be developed for Select Toxin involved processes. For more information on SOP development and a helpful template, please go to the Laboratory Chemical Safety Toolkit:

chemtoolkit.stanford.edu

Quarterly self inspections are required for laboratories using the toxins.

Quarterly NSAR Select Toxin Checklist Webform

Download the Quarterly NSAR Select Toxin Checklist

To inactivate the toxin for disposal, use the chart linked below.

Toxin Inactivation Chart

After inactivation, create a hazardous waste tag and submit a pickup request through the Chemical Waste Tag application:

wastetag.stanford.edu

For more information:

The NSAR program website:

www.selectagents.gov

The CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (5th Ed.) is an excellent resource for safe work practices.

CDC publications page

Two sections that relate specifically to Select Toxins are:

Section VIII-G: Toxin Agents Summary Statements

Appendix I: Guidelines for Work with Toxins of Biological Origin

Contact the Stanford University Select Toxins Program:

selecttoxins@lists.stanford.edu

Contact your Safety & Compliance Assistance Program (SCA) representative:

Safety & Compliance Assistance Program

Call EH&S:

(650) 723-0448

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