Representatives of the American Society for Microbiology, the Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity International, and COGR are requesting a meeting with NIH...
Biosafety & Related Research Issues
Issues and requirements associated with research involving certain biological agents and toxins (e.g., elect agents, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecules, dual-use research of concern (DURC)) that pose significant safety and/or public health risks and require additional agency or institutional review and oversight.
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COGR Submits Letter to EPA on NPRM Regarding Methylene Chloride; Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act; Compliance Date Extensions
COGR, representing over 230 U.S. research institutions, submitted comments to the EPA regarding compliance date extensions for regulations on methylene chloride...
COGR’s September 2025 Update
The September 2025 COGR Update provides an overview of recent federal developments affecting U.S. research institutions, including proposed regulatory changes,…
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Kristin West
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All Biosafety & Related Research Issues Articles
COGR Submits Letter to EPA on NPRM Regarding Methylene Chloride; Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act; Compliance Date Extensions
COGR, representing over 230 U.S. research institutions, submitted comments to the EPA regarding compliance date extensions for regulations on methylene chloride under TSCA. While supporting the 18-month extension, COGR questions the legal foundation for the underlying regulations, noting that the executive orders justifying them have since been revoked, and highlights that existing OSHA standards
NIH’s Implementation of the U.S. Government Policy on Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential
The document outlines the implications and implementation procedures stemming from the newly issued NIH policy (NOT-OD-25-061) on oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP). Effective May 6, 2025, this policy consolidates and supersedes previous federal regulations, broadening the range of biological agents and experimental categories req
COGR, ABSA, and ASM request clarification on DURC/PEPP Policy March 25, 2025
Representatives of the American Society for Microbiology, the Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity International, and COGR are requesting a meeting with NIH leadership to discuss the implementation of the U.S. Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential. They express concerns over the lack of detailed guidance on compliance re
COGR Joins Community Letter to NIH Requesting a Meeting to Discuss the Future Implementation of U.S. Government Policy for Oversight of DURC and PEPP
The letter, dated March 24, 2025, is a formal communication addressed to Dr. Matthew Memoli, Acting Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), from the leadership of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity International (ABSA), and the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR). The organizations collectively express concerns regarding the
Category 1 and Category 2 Research: The DURC/PEPP Storm Coming to Your Institutional Biosafety Committee: February 2025 Meeting
The document outlines the forthcoming implementation and implications of the United States Government’s new policy for the Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP), set to replace previous guidance in May 2025. The policy establishes comprehensive, unified oversight for research that could be reasonably anticipated to generate pathogens
Institutional Discussion on OSTP’s Recent Report on DURC – Implications & Implementation : June 2024 Meeting
The document provides an overview and institutional discussion on the recent U.S. government policy overhaul regarding Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP), as detailed in the May 2024 Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) report. This new federal policy aims to unify and broaden oversight of federally funded biological research that co
COGR Responds to APHIS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002; Biennial Review and Republication of the Select Agent and Toxin List
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 200 U.S. research universities and affiliated institutions, submitted comments in response to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the biennial review and republication of the Select Agent and Toxin List under the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002.
COGR Responds to RFI on Potential Changes to the Policies for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and the Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight (P3CO) Policy Framework
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 200 U.S. research universities and related institutions, submitted detailed comments to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) regarding proposed changes to the oversight policies for Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight (P3CO). While COGR emphasizes its strong commitment t
COGR Responds to Proposed Amendments to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) (88 FR 54332)
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 200 U.S. research universities and affiliated institutions, submitted comments to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding proposed amendments to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules. COGR supports the NIH's efforts to enhance safety and align its guidelines with the C
