Activities with pathogens - apply for a permit
Source: BUS Rheinland-PfalzYou require a permit in accordance with the Infection Protection Act if you are the person responsible for
- import pathogens into Germany,
- export them from Germany,
- store them,
- dispense them or
- want to work with them.
The following are considered pathogens
- viruses,
- bacteria,
- fungi,
- parasites and
- other agents that can cause an infection or transmissible disease in humans.
Activities involving pathogens include in particular
- Tests with pathogens capable of reproduction,
- microbiological and serological tests to identify reportable pathogens using procedures for the targeted enrichment or multiplication of pathogens;
Certain activities or persons who carry out microbiological tests for diagnostic purposes for the direct treatment of their own patients are exempt from the licensing requirement. These include
- Doctors,
- dentists and
- veterinarians;
- Persons who
- carry out microbiological quality assurance work and
- have the necessary expertise and
- the competent authority exempts them from the permit requirement upon request;
- Employees who
- work under the supervision of a person who has a permit or is exempt from the permit requirement;
- certain procedures, for example sterility tests;
If you belong to one of the above-mentioned groups, please contact the authority responsible for you before starting work. You must register your activity there.