Every organization that conducts the research and development of modern biotechnology needs to establish an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and register with the National Biosafety Board. The establishment of the IBC complies with the Biosafety Act 2007 [Act 678] and Part II of the Biosafety (Approval and Notification) Regulations 2010.
The IBC will monitor any studies related to living modified organisms (Living Modified Organism or LMO) or recombinant DNA (rDNA) techniques conducted or sponsored by organizations, regardless of financial resources.
The main functions of the IBC are:
1. Provide guidance for the safe use of modern biotechnology
2. Monitor activities related to modern biotechnology
3. Establish and monitor the implementation of policies and procedures for the safe handling of LMOs and compliance with any Malaysian regulations and laws relating to import and export, human, plant and animal health, environment and biodiversity.
4. Determine the Biosafety Level class for a premise
carry out modern biotechnology controlled use activities
Please refer Biosafety Institutional Committee (IBC) Guidelines published by the Department of Biosafety for more details on IBC.