CSHEMA - Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association

CSHEMA Comments on NIH Efforts to Modernize and Strengthen Biosafety Oversight

February 27, 2026—The Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) has submitted formal comments to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding its efforts to develop a new biosafety policy to replace the existing NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules. In advance of submitting these comments, CSHEMA held a special listening session in partnership with NIH to gather input from biosafety professionals, EHS practitioners, and institutional leaders across a wide range of colleges and universities.

Reflecting that discussion, CSHEMA’s letter calls for a modernized, risk-based biosafety policy that harmonizes with existing federal requirements, clearly defines and strengthens the roles and authority of Biological Safety Officers and Institutional Biosafety Committees, and provides flexible implementation pathways and practical tools that are workable for both large research-intensive universities and smaller institutions with limited biosafety resources.

About CSHEMA
CSHEMA is the national leader in safety and environmental management in higher education. Representing over 400 member institutions, it provides leadership and resources to improve environmental health and safety in colleges and universities.