Responsible Transfer of Research Materials: Compliance Resources
The resources below are designed to help Boston University researchers easily navigate the requirements for importing and exporting research materials. Because these activities are governed by a range of local, state, federal, and international regulations, failure to follow applicable policies can pose significant safety, legal, institutional, and ethical risks. This page is intended to provide a clear, centralized table of offices, contacts, and guidance to support compliance and ensure the safe, responsible transfer of research materials.
Important Considerations
| Determination of Regulatory Requirements (Select Agents, IBC, Export Controls, Human/Animal) | |
|---|---|
| Institutional Approvals |
|
| Packaging & Transportation for Incoming and Outgoing Materials |
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| Recordkeeping |
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| Reminders |
|
Resources
Regulatory & Federal
Guidance on importing biological materials into the U.S.
Permit requirements for regulated microbes
BU Office Resources
Export control regulations, compliance support, and licensing
Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) information and related forms
Transportation of Biological Materials
National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL)
Human subjects research oversight (Medical Campus)
Human subjects research oversight (Charles River Campus)
Transportation of Animals Policy
Biosafety review and approvals for biological research
Shipping & Transport
Global standards for transporting dangerous goods and biological materials
BU EHS Transportation of Biological Materials
Key Contacts
| Environmental Health & Safety | oehs@bu.edu |
| Export Control (including imports) | export@bu.edu |
| Incoming Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) | industry@bu.edu |
| Outgoing Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and provisional patents related to research samples | otd@bu.edu |
If you have any suggestions as to the content of this page, please contact rescompl@bu.edu.