[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR121.0]

[Page 753-754]
 
                  TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
 
  CHAPTER I--ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 121_POSSESSION, USE, AND TRANSFER OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS
--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 121.0  Effective and applicability dates.




Sec.
121.0 Effective and applicability dates.
121.1 Definitions.
121.2 Purpose and scope.
121.3 List of biological agents and toxins.
121.4 Exemptions for overlap agents or toxins.
121.5 Exemptions for animal agents and toxins.
121.6 Registration; who must register.
121.7 Registration; general provisions.
121.8 Denial, revocation, or suspension of registration.
121.9 Registration; how to register.
121.10 Responsibilities of the responsible official.
121.11 Restricting access to biological agents and toxins.
121.12 Biosafety and security plan.
121.13 Training.
121.14 Transfer of biological agents and toxins.
121.15 Records.
121.16 Inspections.
121.17 Notification in the event of theft, loss, or release of a 
          biological agent or toxin.
121.18 Administrative review.

    Authority: Secs. 211-213, Title II, Pub. L. 107-188, 116 Stat. 647 
(7 U.S.C. 8401).

    Source: 67 FR 76931, Dec. 13, 2002, unless otherwise noted.


    (a) The regulations in this part are effective on February 11, 2003. 
On and after that date, any person possessing, using, or transferring 
any agent or toxin listed in Sec. 121.3 must be in compliance with the 
provisions of this part. However, so as not to disrupt research or 
educational projects involving listed agents or toxins that were 
underway as of the effective date of this part, any person possessing 
such agents or toxins as of the effective date (current possessors) will 
be afforded additional time to reach full compliance with this part. Any 
provision not specifically cited in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(6) of 
this section will be applicable as of February 11, 2003. In addition, 
any person who does not possess listed agents or toxins by the effective 
date of this part, but who wishes to initiate a research or educational 
project prior to November 12, 2003, must be in compliance with the 
provisions of this part that are applicable for current possessors at 
the time of application, as provided in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) 
of this section.
    (1) During the period from February 11, 2003, to November 12, 2003, 
biological agents or toxins listed in Sec. 121.3 may only be 
transferred to an individual or entity that is not registered under this 
part if:
    (i) The individual or entity is registered by CDC for that specific 
overlap agent or toxin in accordance with 42 CFR part 72; or
    (ii) The individual or entity has been issued a permit by the 
Administrator under part 122 of this subchapter to import or move 
interstate that specific agent or toxin. If an individual or entity has 
not been issued a permit under part 122 of this subchapter, the 
individual or entity may apply for a permit. To receive an agent or 
toxin, an individual or entity will also be required to submit APHIS 
Form 2041, in accordance with Sec. 121.14(c). Because USDA permits do 
not cover intrastate movement, unless registered by CDC under 42 CFR 
part 72, an individual or entity may not receive a listed agent or toxin 
that is being moved intrastate until that individual or entity is 
registered in accordance with this part.
    (2) By March 12, 2003, the responsible official must submit the 
registration application package as required in Sec. 121.9. In 
addition, the responsible official must submit to the Attorney General 
the names and identifying information for the responsible official; 
alternate responsible official, where applicable; entity; and, where 
applicable, the individual who owns or controls the entity.
    (3) By April 11, 2003, the responsible official must submit to the 
Attorney General the names and identifying information for all 
individuals whom the

[[Page 754]]

responsible official has identified as having a legitimate need to 
handle or use listed agents or toxins, and who have the appropriate 
training and skills to handle such agents or toxins, as required in 
Sec. 121.11.
    (4) By June 12, 2003, the responsible official must submit the 
security section of the Biosafety and Security Plan required in Sec. 
121.12 to APHIS or, for overlap agents or toxins, to APHIS or CDC.
    (5) By September 12, 2003, the responsible official must implement 
the security section of the Biosafety and Security Plan, as required in 
Sec. 121.12, and provide security training in accordance with 9 CFR 
121.13.
    (6) By November 12, 2003, the registration application process must 
be complete and the entity in full compliance with the regulations in 
this part, except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of 
this section.
    (b) Provisional registration. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions in 
paragraph (a) of this section, APHIS may issue a provisional 
registration certificate to current possessors if, as of November 12, 
2003:
    (i) The Attorney General has received all of the information, 
including fingerprint cards, required by the Attorney General to conduct 
a security risk assessment of the entity, including any individual who 
owns or controls the entity; and
    (ii) The entity otherwise meets all of the requirements of this 
part.
    (2) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (a) of this section, 
APHIS may issue a provisional registration certificate to individuals 
and entities that did not possess listed biological agents or toxins as 
of February 11, 2003, if, as of November 12, 2003:
    (i) The Attorney General has received all of the information, 
including fingerprint cards, required by the Attorney General to conduct 
a security risk assessment of the entity, including any individual who 
owns or controls the entity;
    (ii) The entity otherwise meets all of the requirements of this 
part; and
    (iii) The Administrator finds that circumstances warrant such action 
in the interest of the health of plants or plant products or national 
security.
    (3) A provisional registration certificate will be effective until 
APHIS either issues a certificate of registration or suspends or revokes 
the provisional registration.
    (c) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (a) of this section, 
APHIS may issue a provisional grant of access for individuals identified 
by an entity as having a legitimate need to handle or use agents or 
toxins listed in Sec. 121.3 if, as of November 12, 2003, the Attorney 
General has received all of the information, including fingerprint 
cards, required by the Attorney General to conduct a security risk 
assessment of that individual. A provisional grant of access will be 
effective until APHIS grants or denies access to biological agents or 
toxins listed in Sec. 121.3.

[68 FR 62220, Nov. 3, 2003]