Event

Training on Pakistan Biosafety Clearing House (Pak-BCH) web portal

The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has successfully conducted three training sessions for Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) on the use of the Pakistan Biosafety Clearing-House (Pak-BCH) portal for online application submission. These sessions are part of a nationwide effort to strengthen biosafety governance and fulfill Pakistan’s obligations under Article 20 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

The Pak-BCH portal serves as a centralized digital platform for managing applications related to Genetically Modified (GM) work. It facilitates streamlined, paperless, and transparent submission procedures, ensuring timely processing and compliance with biosafety regulations. The portal also provides updated information on biosafety guidelines, enhancing accessibility and awareness among stakeholders.

All the notified IBCs across the country were successfully trained during these sessions. The trainings ensured that all users understood the process of online application submission of GM related applications: Laboratory manipulation work, field trial, commercialization and Food, Feed, and Processing (FFP). Participants were given step-by-step guidelines on how to navigate the portal, upload required documentation and ensure regulatory compliance. IBCs were strongly encouraged to submit their applications exclusively through the Pak-BCH portal, as physical submissions will no longer be accepted under the updated biosafety framework.

The training sessions were marked by active participation, with attendees engaging in discussions, seeking clarification on procedural steps, and gaining hands-on experience with the portal’s functionalities. The Pak-BCH technical team addressed queries and provided comprehensive support throughout.

Pak-BCH remains committed to enhancing biosafety capacity and regulatory efficiency through continued training and stakeholder engagement across the country.

Dated: April 22, 2025