How Often Should You Certify Your Biological Safety Cabinet?

In laboratories across Australia and New Zealand, biological safety cabinets play a critical role in ensuring worker safety and maintaining the integrity of sensitive research and clinical work. However, not all biological safety cabinets operate the same way, and not all laboratories require the same certification schedule. Both class I and class II biological safety cabinets must undergo regular certification, but the frequency depends on factors such as usage, the type of research conducted, and regulatory standards. Regular testing by professional calibration, testing, and contamination control services from a fully-accredited maintenance partner is essential to ensure compliance, prevent contamination, and maintain laboratory efficiency. But what determines the optimal certification schedule for your laboratory? Let’s explore the science behind maintenance intervals and why some facilities need more frequent testing than others.

Class I and Class II Biological Safety Cabinets

Biological safety cabinets are categorised into three primary classes—class I, class II, and class III. However, the most commonly used in Australia and New Zealand are class I and class II.

• Class I Biological Safety Cabinets: These provide personal and environmental protection but do not offer product protection. They are commonly used in laboratories handling low-to-moderate risk biological agents, such as those found in microbiology teaching labs or waste decontamination areas.
• Class II Biological Safety Cabinets: These offer a higher level of protection by maintaining sterile airflow that safeguards both the user and the materials being handled. They are widely used in clinical, pharmaceutical, and research settings where sterile working conditions are critical.

While both types require routine maintenance, class II biological safety cabinets often demand stricter certification schedules due to their role in contamination-sensitive environments.

Why Certification is Crucial

A biological safety cabinet operates effectively only when airflow patterns and filtration systems function correctly. Over time, HEPA filters degrade, airflow may become unbalanced, and cabinet integrity can weaken. Regular certification by a NATA accredited lab equipment maintenance partner ensures that the cabinet meets strict safety and compliance standards, preventing exposure to harmful contaminants.

Failure to meet certification requirements can lead to:

• Compromised safety – Inefficient containment of biohazards, increasing risks to laboratory personnel.
• Regulatory non-compliance – Breaching Australian and New Zealand laboratory safety standards.
• Research integrity issues – Cross-contamination leading to unreliable results.

How Often Should You Certify Your Biological Safety Cabinet?

According to Australian Standard AS 2252.2, class I and class II biological safety cabinets must be tested and certified at least once every 12 months. However, certain factors may require more frequent certification:

Class I Biological Safety Cabinets

• General Laboratory Use: Annual certification is usually sufficient for standard microbiology labs.
• High-Use Settings: Facilities using these cabinets extensively for hazardous material handling should consider biannual certification.
• Waste Decontamination Areas: If used for biological waste containment, certification every 6–9 months may be advisable.

Class II Biological Safety Cabinets

• High-Risk Laboratories: Labs handling infectious agents, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or pharmaceuticals should certify cabinets every 6 months.
• Healthcare and Clinical Settings: Hospitals and pathology labs require biannual certification to ensure compliance with contamination control protocols.
• Heavy Usage or High-Workload Environments: Facilities operating cabinets continuously or across multiple shifts should consider testing every 6–9 months.
• Older or Frequently Relocated Cabinets: Cabinets that are over a decade old or moved between locations should be certified more frequently to ensure proper airflow calibration.

Choosing the Right Contamination Control Services

To ensure your biological safety cabinet meets industry safety standards, it is essential to work with accredited contamination control services. In Australia, look for providers accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), and in New Zealand, seek International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) certified technicians. These professionals conduct comprehensive airflow and filter integrity tests to verify that your cabinet operates within safe parameters.

How Often Is Certification Necessary?

There is no universal certification schedule that applies to all biological safety cabinets. While class I models typically require annual certification, class II biological safety cabinets often demand more frequent testing—sometimes every six months—depending on usage, industry standards, and regulatory compliance needs. Regular testing by professional lab equipment contamination control services ensures workplace safety, research accuracy, and adherence to Australian and New Zealand safety standards. By staying proactive with maintenance schedules, laboratories can prevent contamination risks and maintain the highest level of safety in their environments.