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Health Sciences Authority

Transfer

Transfer, in relation to a biological agent and toxin, is the movement of biological agent from one facility to another facility.

Last updated on 31 October 2026

Requirements

A notification to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is required for the transfer of First Schedule Part 2, Second Schedule biological agents and Fifth Schedule toxins, and is strongly encouraged for First Schedule Part 1 biological agents.

  1. Table of Controls for the Scheduled Biological Agents and Toxins (opens in new tab)

  2. List of Biological Agents and Toxins (opens in new tab)

The following are the requirements for the transfer of First Schedule, Second Schedule biological agents and Fifth Schedule toxins.

It is the responsibility of the transferor1 to ensure that -

  1. The transferee2 has been granted an approval from the HSA, to possess the biological agent/toxin being transferred.

  2. The carrier of the biological agent/toxin being transferred must:

    • Have knowledge on the hazards and characteristics of the biological agent/toxin being transferred and/or have a 24-hour emergency contact number of a person having knowledge of the hazards and characteristics of the biological agent/toxin being transferred.

    • Ensure the driver must have a Hazardous Material Transport (HAZMAT) Driver Permit issued by the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

¹ Transferor (sender) - in relation to any biological agent/toxin, is defined as a person who provides the biological agent/toxin to another person

2 Transferee (recipient) - in relation to any biological agent/toxin, is defined as the person to whom the biological agent/toxin is provided

Notification

Notification of transfer by the transferor

  1. If the transferor is a non-registered facility -

    • The transferor must send an e-mail notification to the transferee and the HSA with the following information:

      • Name of the biological agent/toxin.

      • Name of the facility of the transferee and the transferor.

      • Expected date and time of transfer.

      • Carrier for transporting the biological agent/toxin.

    • The transferor must remind the transferee to notify HSA upon receipt of the biological agent/toxin.

  1. If the transferor is a registered facility -

    • The transferor must login to the Healthcare Application and Licensing Portal-Biosafety Module (HALP-BS (opens in new tab)) to make notification of Transfer online. The following information will be required:

      • Name of the biological agent/toxin.

      • Name of the facility of the transferee and the transferor.

      • Expected date and time of transfer.

      • Carrier for transporting the biological agent/toxin.

    • The transferor must remind the transferee to notify HSA upon receiving or failing to receive the biological agent/toxin.

Notification of transfer by the transferee

  1. The transferee shall inform HSA, the status of the transfer of biological agent/toxin -

    • The transferee must login to the HALP-BS (opens in new tab) and proceed to the Receipt of Biological Agent function to acknowledge the transfer.

    • If the transferee fails to receive the consignment within 24 hours of such time as may be reasonably estimated by him for the receipt, then he must notify HSA of the Failure of Receipt via telephone or e-mail. The transferee must also login to the HALP-BS (opens in new tab) to do the notification online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to commonly asked questions on the FAQ page.

Related Information

  1. Certified Facility

  2. Uncertified Facility

  3. Biomanufacturing Facility

  4. Approval to Possess

  5. Notification