The International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS) has submitted a formal contribution to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the circular, regenerative and competitive bioeconomy. In its submission, IBBIS calls for stronger biosecurity measures to underpin Europe’s bioeconomic ambitions, arguing that responsible governance of advanced biotechnology is essential for a sustainable, trusted, and resilient future.

IBBIS welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to shape a circular, regenerative and competitive bioeconomy. We strongly believe that the bioeconomy, particularly in its most advanced forms involving synthetic biology, DNA technologies, and AI-enabled biological design, must be built on a foundation of biosecurity if it is to remain sustainable, trusted and resilient over the long term. — Sophie Peresson, IBBIS

IBBIS’s submission, titled Towards a Safe and Competitive Bioeconomy: The Case for Proactive Biosecurity Governance, outlines three core recommendations:

• Mandate DNA sequence screening: All synthetic DNA providers and users should screen for harmful sequences using standardized, interoperable protocols aligned across the EU and with international guidance (e.g. ISO 20688-2:2024).
• Create incentives for industry biosecurity adoption: Through certification schemes, Horizon Europe calls, and public recognition, the EU can reward proactive safety and responsible innovation.
• Facilitate coordinated, inclusive governance: IBBIS advocates for multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure that biosecurity keeps pace with rapid technological change.

The submission reinforces key proposals made by IBBIS earlier this year to the EU Biotech Act consultation, including support for innovation in biosecurity tools, mechanisms for traceability, and alignment with global dual-use frameworks. Emphasizing risks to public trust, international collaboration, and environmental integrity, the submission concludes:

The bioeconomy is not just a scientific or industrial project—it is a societal one. To ensure its long-term success, biosecurity must be embedded from the outset, not added as an afterthought.

IBBIS warns that the current absence of binding and harmonized screening standards leaves critical gaps as synthetic DNA production scales across sectors—from healthcare and agriculture to digital infrastructure. The organization urges the Commission to recognize biosecurity as a core enabler of the circular bioeconomy and to invest in interoperable infrastructure and collaborative governance models.

For inquiries about the IBBIS submission to the call for evidence, please contact Sophie Peresson, sophie@ibbis.bio.

Feature image from Umberto Salvagnin on Flickr.