Standardization in the field of biotechnology, particularly in relation to food, pharmaceuticals and agriculture, to support the development of the industry as well as to provide a safety framework for workers, consumers and environment with four main tasks: - biotechnical research, development and analysis in laboratories; - performance criteria for equipment used in biotechnology, especially as regards the problems of cleanability, sterilizability and leaktightness; - large scale production operations; - release into the environment of genetically modified organisms.