CON-TEST is experienced in the commissioning of containment facilities. An institution in which work is performed that requires containment compliance bears the legal responsibility for ensuring that the facilities, and the work in them, meets acceptable standards. Before putting a containment laboratory into service, it is essential that the institution satisfy itself that the facility meets the standards required. The laboratory equipment and procedures must pass a series of inspection, testing and proving protocols before pathogenic agents are used. This inspection must be repeated annually thereafter. Detailed records of these inspections and test results should be maintained indefinitely.