“ It is the policy of the United States that: (a) ⁠ A robust and productive scientific enterprise that utilizes biological select agents and toxins (BSAT) is essential to national security; (b) ⁠ BSAT shall be secured in a manner appropriate to their risk of misuse, theft, loss, and accidental release ”

“ The absence of clearly defined, risk-based security measures in the SAR/SAP has raised concern about the need for optimized security and for risk management. (b) ⁠ In addition, variations in, and limited coordination of, individual executive departments' and agencies' oversight, security practices, and inspections have raised concerns that the cost and complexity of compliance for those who are registered to work with BSAT could discourage research or other legitimate activities. ”

“ To help ensure that BSAT are secured according to level of risk, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture shall, through their ongoing review of the biological Select Agents and Toxins List ("Select Agent List") contained in regulations, and no later than 18 months from the date of this order: (a) ⁠ designate a subset of the Select Agent List (Tier 1) that presents the greatest risk of deliberate misuse with most significant potential for mass casualties or devastating effects to the economy, critical infrastructure, or public confidence ”