The white paper is a guide for principal investigators when purchasing a biosafety cabinet. It emphasizes the importance of involving laboratory staff, who have detailed knowledge and day-to-day experience of using such systems, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department members, who have credentials such as Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP) and Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP), in the selection process. The paper also states the importance of conducting a risk assessment to determine specific requirements and the involvement of internal and external stakeholders in the process. The risk assessment process covers four main elements: hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment, and risk characterization/management. Selecting the right biosafety cabinet is essential to avoid problems and additional costs associated with choosing the wrong one.