Questions and answers on the regulation of GMOs in the European Union (updated)

Source: European Commission - DG Health and Consumer Protection - Food and Feed Safety

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Questions and Answers on the Regulation of GMOs in the European Union

• What are GMOs?

• Overview of EU legislation on GMOs

• Release into the environment

  • What are the principles introduced by Directive 2001/18/EC?

  • What is the procedure for authorisation of the experimental release of GMOs into the environment?

  • What is the procedure for authorising the placing on the market of GMOs as such or as a component in products?

  • How does the environmental risk assessment procedure work?

  • Have GMOs already been authorised for release into the environment?

  • National safeguard measures

  • National safeguard measures chiefly concerning genetically modified foods

• GMOs for food and feed use and genetically modified food and feed

  • What are the principles of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003?

  • What is the authorisation procedure under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003?

  • Have GMOs already been approved for use in food products?

  • Which genetically modified feeds have been authorised?

  • What are the current rules on genetically modified varieties and seeds?

• Labelling and traceability of GMOs

  • Why does the EU have specific rules on traceability of GMOs?

  • What are the rules on traceability of GMOs?

  • How does traceability work in practice?

  • What are the rules on labelling of GMO products?

  • Exemption from the traceability and labelling requirements

  • Will the meat or milk of an animal fed with GM feed also be labelled as genetically modified?

  • Why do the new Regulations allow the presence of traces of GM materials which have received a favourable scientific assessment, but which are not yet formally approved?

• Co-existence

  • What are the rules on co-existence between transgenic crops and traditional or organic crops?

• The international environment

  • Are the new labelling rules in line with international trade rules?

  • What are the rules governing the movement and international trade of GMOs?

Annex 1
GMO Products approved under Directive 90/220/EEC as of March 2001

Annex 1B
GMO Products authorised under Directive 2001/18/EC

Annex 2
GMO Products – Pending notification under Directive 2001/18/EC

Annex 3
Genetically modified (GM) Foods and Feeds authorised in the European Union

Annex 4
Genetically modified (GM) Foods and Feeds pending authorisation in the European Union

Annex 5
GMO Products invocation of Article 16 under Directive 90/220/EEC

Complete document in PDF format: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biotechnology/gmfood/qanda_en.pdf