ACGM newsletter No. 32

June 2003

Back to ACGM Newsletter Index

Welcome to ACGM Newsletter 32. This Newsletter contains information and guidance for those undertaking activities covered by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 and is designed to provide information on where guidance on these regulations can be found.

A hard copy of this document can be obtained through the ACGM Secretariat by e-mailing Jane.Rheinheimer@hse.gsi.gov.uk

ACGM News

The 48th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification was held on Thursday 14th November 2002 at the Health and Safety Executive, the Globe Room, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London. The meeting included:

• Secretariat Report on European and International activities relating to genetically modified organisms;
• Secretariat report on the annual review of exclusions from the public register;
• Report from the technical subcommittee meeting held on 11th November;
• Outline proposals to amend the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000;
• Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 and Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1993 overlap;
• Ibio presentation from DTI;
• ACGM/TSC/ACRE joint horizon scanning exercise.

A summary of the meeting is available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/hsc/iacs/acgm/acgm48.htm

The third annual report on the work of ACGM has been published and is available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/hthdir/noframes/gm-rep3.pdf

General

• European and international activities related to the contained use of genetically modified organisms.

This paper describes the latest developments on the Aarhus Convention, which promotes public access to environmental information and decision-making; and the EU regulation on transboundary movement of GMOs.

• Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 and the Plant Health Order 1993

This document describes the measures being taken to overcome the duplication of notification under these two sets of legislation.

• New Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations (2002) - What the amendments to the biological agents provisions mean for you

This document gives a brief update on the new COSHH Regulations, which came into force on 21 November 2002.

Amendment of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2002

At the 48th meeting of ACGM (see above), outline proposals to amend the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000.were discussed. Some amendments are necessary following comments on the 2000 Regulations from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments. The opportunity is being taken to address other issues that have arisen since the Regulations came into force. ACGM agreed that work should go ahead on preparing amending regulations and HSE is now working up the proposals into a consultative document to be published later in the year. Areas under consideration for amendment include:

• extending the Regulations so that they apply to activities and premises outside GB to which the provisions of the Health and safety at Work etc Act apply;
• transparency of the location of premises undertaking GM activities and the public register;
• the need for regional versions of the public register;
• changes to waste inactivation measures.

Notification issues

Fees increase

It is 'HM' Government's policy to recover full costs where charging schemes are in place and HSE has not recouped these full costs from the GMO contained use notification process over previous years. This higher than inflation rise helps (in part) to address this imbalance. A document detailing the current fees can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/dst/acgmwarn.htm.

• Notifying accidents
  The Contained Use Regulations 2000 require centres to immediately notify the Competent Authority of accidents resulting in significant and unintended release of genetically modified organisms. This document provides guidance on what sort of incidents would require notification to HSE as a GM accident, the information you have to provide, who to contact, and what the Competent Authority does with the information.
• Form for notifying the Competent Authority of accidents involving genetically modified organisms
  A form has been drawn up to enable centres to supply information on GM accidents to the Competent Authority.
• Updating centre contact details
  This document aims to remind GM centres of the need to keep the Competent Authority up-to-date with the contact details of your organisation, and provides information on quick and easy ways to do this.

Enforcement & Incidents

• Enforcement
  This document describes enforcement action taken since September 2002.
• Incidents - Lessons to be learnt
  This document provides information on a laboratory-acquired vaccinia virus infection.

Contacts

• HSE contact details

Workshops

The HSE has received a number of enquiries about workshops on the GMO(CU) Regulations for biological safety officers. We are proposing to hold two, 1-day workshops later this year. Currently we expect to hold one workshop for BSOs, safety officers and safety professionals, and a second for academics, researchers and others whose work may fall under GMO(CU).

To gauge the interest in these events and to arrange suitable venues, we would be grateful if you would indicate your interest by e-mailing liz.pollitt@hse.gsi.gov.uk, before 31 June 2003.

It would also be helpful if your e-mail could include:

• the name of the organisation/company you represent;
• your role in the organisation;
• and any topics you would particularly like the workshop to cover.

Newsletters by e-mail

If you would like to receive an electronic version of the ACGM Newsletter and all the associated documents by e-mail please send an e-mail to Jane.Rheinheimer@hse.gsi.gov.uk. We would be grateful if you could inform others in your organisation, (particularly those involved in risk assessment and notification) of this facility to ensure that guidance issued in newsletters receives a wide circulation.

Updated on HSE web site 5 June 2003

Back to ACGM Newsletter Index