Amendments to Gentically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000
HSC press release C054:04 - 23 December 2004
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) are consulting on proposed minor
amendments to the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations
2000. The consultation runs from 20 December 2004 to 12 March 2005.
The proposed amendments include the following:
- The possibility of removing the regional versions of the public register;
these versions are not in fact being used. The register will still be
available in London and Liverpool and we are planning to create an abridged
version for the internet shortly. The parts of the register that relate
to Scotland and Wales will remain in HSE offices in those countries.
- Amendments to some of the containment measures to help clarify requirements.
- The replacement of regulations 22 and 23 on confidentiality with references
to the relevant provisions in the Environmental Information Regulations
2004, in force from 1 January 2005.The possibility of using the GMO (Contained
Use) Regulations to collect information on the transboundary movement
of GMOs for use in contained facilities. The collection of this information
is required by the European Commission and HSC are consulting on the best
way to implement the requirement.
- Several technical changes required by Parliament’s Joint Committee
on Statutory Instruments; changes which make no difference to the effect
of the Regulations.
Details are in the publication Consultative Document Proposals for the
Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Amendment Regulations 2005,
available from HSE Books.
Notes to Editors
- The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000
protect humans and the environment from risks arising from working with
GMOs in contained facilities. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) administers
these Regulations.
- Most Contained Use activities are in laboratories.
- All centres working with genetically modified organisms have to notify
HSE and there are currently about 550 centres so notified.
- Separate regulations cover the deliberate release of GMOs, for example
in farm evaluations, and these regulations are administered by the Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
- The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 are administered by
Defra.
Press enquiries
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