E126:05 12 October 2005

Changes to the genetically modified organisms regulations

Amendments that clarify and simplify working with contained Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have recently come into force.

Key requirements of the regulations include:

• Apply appropriate containment measures and controls
• Notify HSE of all premises where genetic modification is to take place
• Notify HSE of certain higher risk activities – e.g. consent being required before work can begin on class 3 and 4 organisms.

Key changes to the regulations include:

• Amendments to some of the containment measures set out in Schedule 8 of the regulations to provide greater clarity for notifiers and inspectors
• A provision on the collection of information on transboundary movements of class 3 and 4 GMOs so that the UK can pass this information to the EC and the Biological Clearing House as required by EC law
• Simplification of the disclosure of information provisions so that they align with the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and equivalent Scottish regulations
• Removal of the regional versions of the public register

The regulations apply to contained use facilities such as microbiology laboratories, animal houses, greenhouses and industrial production facilities. GMOs that are deliberately introduced into the environment for experimental purposes are outside the scope of these regulations.

Copies of the national public register will continue to be available at the HSE offices in London and Bootle. The edition of the register relating to Scotland and Wales will also to be kept in Edinburgh and Cardiff respectively. HSE is shortly to place an electronic version of the full national register on the HSE website.

Guidance on how these changes effect stakeholders is available on the HSE website: www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/gmo/guidance/amendingregs.pdf

Notes to Editors :

• The Genetically Modified (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 implement European Directive 98/81/EC which amended the Directive (90/219/EEC) on contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms.

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