Guidance on using the Register of Genetically Modified Organisms for Food and Feed uses

Introduction

This electronic register is for information purposes. It sets out a list of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) permitted for food and feed uses in Great Britain (GB), and provides reference to each of their authorising legislation and detailed information on the terms of the authorisation. The register does not replace retained EU Regulation No. 1829/2003, which remains as the legal basis for the placing on the market of GMOs for food and/or feed uses; including containing or consisting of, and produced from or containing ingredients produced from GMOs. The search in this electronic register also covers GMOs that are subject to the terms made on the withdrawal from the market and authorisations that have expired.

Understanding the register fields

Each entry on the register is listed under a GMO event basis, which specifies the transformation(s) applied to genome of the organism. The organism (or its constituent part) that the GMO event is applied to, is given as the Commodity, which is listed to the right-hand side of the GMO event headline. Selection for the type of commodity is available as a category under the search filters.

Unique ID

This is the unique identification code(s) assigned to the GMO that corresponds with the GMO event(s). This system of GMO identification is based on an internationally recognised registry implemented for GMO traceability measures.

Authorised use

This catalogues the uses covered by the authorisation for the GMO that can be placed on the market for.

Applies in

The policymaking decision for the authorisation of GMOs is a devolved responsibility taken by the countries of Great Britain. Entries on the register contain information specific to authorisations in England, Scotland and Wales where there may have divergences. Selection of entries specific only to England, Scotland or Wales is available as a category under the search filters. (GMO authorisations that are approved for food and feed uses in Northern Ireland are as provided by the European Commission GMO Register.)

Legal basis

This provides the legislative basis for the authorisation of the GMO entry. Information from this register field can be utilised into the search criteria to isolate GMO authorisations that are contained as part of sub-combinations to “stacked” GM transformation events (i.e. GMOs created with more than one transformation event).

Linked authorisations

This register field will provide supplementary information where the entry for the GMO event is associated with other entries in the GMO register, including instructions on how to access this supplementary detail.

Date of Expiry

This is the date after which the authorisation becomes expired and the GMO is no longer authorised for uses in food and/or feed and placement on the market. Authorisations are granted for a period covering ten years from the Authorisation date, that is, the date the authorisation was legislated to come into force. In the event an application for renewing the authorisation is under review, the validity of the authorisation is to become ongoing until such time suitability for its renewal for an additional ten-year period is concluded.

Search

The register enables a free-text search of entries with most effective searches based on the specific named GMO event(s), Unique ID code(s) or Legal basis. It is worth noting that a search for a particular entry from inputting a GMO event, Unique ID code or Legal basis entry can often yield numerous result entries. Please endeavour to scroll through all the results as this may appear as an entry further along the search list.

The option to apply filters is available with the following field criteria:

• Commodity
• Authorised or Withdrawn status
• The Countries of Great Britain the authorisation Applies In
• Dates that may include:
  • Authorised after
  • Authorised before
  • Expires after
  • Expires before

Summary Page

Further information on the Product details for the GMO event is offered by clicking the GMO event headline. Information fields contained within the GMO event product details page include:

Authorisation holder: Information pertaining to the authorisation holder as responsible for applying for the authorisation.

Characteristics: Details outlining the trait(s) conferred by the genetic modification.

Detection Method: Outlining the appropriate detection method and where further details for this method can be accessed.

Any specific requirements attributed to the GMO authorisation that might relate to Labelling, Post-market monitoring and Environmental monitoring plan are also detailed where these are available.

Renewal application notes: This register field will provide further details to the GMO event authorisation status in relation to an application made for renewal of the authorisation. Whilst under the authorisation renewal process, the validity of the authorisation is to become ongoing until such time the suitability for its renewal is concluded.

Withdrawn status

The register will by default provide the list that includes GMOs that are authorised and withdrawn. Entries designated as (withdrawn) in the GMO event headline identify those GMO authorisations for which the 10-year validity period has expired, or which are under legislated restrictive measures allowing the GMO to transition its withdrawal from the market. The option to only list GMO events that are Withdrawn or Authorised is available as a feature under the search filters.

Date of Withdrawal / Authorisation withdrawal date: This is the date for when the authorisation of the GMO event had expired, meaning it is no longer authorised for uses in food and/or feed and for placement on the market. Where there may be transitional withdrawal arrangements applied for adventitious or technically unavoidable presence, the withdrawal date is superseded by the transitional tolerance end date legislated under the new terms.

Transitional tolerance end date: This applies where transitional withdrawal arrangements were made for the GMO authorisation as detailed under the Authorised use field, providing the date on which the legislated transitional tolerance arrangement is set to end.