SUMMARY OF:
Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed
Full text of Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 
WHAT DOES THIS REGULATION DO?
It lays down rules on how genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are authorised and supervised, and on how genetically modified food and animal feed is labelled.
It aims to protect:
- people’s lives and health
- animal health and welfare
- environmental and consumer interests.
KEY POINTS
The regulation applies to:
- GMOs used in food or in animal feed
- food or animal feed containing GMOs
- food or feed made with or containingingredients made using GMOs.
Applying for authorisation
- Producers submit a single application covering all uses: food, animal feed and cultivation.
- Within 2 weeks the competent authority in the relevant EU country acknowledges receipt and informs the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA).
- EFSA has 6 months to assess the application.
Risk management
The European Commission is responsible for risk management.
Based on EFSA’s assessment, the Commission drafts a recommendation to accept or reject the application.
The proposal is sent to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.
If the committee accepts the proposal, the Commission adopts it. If not, the Council assesses the draft decision, and decides whether or not the Commission should adopt it.
Labelling
Food and feed containing GMOs should be clearly labelled.
But if food or feed contains less than 0.9 % GMOs, it does not need to be labelled – as long as the GMO content is technically unavoidable.
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