Legislative Decree No. 224 implementing Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms

On the basis of the precautionary principle and in compliance with the provisions laid down in Directive 2001/18/EC, this Legislative Decree establishes the measures to be implemented in order to protect human health, animal health as well as the environment against risks that may arise out of the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Ministry of the Environment is designated to be the competent authority in the coordination of administrative, technical and scientific activities intended to implement the protective measures hereby set out. The Ministry of the Environment shall also be in charge of the issuance of the required authorizations to release GMOs into the environment. The Interministerial Committee set up as per article 6 shall cooperate in the environmental risk assessment to be carried out prior to the issue of the authorization. Title II of the Legislative Decree makes rules applicable to the deliberate release of GMOs for purposes other than marketing. Title III, on the other side, regards the placing on the market of GMOs as such or contained in products. Eight Annexes are attached. Annex I regards techniques of genetical modification. Annex II lays down principles for environmental risk assessment. Annexes III and IV are concerned with the information to be contained in prior notification. Annex V lays down criteria concerning the application of the different procedures hereby envisaged. Annex VI gives guidelines for the drafting of assessment reports. Annex VII regards the monitoring plan. Annex VIII deals with public access to information.