Biosafety Act, 2006 (No. 7 of 2006).

This Act concerns the control of genetically modified organisms (GMO's) and related risks. The Act establishes the Biosafety Council for this purpose.
The objects of this Act include: (a) to introduce a system and procedures for the regulation of genetically modified organisms in Namibia in order to provide an adequate level of protection to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity; (b) to provide a framework for responsible research, development and the use of genetic engineering and to manage the risks posed by or as a result of gene technology by regulating activities involving the development, production, use, import, export, transport, release into the environment, marketing and other uses of genetically modified organisms and genetically modified products. This Act is applicable to the following activities: (a) the import of a GMO or GMO product; (b) the export of a GMO or GMO product; (c) the release into the environment of a GMO or GMO product; (d) the contained use of a GMO or GMO product; (e) the placing on the market of a GMO or GMO product; (f) the transport of a GMO or GMO product, including transport in transit through Namibia; and (g) the use or handling in any other way of a GMO or GMO product.
The Council shall, among other things: investigate and consider applications for permits to deal with GMOs or GMO products; initiate and manage consultation and review processes on the development of national strategies, plans, policies and programmes on biotechnology and biosafety in Namibia; and issue technical and procedural guidelines in relation to GMOs and biosafety. The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology must appoint a Registrar of the Council.
A person must not deal with a GMO or GMO product unless authorized by a permit issued under this Act. An application for a permit must be submitted to the Registrar. The Registrar must subsequently submit to the Council the application and, if applicable, the accompanying risk assessment report and risk management plan. The Minister may by Regulation prescribe exemptions from any of the provisions of this Act in relation to any GMOs or GMO products or any class of GMOs or GMO products. Any activity carried out under a permit must be carried out in or at a facility which complies with the requirements prescribed for the class of activity in question and which has been registered by the Council for that class of activity. The Act also contains rules for the packaging, labelling, identification and transport of GMO's and provides with respect to inspections, emergencies, notification given under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity of unintentional transboundary movement of GMO, appeal, offences, etc.