Existing product

A GMO granted authorisation in the EU based on laws that are no longer in effect, but legally remain on the market

EU regulations for the authorisation of genetically modified plants and derived food and feed were changed in 2004. Before 2004, several GM products had already been granted authorisation based on regulations that are no longer valid.

The current EU regulation (1829/2003) on genetically modified food and feed contains clauses addressing previuosly authorised GMOs. They may remain on the market, but only after having gone through a notification process.

The notification is accepted upon certain conditions:

• The developer of the respective GM product must provide the European Commission with the documents necessary to conduct a safety assessments as set forth by the new regulations.

• A standardised detection protocol must be made available.

• The product must be conformed to the new EU regulation (1830/2003) on GMO labelling and traceability.

Notified GM food and feed are considered "existing products" and are entered into the European Commission's register of GM food and feed.

Permission to market existing products expires nine years after the original date of authorisation. Before the nine years expires, a new application based on current regulations must be submitted.