Regulations relating to the labelling, transport, import and export of genetically modified organisms

Section 6. General rule for transport and import

With the exception of genetically modified organisms listed in section 7, the transport and import of genetically modified organisms may take place without special approval when the requirements in these Regulations regarding labelling and packaging are fulfilled. Transport of genetically modified organisms which is covered by and fulfils the requirements in or is approved pursuant to rules applying to the transport of dangerous goods may take place without special approval as laid down in these Regulations.

Section 7. Transport and import for which approval is required

Approval is required for the transport and import of the following genetically modified organisms:

1. Genetically modified microorganisms where the activity is classified in risk classes 3 and 4.
2. Volume of culture exceeding 10 litres of genetically modified microorganisms where the activity is classified in risk class 2.
3. Live animals and plants used as host organisms for genetically modified microorganisms.
4. All genetically modified animals, with the exception of
   1. traditional livestock that have no wild relatives in Norwegian fauna with which they can cross,
   2. laboratory animals, e.g. mice, rats, hamsters intended for use in laboratories approved for contained use of genetically modified organisms,
   3. embryos, eggs, semen, cell and tissue cultures of animal cells
5. Transport where it is not possible to satisfy the requirements in these Regulations regarding packaging and labelling.

Section 8. Contents of the application

Applications for transport and import shall include the following information:

1. Name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the following: applicant, person responsible pursuant to section 4, sender, recipient and carrier
2. Information concerning packaging, means of transport, transport route and dates of dispatch and delivery
3. Information concerning the organism: taxonomic status, scientific name, common name, characteristics of the genetically modified organism and donor, recipient organism or (if applicable) parental organisms
4. Quantity: number of organisms or litres of culture and number of consignments to be transported and/or imported
5. An assessment of the risks to health and the environment associated with the transport and/or import
6. Information concerning when and by which authority the genetically modified organism was approved or reported for contained use or deliberate release pursuant to sections 7 and 10 of the Gene Technology Act
7. Precautions to be taken when handling the organism(s)
8. Safety routines in connection with accidents
9. Signature.

If necessary, the authority responsible for granting approval may request further information from the applicant.

Section 9. Records

All transport and import of genetically modified organisms shall be recorded by the recipient in Norway, and also by the sender when both are located in Norway. The record shall describe the genetically modified organisms in question, state the dates of dispatch and delivery and the result of the check that everything has been received. The record shall be available at all times for inspection by the supervisory authority. Copies of the transport documents shall be enclosed with the record.

Section 10. Accompanying documents during transport (transport documents)

Transport documents shall be enclosed with all consignments of genetically modified organisms from sender to recipient. The documents shall contain the following information in addition to the requirements in section 19:

a. For genetically modified organisms intended for contained use:

1. information that the organism is intended for contained use,
2. a description of the organism, including common, scientific and (if available) commercial names of the organism,
3. a description of genetic modification, applied technique and the subsequent changes in the properties of the organism
4. precautions in connection with handling, storage, transport and use,
5. risk class
6. specification for use
7. unique identification if such exists, and
8. specification of a contact point for further information, including the recipient of the organism, and exporter or importer.

b. For genetically modified organisms for deliberate release:

1. a declaration that the transport complies with the requirements of the Cartagena Protocol,
2. a description of the organism, including common, scientific and (if available) commercial names of the organism,
3. a description of genetic modification, applied technique and the subsequent changes in the properties of the organism or a unique identification code if such exists,
4. precautions in connection with handling, storage, transport and use,
5. risk class
6. import permit if this is required under section 7, and
7. specification of a contact point for further information, including the sender/exporter and recipient/importer.

Section 11. Packaging

Genetically modified organisms shall be packaged for transport as stipulated in Sections 12-14. The authority responsible for granting approval may make other packaging requirements a condition of approval.

Section 12. Packaging of microorganisms

The packaging shall be watertight, sealed and fracture proof, etc. in order to prevent any unintentional leakage of the contents.

For microorganisms where the activity is classified in risk classes 2, 3 and 4, there shall always be an inner and an outer container, both of which shall be waterproof. Between the inner and the outer containers, there shall be fluid-absorbent material capable of absorbing a quantity of fluid equivalent to that in the container. If two or more inner containers are carried in the same outer container, each inner container shall be separately packaged in shock-absorbent and fluid-absorbent material. The outer container shall be watertight, sealed and fracture proof, etc. in order to prevent any unintentional leakage of the contents.

Section 13. Packaging of plants and parts of plants

There shall always be an inner and an outer container, both of which shall be impervious to spores and pollen. The outer container shall be sealed and fracture proof, etc. in order to prevent any unintentional leakage of the contents.

Section 14. Packaging of animals

The packaging shall consist of either a cage or a container that ensures that the animals are not able to escape or cross with other animals outside the cage or container. Packaging of embryos, eggs, semen, cell and tissue cultures shall be carried out in accordance with the rules in section 12, first paragraph.

Chapter 3. Export

Section 15. Requirement of prior consent

Prior to the initial export of genetically modified organisms intended for deliberate release into the environment in countries outside the European Economic Area, the exporter shall obtain prior consent from the national, competent authority in the country of import, or see to it that this is obtained. The exporter shall send notification with information as mentioned in Sections 16 and 17, or see to it that this is sent, to the relevant national authorities in the country of import. Export is not approved and cannot be undertaken until the authority in the country of import has given its written consent to the undertaking. The exporter shall make sure that the information provided is correct.

The exporter is under obligation to keep a copy of the notification, the import country’s confirmation of receipt and written import permit for at least five years and send a copy of these documents to the Directorate for Nature Management.

The following are exempt from the requirements in the first and second paragraphs:

1. Genetically modified organisms in transit or exports of genetically modified organisms intended for contained use when the transfer takes place in compliance with the requirements in the country of import.
2. Exports of genetically modified organisms to countries which have stated to the Mechanism for Information Exchange under the Cartagena Protocol that import can take place without informed prior consent, provided that sufficient measures are initiated to ensure safe transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms in accordance with the objective of the Cartagena Protocol.
3. Exports of genetically modified organisms intended for direct use as food or feed or for processing to
   - countries which have made decisions on imports in accordance with domestic regulatory frameworks which are in keeping with the objective of the Cartagena Protocol and
   - developing countries or countries with an economy in transition which have declared through the Mechanism for Information Exchange that decisions prior to the initial import will be made in line with Article 11 (6) of the Cartagena Protocol. In these cases export shall not take place until the procedure in Article 11 has been completed. The failure of a country to communicate its decision may not be interpreted either as consent to or as refusal of such import.

Section 16. Notification of export of genetically modified organisms

Notification prior to the export of genetically modified organisms shall contain the following information:

1. Exporter’s name, address and contact details
2. Importer’s name, address and contact details
3. Name and identity of the living modified organism, if applicable with the national classification of biosafety level for the living modified organism in Norway
4. Intended date or dates for transboundary movement, if known
5. Taxonomic status, scientific name, common name, place of collection or procurement and characteristics of the recipient organism or parental organisms relevant to biosafety
6. Centres of origin and centres of genetic diversity, if known, for the recipient organism and/or parental organisms and a description of habitats where the organisms may persist and proliferate
7. Taxonomic status, scientific name, common name, place of collection or procurement and characteristics of donor organism(s) relevant to biosafety
8. Description of the inserted nucleic acid or the modification carried out, applied technique and the subsequent changes in the characteristics of the living modified organism
9. Intended use of the living modified organism or products thereof, namely, processed materials that are of living modified organism origin, containing detectable novel combinations of replicable genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology
10. Quantity or volume of living modified organism to be transferred
11. Risk assessment report
12. Proposed methods for safe handling, storage, transport and use, including packaging, labelling, documentation, disposal and contingence procedures, where applicable
13. Regulatory status of the living modified organism in Norway (for example, whether it is prohibited in the export state, whether other restrictions apply or whether it is approved for general release) and, if the living modified organism is prohibited, the reason or reasons for its prohibition
14. The result and purpose of every notification from the exporter to other states about the living modified organism to be transferred
15. Declaration that the above information is in agreement with the facts.

Section 17. Notification of export of genetically modified organisms intended for direct use as food or feed or for processing

Notification prior to export of genetically modified organisms intended for direct use as food or feed or for processing shall contain the following information:

1. Name and contact details of the authority responsible for the decision
2. Name and identity of the living modified organism
3. Description of the genetic modification, applied technology and the subsequent changes in characteristics of the living modified organism
4. Any unique identification of the living modified organism
5. Taxonomic status, common name, source (place of collection or procurement) and characteristics of the recipient organism or parental organisms relevant to biosafety
6. Centres of origin and centres of genetic diversity, if known, for the recipient organism and/or parental organisms and a description of habitats where the organisms may persist or proliferate
7. Taxonomic status, common name, source (place of collection or procurement) and characteristics of donor organism(s) relevant to biosafety
8. Approved uses of the living modified organism
9. Risk assessment report
10. Proposed methods for safe handling, storage, transport and use, including packaging, labelling, documentation, disposal and contingency procedures, where applicable

Section 18. Dispatch of information relating to the export of genetically modified organisms

The exporter shall make sure that the following information, in addition to the information listed in section 19, can be seen from the accompanying documents and is sent to the importer who receives the genetically modified organism:

1. In the case of genetically modified organisms intended for direct use as food or feed or for processing a declaration from the exporter that the genetically modified organisms are intended for such use and not for deliberate release into the environment, a contact point for further information, including exporter, importer or competent authority in the country of export, the organism’s common, scientific and (if available) commercial names.
2. In the case of genetically modified organisms intended for contained use the common and scientific names of the organism, information that it is intended for contained use, precautions in connection with handling, storage, transport and use, and information about a contact point for further information, including the name and address of the recipient of the organisms.
3. In the case of genetically modified organisms intended for deliberate release into the environment in the import country and any other genetically modified organisms that are covered by these Regulations a declaration from the exporter that the transport complies with the requirements in the Cartagena Protocol regarding the exporter and the following additional information:
4. 1. information about the organism: common and scientific names, characteristics of the genetically modified organism or a unique identification code if such exists,
   2. precautions relating to handling, storage, transport and use, and
   3. a contact point for further information, including exporter and importer.

Chapter 4. Labelling

Section 19. Labelling

Products consisting of or containing genetically modified organisms shall be labelled in Norwegian and/or English with the words “Inneholder genmodifiserte organismer” alternatively “Inneholder (name of organism(s))” and/or “Contains genetically modified organisms” alternatively “Contains genetically modified (name of organism(s))”. On packaged products, the information shall be given on a label on each packaged unit. For other products, the information shall be given on an accompanying document or notice.

The product’s commercial name, name and address of the person in the European Economic Area responsible for the sale of the product and information about where further information can be obtained about the genetically modified organism of which the product consists or which the product contains must also be given on the label or accompanying document.

In the case of genetically modified organisms which are approved for sale, a unique identification code shall also be stated in the accompanying document, if such code exists. For combinations of genetically modified organisms which can only be used directly as food or feed or for processing, the unique identification code may be substituted with a declaration that the combination is intended for such use, and a list enclosed of the unique identification codes for all the genetically modified organisms that have been used to make the combination.

Chapter 5. Accidents

Section 20. Obligation to report

Accidents during transport that have resulted in or can result in the release of genetically modified organisms shall be reported without undue delay to the Directorate for Nature Management. Accidents involving genetically modified organisms that are classified as dangerous goods shall also be reported to the local fire and rescue services.

Section 21. Duty in connection with accidents

The person responsible pursuant to section 4 of these Regulations has a duty to prevent and limit damage, as laid down in section 21 of the Gene Technology Act.

Chapter 6 Implementation and enforcement

Section 22. Approval and supervision

The Directorate for Nature Management is responsible for approving applications for the transport or import of genetically modified plants and animals and it supervises compliance with the provisions in these Regulations. The authorities shall deal with applications as quickly as possible. If the matter has not been decided within one month of the authorities’ receipt of the application, the applicant shall be informed in writing of this and of when a decision can be expected.

Section 23. Exceptions

If special grounds so indicate, the authorities may, either by means of individual decisions or by issuing regulations, make exceptions from the provisions laid down in these Regulations.

Section 24. Penalties

Anyone contravening these Regulations shall be subject to penalties in accordance with section 25 of the Gene Technology Act.

Section 25. Coercive fines

In order to ensure the implementation of the provisions set out in these Regulations or of decisions made pursuant to these Regulations, the supervisory authority may impose coercive fines, cf. section 24 of the Gene Technology Act.

Section 26. Appeals

Any appeals against individual decisions made pursuant to these Regulations shall be addressed to the Ministry of the Environment.

Section 27. Entry into force

These Regulations enter into force immediately. Regulations No. 1066 of 13 November 1998 on transport and import of genetically modified organisms are repealed at the same time.