Genetically Modified Organisms

The primary piece of legislation that applies to the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the workplace are the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000. These regulations were current up to 30 September 2014. On 1 October 2014, a new set of regulations, the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2014 (GMO (CU) Regulations) take their place. The new regulations consolidate and revoke the 2000 regulations and its three sets of amending regulations (2002, 2005 and 2010).

The GMO (CU) Regulations provide for human health and safety and environmental protection from genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) in contained use, and human health and safety from genetically modified plants and animals. The key requirement of the regulations is to assess the risks of all activities and to make sure that any necessary controls are put in place. The GMO (CU) Regulations provide a framework for making these judgments, and place clear legal obligations on people who work with GMOs.

The HSE says some of the changes made in the 2014 regulations reflect the experience of applying them since 2000, and make them more “risk based and proportionate. This will help businesses comply with the law”. The guidance on the regulations (L29) has been amended to reflect the changes which came about as a result of a recommendation by the Löfstedt review that the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 and its amending regulations should be consolidated as part of a general process of consolidating health and safety law. This was on the basis that consolidation should not reduce the health and safety protection afforded by the current regulations. The government accepted this recommendation, and committed the HSE to delivering the revised regulations by the end of 2014.