Explanatory note

These Regulations make provision in relation to section 108(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43) (“the Act”), which restricts the import and acquisition of genetically modified organisms.

Regulation 2 of these Regulations prescribes the period for which records of risk assessments carried out under section 108(1)(a) of the Act before importing or acquiring GMOs must be kept.

Regulation 3 provides that section 108(1)(a) of the Act will not apply in respect of micro-organisms regulated under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/3217), certain organisms other than micro-organisms, or approved products which are marketed and used in accordance with the provisions of section 111 of the Act and the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/3280).