Australia
January 20, 2011
The Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act) contains provisions for the Gene Technology Regulator (the Regulator) to issue technical or procedural guidelines in relation to GMOs. The draft revised Guidelines for the Transport, Storage and Disposal of GMOs are the result of a review of transport guidelines by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR).
All organisations accredited by the Regulator to conduct dealings involving gene technology have been asked to provide direct feedback, as well as a range of other expert groups and authorities.
Change of Name
With the expanded scope of the Guidelines for the Transport, Storage and Disposal of GMOs, the name has been changed from Guidelines for the Transport of GMOs to better reflect this change.
Format
The draft revised Guidelines for the Transport, Storage and Disposal of GMOs contains three parts. These parts separately consist of:
• Part 1 – Conditions of Transport of GMOs (PC1-PC4);
• Part 2 – Conditions for the Storage of GMOs; and
• Part 3 – Conditions for the Disposal of GMOs.
I would appreciate your comments by 3 March 2011. Comments can be sent by mail to the OGTR at the address on this letter or via email to ogtr@health.gov.au. If you have any specific queries please contact my office by telephone on 1800 181 030 or via email to ogtr@health.gov.au.
After the closing date, the OGTR will finalise the guidelines, taking into account the comments received. The Regulator will then issue the new Guidelines for the Transport, Storage and Disposal of GMOs version 1.1 and revoke the current Guidelines for the Transport of GMOs.
The final Guidelines for the Transport, Storage and Disposal of GMOs version 1.1 will be sent to all accredited organisations and expert organisations that have been consulted. A copy will also be placed on the OGTR web site.
It is anticipated that for NLRDs the guidelines will be applied by the proposed amended Gene Technology Regulations 2001 which will come into effect in mid 2011. For licensed dealings the conditions in the guidelines may be applied by direct reference in the licence.
A copy of the draft revised Guidelines for the Transport, Storage and Disposal of GMOs can be downloaded from this page. Alternatively, a hard copy of the document can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator at the address below.
Comments should be forwarded to the Regulator by close of business on 3 March 2011.
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
MDP 54 PO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: 1800 181 030
Facsimile: 02 6271 4202
E-mail: ogtr@health.gov.au
http://www.ogtr.gov.au
Topics
Species
