About the GMO Panel and the GMO Unit
The Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) provides independent scientific advice on the safety of:
- Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as plants, animals and micro-organisms, on the basis of Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms
- Genetically modified food and feed, on the basis of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed
The Panel carries out risk assessments in order to produce scientific opinions and advice for risk managers. Its risk assessment work is based on reviewing scientific information and data in order to evaluate the safety of a given GMO. This helps to provide a sound foundation for European policies and legislation and supports risk managers in taking effective and timely decisions. The Panel carries out much of its work in the context of authorisation applications, since all GM food and feed products must be evaluated by EFSA before they can be authorised in the EU.
How we work
The Panel works independently, openly and transparently to deliver timely scientific advice of the highest standards to support the policies and decisions of risk managers.
The Panel carries out its work either in response to requests for scientific advice from risk managers or on its own initiative. It frequently sets up Working Groups involving external scientists with relevant expertise to focus on specific matters and help produce scientific opinions. The Panel itself meets regularly in plenary sessions to discuss work in progress and to adopt finalised scientific opinions. Each opinion results from a collective decision-making process with every Panel member having an equal say.
Main areas of activity:
Risk assessment of GM food and feed applications
For any genetically modified organism and derived food or feed to be authorised in the EU, a company must submit an application for authorisation on placing on the market in line with European legislation. In accordance with EU legislation, an independent scientific risk assessment is to be carried out by the GMO Panel to evaluate the safety of the GMO and derived food or feed. The Panel’s independent scientific advice is then used by the Commission and Member States when taking a decision on market approval.
Development of guidance documents
As part of its remit, the GMO Panel produces a number of Guidance Documents to clarify its approach to risk assessment and to ensure transparency in its work. The Guidance Documents also aim to provide the companies with guidance for the preparation and presentation of applications.
Scientific advice in response to ad-hoc requests from risk managers
The GMO Panel responds to ad-hoc requests on issues where risk managers require scientific advice to support the risk management process. For instance, the Panel has provided scientific advice relating to the safety of unauthorised GMOs in the EU and to the ”safeguard clauses” invoked by certain EU Member States to temporarily prohibit the placing on their national market of specific GMOs authorised at EU level.
Self-tasking activities
On its own initiative, the Panel identifies scientific issues related to GMO risk assessment which requires further attention. For instance, the Panel has produced a scientific report on the use of animal feeding trials in GMO risk assessment.
GMO Unit
The GMO Unit provides administrative and scientific support to the work of the GMO Panel and may carry out other projects in EFSA’s remit. The unit may also produce scientific outputs on behalf of EFSA, for instance in response to urgent requests for scientific advice.
