Contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMOs). Recast

PURPOSE: to recast Council Directive 90/219/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive 2009/41/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (Recast).

CONTENT: following a first reading agreement with the Parliament, the Council adopted this Regulation which recasts legislation on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms. The codification of Council Directive 90/219/EEC had been initiated by the Commission, when Council Decision 1999/468/EC was amended by Decision 2006/512/EC, which introduced a regulatory procedure with scrutiny for measures of general scope designed to amend non-essential elements of a basic instrument adopted in accordance with the co-decision procedure.

Accordingly, the codification of Directive 90/219/EEC was transformed into a recast in order to incorporate the amendments necessary for the adjustment to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny.

On comitology, the text now states that the Commission is empowered to adopt the amendments necessary to adapt Annexes II, III, IV and V to technical progress, and to adapt Annex II, Part C.

The new elements introduced into this Directive concern only the committee procedures. They therefore do not need to be transposed by the Member States.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 10/06/2009.