Contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms GMM (amend. Directive 90/219/EEC)

This is the third summary report to be published by the Commission and covers the period 1996-1999. The Commission report is based upon a third series of reports from Member States that were due in September 1999 but only received during a period from October 1999 to November 2000. The contents of these national reports were largely based upon an outline of submitted by the Commission to Member States in an attempt to improve the quality of information and harmonisation of responses. On the whole, national reports were vastly improved in comparison to previous submissions and contained detailed information on relevant issues and experiences concerning both Directive 90/219/EEC and transposition of the amending Directive 98/81/EC into national laws. The main themes dealt with in the report concern an overview of installations and activities of the Member States, classification and risk assessment, notification and approval system, accidents, inspection and enforcement issues, European enforcement project, problems with the interpretation of the provisions, public consultation and information, accident and emergency plans, protection of confidential information and waste disposal in the different Member States. Lastly, the report highlights the progress made by Member States with the transposition of Directive 98/81/EC into national legislation (before 5 June 2000 at the latest). It is interesting to note that at the time of writing this report, Finland, Denmark and Sweden has transposed the amended Directive into national law but the transposition was still on going in the other Member States.�