The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by the report drafted by Gyula HEGYI (PES, HU) and made some amendments to the Commission’s proposal to amend Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms by introducing a reference to the new regulatory procedure with scrutiny. These were designed to expand the list of areas where implementing measures would be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. These areas include the following:
- the establishment of threshold levels for the presence of GMOs in products above which labelling is mandatory (Article 21(3));
- conditions for the implementation of labelling provisions (Article 26(2)).
With regard to safeguard measures, Article 23(2) will now state that, within 60 days of the date of receipt of the information transmitted by the Member State, a decision shall be taken on the measure taken by that Member State. For the purpose of calculating the 60 day period, any period of time during which the Commission is awaiting further information or is seeking the opinion of the Scientific Committee which has been consulted shall not be taken into account. The period of time during which the Commission is awaiting the opinion of the Scientific Committee consulted shall not exceed 60 days. Similarly, the period of time that Council takes to act in accordance with the regulatory procedure shall not be taken into account.
Lastly, the text establishes that technical guidance notes will not be subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny.