In the context of the implementation of Directive 2001/18/EC concerning the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms, the European Commission has presented :
1) a proposal for a Council Decision establishing guidance notes supplementing Annex VII to Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC;
2) a proposal for a Council Decision establishing, pursuant to Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the summary notification information format for notifications concerning the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms for purposes other than for placing on the market. That format should reflect the need to enable the fullest possible exchange of relevant information, presented in a standardised and easily comprehensible manner, without prejudice to the fact that the information thus provided cannot serve as the basis for an environmental risk assessment. The Summary Notification Information Format consists of a Part 1 and a Part 2.
Part 1 applies to products consisting of or containing genetically modified higher plants. The term "higher plants" means plants which belong to the taxonomic group Gymnospermae and Angiospermae. Part 2 applies to products consisting of or containing genetically modified organisms other than higher plants.
3) a proposal for a Council Decision establishing pursuant to Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council the summary information format relating to the placing on the market of genetically modified organisms as or in products. That format should reflect the need to enable the fullest possible exchange of relevant information, presented in a standardised and easily comprehensible manner, without prejudice to the fact that the information thus provided cannot serve as the basis for an environmental risk assessment.
Under Part C of Directive 2001/18/EC, prior notification must be given to the competent national authority of the planned placing on the market of a genetically modified organism (GMO), or a combination of such organisms. That notification comprises, inter alia, a summary of the relevant dossier, which the competent authority must send to the competent authorities of the other Member States and to the Commission, and which the Commission must immediately make available to the public. That summary must be drawn up in accordance with a particular format.
Article 13(2)(h) of the Directive stipulates that the summary notification information format must be drawn up in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 30.
A draft of the measures to be taken has accordingly been submitted for opinion to the committee set up under Article 30 of the Directive. The committee has not delivered an opinion on the proposal. In such a case, Article 30 stipulates that the Commission must forthwith propose to the Council the measures to be adopted and inform the European Parliament thereof. The Council must then act by qualified majority.
If, by the expiry of the time limit, the Council has not adopted the proposed implementing measures or has not indicated itsopposition to the proposed implementing measures, they shall be adopted by the Commission.�