Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

Notification of class 2 activities involving genetic modification of micro-organisms

10.—(1) Subject to the following paragraphs, a person shall not undertake an activity involving genetic modification of micro-organisms in class 2 unless he has submitted a notification to the competent authority informing it of his intention to do so and containing the information specified in Part I of Schedule 6.

(2) Within 10 working days of the competent authority receiving a notification submitted in accordance with paragraph (1), the Executive shall send to the notifier an acknowledgement of receipt.

(3) The competent authority shall ensure that any emergency plan has been prepared.

(4) A person shall not undertake—

(a) for the first time an activity referred to in paragraph (1) at the premises referred to in a notification submitted in accordance with that paragraph unless—

(i) at least 45 days, or such shorter period of time as the competent authority may approve in writing, have elapsed since the date on which the acknowledgement was sent in accordance with paragraph (2) and the competent authority has not within the said period of 45 days or the shorter period of time approved by the competent authority, as the case may be, informed the notifier that he shall not undertake the activity in question, or

(ii) he has received the acknowledgement required by paragraph (2) and consent for activities involving genetic modification in class 3 or 4 has already been granted in respect of the premises to which the notification submitted in accordance with paragraph (1) refers;

(b) for the second or subsequent times an activity referred to in paragraph (1) at the premises referred to in a notification submitted in accordance with that paragraph unless he has received the acknowledgement required by paragraph (2).

(5) Where a person submits a notification in accordance with paragraph (1) in respect of an activity referred to in that paragraph which is not to be undertaken for the first time at the premises referred to in the notification, with the notification that person may request that the competent authority makes a decision whether or not to agree to his undertaking the activity in question.

(6) The competent authority shall make a decision requested in accordance with paragraph (5) within 45 days of the date on which the acknowledgement was sent in accordance with paragraph (2).