Council Decision

of 3 October 2002

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

(2002/812/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 March 2001 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing Directive 90/220/EEC(1), and in particular Article 13(2)(h) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

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 (hereinafter referred to as GMO), or a combination of such organisms.

(2)

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.

(3)

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.

(4)

The committee set up under Article 30(2) of Directive 2001/18/EC was consulted on 12 June 2002 and has not delivered an opinion on the Commission's proposal for a Decision,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: