Skip to main content

Regulating GM Food in the EU and Ireland

EU Legislation

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (OJ L 268, p1, 18/10/2003) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed.

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 provides the general framework for regulating genetically modified (GM) food in the EU and puts in place a centralised and transparent procedure for applications to place GM food on the EU market. It applies to food containing or consisting of a GMO, in addition to food, or food ingredients produced from a GMO.

Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 (OJ L 268, p24, 18/10/2003) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 concerns the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amends Directive 2001/18/EC.

Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 provides a framework for the traceability of products consisting of or containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and food produced from GMOs, with the objectives of facilitating accurate labelling, monitoring the effects on the environment and, where appropriate, on health, and the implementation of the appropriate risk management measures including, if necessary, withdrawal of products. 

Implementing rules

  • Commission Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the council as regards the application for the authorisation of new genetically modified food and feed, the notification of existing products and adventitious or technically unavoidable presence of genetically modified material which has benefited from a favourable risk evaluation
  • Commission Regulation (EC) No 1981/2006 (OJ L368, p99, 23/12/2006) of 22 December 2006 on detailed rules for the implementation of Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the Community reference laboratory for genetically modified organisms

Amended by: 

Supplementary legislation

  • Commission Regulation (EC) No 65/2004 of 14 January 2004 establishing a system for the development and assignment of unique identifiers for genetically modified organisms
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 of 3 April 2013 on applications for authorisation of genetically modified food and feed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Union and of the council and amending Commission Regulations (EU) No 641/2004 and (EC) No 1981/2006.

National Legislation

European Union (Genetically Modified Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2013 (S.I. No. 268 of 2013)