- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As adopted by EU)
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 (Text with EEA relevance)
When the UK left the EU, legislation.gov.uk published EU legislation that had been published by the EU up to IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.). On legislation.gov.uk, these items of legislation are kept up-to-date with any amendments made by the UK since then.
Legislation.gov.uk publishes the UK version. EUR-Lex publishes the EU version. The EU Exit Web Archive holds a snapshot of EUR-Lex’s version from IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.).
There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Commission Regulation (EC) No 641/2004.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed(1), and in particular Articles 5(7), 8(8), 17(7), 20(8) and 47(4) thereof,
After consulting the European Food Safety Authority in accordance with Articles 5(7) and 17(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003,
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 lays down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of genetically modified food and feed and for the labelling of such food and feed.
(2) It is necessary to provide detailed rules concerning applications for authorisations submitted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
(3) In addition, Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 provides that the European Food Safety Authority (the Authority) is to publish detailed guidance to assist the applicant in the preparation and the presentation of the application, concerning notably the information and data to be provided in order to demonstrate that the product complies with the criteria referred to in Articles 4(1) and 16(1) of that Regulation.
(4) In order to ensure a smooth transition to the regime provided by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 transitional measures laid down in that Regulation as regards requests and notifications of products falling within the scope of other Community legislation, should be subject to implementing rules.
(5) It is also necessary to provide detailed rules on the preparation and presentation of notifications of existing products submitted to the Commission under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 as regards products placed on the market in the Community before 18 April 2004.
(6) Such rules should facilitate the task of operators, in preparing applications for authorisations and in the preparation of notifications of existing products, and the Authority in evaluating such applications and verifying such notifications.
(7) The scope of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 includes food which consists of, contains or is produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as genetically modified plants and micro-organisms. Therefore, in the interests of consistency of Community legislation, the scope of the present Regulation should also cover existing food consisting of, containing or produced from genetically modified plants and micro-organisms.
(8) The scope of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 covers feed, including feed additives as defined in Council Directive 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970 concerning additives in feeding-stuffs(2) consisting of, containing or produced from GMOs such as genetically modified plants and micro-organisms. Therefore, the scope of the present Regulation should also cover existing feed, including feed additives consisting of, containing or produced from genetically modified plants and micro-organisms.
(9) The scope of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 does not cover processing aids, including enzymes used as processing aids. Therefore, the scope of the present Regulation similarly should not cover existing processing aids.
(10) Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 provides that detailed rules are to be adopted for implementing the transitional measures for the adventitious or technically unavoidable presence of genetically modified material which has benefited from a favourable risk evaluation. In the interests of consistency of Community legislation those rules should in particular clarify which genetically modified material is covered by such transitional measures and how the 0,5 % threshold is to be applied.
(11) It is necessary for this Regulation to apply as a matter of urgency as Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 applies from 18 April 2004.
(12) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
This chapter provides detailed rules concerning applications for authorisation submitted in accordance with Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 except for those applications covered by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013 (3) .]
Textual Amendments
F1 Substituted by 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 Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulations (EC) No 641/2004 and (EC) No 1981/2006 (Text with EEA relevance).
1.Without prejudice to Article 5(3) and (5) and Article 17(3) and (5) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, and taking into account the guidance of the [F2Food Safety Authority] provided for in Articles 5(8) and 17(8) of that Regulation, applications for authorisation submitted in accordance with Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (the applications) shall comply with the requirements of paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Article and with Articles 3 and 4 of this Regulation.
2.In supplying the information required under Article 5(3)(b) and Article 17(3)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, the application shall clearly identify the products covered by it in accordance with Articles 3(1) and 15(1) of that Regulation. Where the application is limited to either food or feed use, it shall contain a verifiable justification explaining why the authorisation should not cover both uses in accordance with Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
3.The application shall clearly state which parts of the application are considered to be confidential, together with a verifiable justification in accordance with Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. Confidential parts shall be submitted in separate documents.
4.The application shall specify, in supplying the information required under Article 5(3)(c) and Article 17(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, whether the information included in the application may be notified as such to the biosafety clearing house under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (the Cartagena Protocol) approved by Council Decision 2002/628/EC(4).
If the application may not be notified as such, it shall include the information which complies with Annex II to the Cartagena Protocol and which may be notified to the biosafety clearing house by the [F3appropriate authority] as provided in Article 44 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 in a separate and clearly identified document.
5.Paragraph 4 shall not apply to applications concerning only food and feed produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or containing ingredients produced from GMOs.
Textual Amendments
F2Words in Art. 2(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 43(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F3Words in Art. 2(4) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 43(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
1.The application shall include the following:
(a)the monitoring plan referred to in Article 5(5)(b) and Article 17(5)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, F4...;
(b)in supplying the information required under Article 5(5)(a) and Article 17(5)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, a proposal for labelling complying with the requirements of Annex IV to Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(5);
(c)in supplying the information required under Article 5(5)(a) and Article 17(5)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, a proposal for a unique identifier for the GMO in question, developed in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 65/2004(6);
(d)a proposal for labelling F5..., where a proposal for specific labelling is needed in accordance with Article 5(3)(f) and Article (g) and 17(3)(f) and (g) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003;
(e)a description of a method(s) of detection, sampling and event specific identification of the transformation event, as provided for in Article 5(3)(i) and Article 17(3)(i) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation;
(f)a proposal for post-market monitoring regarding the use of the food for human consumption or the feed for animal consumption, as provided for in Article 5(3)(k) and Article 17(3)(k) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, and according to the characteristics of the products concerned, or a verifiable justification to the effect that a post-market monitoring is not necessary.
2.Points (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 1 shall not apply to applications concerning only food and feed produced from GMOs or containing ingredients produced from GMOs.
Textual Amendments
F4Words in Art. 3(1)(a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 44(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F5Words in Art. 3(1)(d) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 44(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
1.Samples of the food and feed and their control samples which are to be submitted in accordance with Article 5(3)(j) and Article 17(3)(j) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 shall be in accordance with the requirements set out in Annexes I and II to this Regulation.
The application shall be accompanied by information concerning the place where the reference material developed in accordance with Annex II may be found.
2.The summary to be provided in accordance with Article 5(3)(l) and Article 17(3)(l) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 shall:
(a)be presented in an easily comprehensible and legible form;
(b)not contain parts which are considered to be confidential.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F6 Deleted by 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 Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulations (EC) No 641/2004 and (EC) No 1981/2006 (Text with EEA relevance).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 18 April 2004.
F7...
Textual Amendments
F7Words in Signature omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 45; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Textual Amendments
F8Word in Annex 1 point 1.A omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 46(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F9Word in Annex 1 substituted (31.12.2020) by The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 46(h); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Textual Amendments
F10Words in Annex 1 point 1.B substituted (31.12.2020) by The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 46(b); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Textual Amendments
F11Words in Annex 1 point 1.C omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 46(c); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Textual Amendments
F12Words in Annex 1 point 1.F omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 46(d); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Textual Amendments
F13Words in Annex 1 point 1.G omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 46(e); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
For a particular material this must include the methods for DNA extraction and the subsequent quantification in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system. In such a case, the whole process from extraction up to the PCR-technique (or equivalent) constitutes a method. The applicant shall provide information about the whole method.
Textual Amendments
F14Word in Annex 1 point 2.B substituted (31.12.2020) by The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 46(f); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
The method shall be event-specific and thus must only be functional with the GMO or GM based product considered and shall not be functional if applied to other events already authorised; otherwise the method cannot be applied for unequivocal detection/identification/quantification. This shall be demonstrated with a selection of non-target transgenic authorised events and conventional counterparts, in the case of GM plants. This testing shall include closely related events, where relevant, and cases where the limits of the detection are truly tested. The same specificity principle must be applied for products that consist of or contain GMOs other than plants.
The method shall be applicable to samples of the food or feed, to the control samples and to the reference material, which is referred to in Articles 5(3)(j) and 17(3)(j) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
The method shall be developed taking the following documents in consideration as appropriate:
General requirements and definitions: draft European standard prEN ISO 24276:2002,
Nucleic acid extraction prEN ISO 21571:2002,
Quantitative nucleic acid based methods: draft European standard prEN ISO 21570:2002,
Protein based methods: adopted European standard EN ISO 21572:2002,
Qualitative nucleic acid based methods: draft European standard prEN ISO 21569:2002.
in the case of an application for authorisation covering a GMO, products consisting of or containing a GMO or products produced from a GMO, the event-specific quantitative detection method of the GM material;
in addition, in the case of an application for authorisation covering products produced from a GMO where the genetically modified material is detectable, the event-specific quantitative detection method in the foods or feeds produced from the GMO.
Scientific basis: An overview of the principles of how the method works, such as DNA molecular biology based (e.g. for real-time PCR) information must be provided. It is recommended to provide references to relevant scientific publications.
Scope of the method: Indication of the matrix (e.g. processed food, raw materials), the type of samples and the percentage range to which the method can be applied.
Operational characteristics of the method: The required equipment for the application of the method shall be clearly mentioned, with regard to the analysis per se and the sample preparation. Further information of any specific aspects crucial for the application of the method shall also be mentioned here.
Protocol: The applicant shall provide a complete optimised protocol of the method. The protocol shall present all the details as required to transfer and apply the method independently in other laboratories. It is recommended to use a protocol template, which can be obtained from the [F9RL]. The protocol shall include details of:
analyte to be tested,
working conditions, instructions and rules,
all the materials needed, including an estimation of their amounts and storage and handling instructions,
all the equipment needed, including not only the main equipment such as a PCR system or centrifuge but also small items such as micropipettes and reaction tubes with an indication of their appropriate sizes, etc.,
all the steps of the operative protocol, clearly described,
instructions for the data recording (e.g. the programme settings or parameters to be included).
The prediction model (or alike) needed to interpret results and to make inferences must be described in full details. Instructions for the correct application of the model should be provided.
Textual Amendments
F15Word in Annex 1 point 3.A substituted (31.12.2020) by The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 46(g)(i); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F16Words in Annex 1 point 3.A omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Genetically Modified Food and Feed (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/705), regs. 1, 46(g)(ii); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
primer pairs tested (in the case of a PCR-based test): justification shall be given of how and why the proposed primer pair has been selected;
stability testing: experimental results from testing the method with different varieties shall be provided;
specificity: the applicant shall submit the full sequence of the insert(s), together with the base pairs of the host flanking sequences needed to establish an event-specific detection method. The [F9RL] shall enter these data in a molecular database. By running homology searches, the [F9RL] will thus be in a position to assess the specificity of the proposed method.
participating laboratories, time of the analysis and outline of the experimental design, including the details about the number of runs, samples, replicates etc.,
description of the laboratory samples (e.g. size, quality, date of sampling), positive and negative controls as well as reference material, plasmids and alike used,
description of the approaches that have been used to analyse the test results and outliers,
any particular points observed during the testing,
references to relevant literature or technical provisions used in the testing.
In view of implementing Articles 5(3)(j) and 17(3)(j) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, the applicant shall, together with the information specified under sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Annex, also provide samples of the food and feed and their control samples of a type and amount to be specified by the [F9RL] for the specific application for authorisation.
The reference material as referred to in Articles 5(3)(j) and 17(3)(j) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 shall be produced in accordance with internationally accepted technical provisions such as ISO Guides 30 to 34 (and more particularly ISO Guide 34, specifying the general requirements for the competence of reference material producers). The reference material shall be preferably certified and, if such is the case, certification shall be done in accordance with ISO Guide 35.
For verification and value assignment, a method that has been properly validated (see ISO/IEC 17025:5.4.5) shall be used. Uncertainties have to be estimated according to GUM (ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement: GUM). Major characteristics of these internationally accepted technical provisions are given below.
reference material (RM): material or substance, one or more of whose property values are sufficiently homogenous and well-established to be used for calibration of an apparatus, the assessment of a measurement method, or for assigning values to materials;
Certified reference material (CRM): reference material, accompanied by a certificate, one or more of whose property values are certified by a procedure which establishes its traceability to an accurate realisation of the unit in which the property values are expressed, and for which each certified value is accompanied by an uncertainty at a stated level of confidence.
GM RM container (bottles, vials, ampoules, etc.) must be tight and contain not less than the stated amount of material,
samples must have appropriate homogeneity and stability,
the commutability of the GM RM has to be assured,
packaging must be appropriate to the purpose,
labelling must be of good aspect and quality.
between-bottle homogeneity must be examined;
any possible between-bottle heterogeneity must be accounted for in the overall estimated RM uncertainty. This requirement applies even when no statistically significant between-bottle variation is present. In this case, the method variation or the actual calculated between-bottle variation (whichever is larger) must be included in the overall uncertainty;
stability must be positively demonstrated by appropriate statistical extrapolation for the GM RM shelf-life to be within the stated uncertainty; the uncertainty related to this demonstration is normally part of the estimated RM uncertainty;
assigned values are valid only for a limited time and must be subject to a stability monitoring.
the methods used for verification and for certification must:
be applied under metrologically valid conditions,
have been properly technically validated before use,
have precision and accuracy compatible with the target uncertainty;
each set of measurements must:
be traceable to the stated references, and
be accompanied by an uncertainty statement whenever possible;
participating laboratories must:
have the required competence for the execution of the task,
be able to achieve traceability to the required stated references,
be able to estimate its measurement uncertainty,
have in place a sufficient and appropriate quality assurance system.
to avoid a posterior degradation, all samples are best stored under conditions designated for the final storage of the GM RM before measurements are started,
otherwise, they must be transported from door to door keeping them at all times under such storage conditions for which it has been demonstrated that there is no influence on the assigned values.
a certificate complemented by a certification report has to be established, containing all information relevant to and needed by the user. The certificate and report must be made available when the GM CRM is distributed,
certified values must be traceable to stated references and be accompanied by an expanded uncertainty statement valid for the entire shelf-life of the GM CRM.
OJ L 270, 14.12.1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1756/2002 (OJ L 265, 3.10.2002, p. 1).
Textual Amendments
F1 Substituted by 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 Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulations (EC) No 641/2004 and (EC) No 1981/2006 (Text with EEA relevance).
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As adopted by EU): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was first adopted in the EU. No changes have been applied to the text.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different versions taken from EUR-Lex before exit day and during the implementation period as well as any subsequent versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation.
The dates for the EU versions are taken from the document dates on EUR-Lex and may not always coincide with when the changes came into force for the document.
For any versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation the date will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. For further information see our guide to revised legislation on Understanding Legislation.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: