Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 lays down Union procedures for the authorisation and supervision of genetically modified food and feed, including rules for the labelling of such food and feed. That Regulation provides for a scientific evaluation to be carried out on the risks that the genetically modified food or feed may present for human and animal health and, as the case may be, for the environment. It also provides that a genetically modified food or feed must not mislead the consumer or the user and must not differ from the food or feed which it is intended to replace to such an extent that its normal consumption would be nutritionally disadvantageous for humans or animals.

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 provides, in particular, that applications for authorisation are to adequately and sufficiently demonstrate that the genetically modified food and feed satisfy the requirements laid down in that Regulation, in respect of their proposed uses.

The rules laid down in this Regulation should only cover applications concerning genetically modified plants for food or feed uses, food or feed containing or consisting of genetically modified plants and food or feed produced from such plants. Genetically modified plants, for which sufficient experience is available to date, constitute the vast majority of current applications.

The rules laid down in this Regulation should specify the general requirements for the presentation and preparation of applications, namely requirements to provide general and scientific information, including methods for detection, and identification, as well as reference material so as to ensure that applications comply with the conditions laid down in Articles 5, 17 and 30 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

In addition to the general requirements for the presentation and preparation of applications, it is appropriate to provide for specific rules to ensure that the scientific information required in the application adequately and sufficiently demonstrates that the genetically modified food or feed satisfy the requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, in respect of their proposed uses.

It has, however, not been proved possible to define with the necessary precision the level of uncertainties which would require the submission of 90-day feeding studies. In addition, some food and feed assessment bodies of Member States are of the opinion that such study should be performed in all applications for genetically modified plants containing single transformation events. Considering these diverging views, as well as to improve consumer confidence, such studies should be, for the time being, requested in all applications related to genetically modified plants with single transformation events and, where appropriate, on genetically modified plants containing stacked transformation events.

While the rules laid down in this Regulation should be valid for all applications for genetically modified plants, the type and necessity of the studies to evaluate the characteristics and safety of genetically modified food or feed subject to an application may vary, depending on the nature of the genetic modification or of the product. For example, genetic modifications which have negligible impact on the composition of a genetically modified food or feed or highly refined products that may be proven to be identical to products produced from the conventional counterpart require different studies than a product resulting from complex genetic modification aiming to modify its nutritional characteristics.

The requirements laid down in this Regulation regarding the studies which have to be included in an application for authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 should not prevent the EFSA to request, where appropriate, the applicant to supplement the particulars accompanying the application in accordance with Articles 6(2) and 18(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

It is also necessary to define the requirements regarding the submission of additional information related to the safety of the GMO and scientific peer-reviewed literature related to the potential effects on health and on the environment of the products covered by the application.

During the process of the genetic modification of plants and other organisms, marker genes are often used to facilitate the selection and identification of genetically modified cells, containing the gene of interest inserted into the genome of the host organism, among the vast majority of untransformed cells. Such marker genes should be carefully selected. In addition, it is now possible to develop GMOs without the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes. Against this background and in accordance with Article 4(2) of Directive 2001/18/EC, the applicant should therefore aim to develop GMOs without the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes.

The harvest of segregating genetically modified plants (segregating crops) containing stacked transformation events contains various subcombinations of transformation events. In addition, current control procedures do not allow identifying the origin of combinations of transformation events. Therefore, in order to ensure that authorisations are coherent with the products of which the placing on the market is unavoidable and for the feasibility of controls, the applications for genetically modified food and feed from segregating crops should include all subcombinations independently of their origin and not yet authorised.

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 provides that a proposal for post-market monitoring of the use of the genetically modified food or feed shall only be submitted by the applicant where it is appropriate. It is therefore necessary to set out the conditions under which such a proposal should, according to the outcome of the risk assessment, accompany the application. Post-market monitoring should only be considered in cases where, notwithstanding the fact that the safety of genetically modified food and feed has been demonstrated, it is appropriate to confirm the expected consumption, the application of conditions of uses or identified effects. This is for example the case when the genetically modified food or feed has altered nutritional composition or when that its nutritional value differs from the conventional food or feed that it would replace or when there is a likelihood of increased allergenicity due to the genetic modification.

In order to ensure that test methods included in the application are adequate to demonstrate that the food or feed complies with the requirements for authorisation set out in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, they should be carried out in accordance with the present Regulation, or internationally agreed guidelines such as those described by the OECD, when available. To ensure that applications for renewal meet the same standards as regards tests methods, it is appropriate that these requirements also apply to application for renewal of authorisation of GM food and feed.

This Regulation replaces certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 as regards genetically modified plants for food or feed uses, food or feed containing or consisting of genetically modified plants and food or feed produced from genetically modified plants. However, Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 should continue to apply as regards other types of genetically modified products, namely genetically modified animals and genetically modified micro-organisms. Moreover, certain provisions of that Regulation are obsolete. Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 should therefore be amended accordingly.

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 provides that the Commission is to consult the EFSA before establishing implementing rules with regard to the applications for authorisation under that Regulation. The EFSA has been consulted on those rules accordingly.

This Regulation has been drawn up on the basis of current scientific and technical knowledge. Therefore, the Commission should monitor any developments in this field and the publication of new or additional guidance by the EFSA.

This Regulation applies to applications submitted after its entry into force. It is necessary to provide for transitional measures in order to enable the applicants to comply with those rules and for the current applications or the applications close to being submitted to proceed without unnecessary delays.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,