WORLD TRADE
G/TBT/N/NOR/4
4 January 2005
ORGANIZATION
(05-0020)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
Original: English
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1.
Member to Agreement notifying: NORWAY
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):
2.
Agency responsible: Ministry of the Environment
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and web-site
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:
3.
Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X ], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], other:
4.
Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Genetically modified
organisms
5.
Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Draft Regulations
relating to the labelling, transport, import and export of genetically modified organisms.
(6 pages, Norwegian and English).
6.
Description of content: The draft Regulation amends Regulation 1066 of 13 November
1998, which was notified under the TBT Agreement as a draft 28 October 1997
(G/TBT/Notif.97.704).
Transport and import of genetically modified organisms may be carried out without prior
approval when requirements regarding labelling and packaging are fulfilled. Approval is
however required for some organisms representing a risk to health and environment. The
first import of genetically modified organisms shall also be reported to the authorities.
All products consisting of or containing genetically modified organisms have to be labelled.
The labelling requirements do not cover food and feed products. Export of genetically
modified organisms to countries outside the European Economic Area for deliberate release
into the environment is dependent upon prior informed consent.
7.
Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable:
The purpose of these Regulations is to establish conditions enabling the transport and import
of genetically modified organisms without the prior approval required by Section 10, first
paragraph, of the Norwegian Gene Technology Act. Furthermore, the purpose is to secure
labelling of all Genetically Modified Organisms and to implement the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety to the Conventiona on Biological Diversity.
8.
Relevant documents: Act No. 38 of April 1993 relating to the production and use of
genetically modified organisms.
. /.
G/TBT/N/NOR/4
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9.
Proposed date of adoption:
Proposed date of entry into force:
10.
Final date for comments: 28 February 2005
11.
Texts available from: National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax
numbers, e-mail and web-site addresses, if available of the other body:
Spring 2005
Norwegian Ministry of the Environment, PO Box 8013 – Dep, NO-0030 Oslo
Contact person: Ms. Beate B. Ekeberg
Phone: + 47 22 24 58 75
Fax: + 47 22 24 27 56
E-mail: beate.berglund.ekeberg@md.dep.no