Transit and Contained Use

Article 6 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety addresses transit and contained use of living modified organisms (LMOs), noting that the provisions of the Protocol with respect to the advance informed agreement procedure do not apply to LMOs in transit (paragraph 1) or destined for contained use (paragraph 2).

At their ninth meeting (COP/MOP-9), Parties will consider a report from the Compliance Committee which was asked to assess if information that has been submitted to the BCH under contained use is in accordance with Article 6 of the Protocol. Parties will also consider a compilation of information submitted to the BCH by 28 Parties and other Governments addressing practical guidance on specific measures for contained use that effectively limit the contact of LMOs with, and their impact on, the external environment. Click here for the GIC’s views on the proposed elements of a draft decision on contained use at COP/MOP-9.

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety Transit and Contained Use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs)

Oct 18, 2018 - Document
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There exists extensive international, regional and national guidance and regulations for the handling, storage, containment measures, waste management, transport, packaging and identification of biological organisms under contained use, including LMOs, and the majority of Parties have existing provisions regulating the transit and contained use of LMOs already established in their national legislation. As such, the Global Industry Coalition (GIC) considers any new work on these issues under the Cartagena Protocol for Biosafety (Protocol) as duplicative and unnecessary, and likely to create conflicting requirements for countries with national regulations already in place. The GIC therefore supports the draft decision on this issue for consideration at COP/MOP-9 that reminds Parties of their obligations to share information and existing guidance relating contained use of LMOs on the Biosafety Clearing-house (BCH).

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