How does the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 affect the roles of other regulatory bodies?
The legislation operates alongside existing regulatory systems for the regulation of food, therapeutic goods, agricultural and veterinary chemicals and industrial chemicals. Existing regulators still regulate products and/or activities covered by existing legislation whether the products or activities are GM or not GM. However, existing regulators are required to work closely with the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) to harmonise risk assessment on GMOs and GM products. This working arrangement includes the sharing of databases and the requirement for existing regulators to take into account the advice of the GTR when considering applications for GMOs and GM products.
