The regulations that set out whether or not an organism should be considered ‘genetically modified’ have been updated.

The Environmental Protection Authority called for submissions late last year on some minor proposed changes to these regulations, which are set under the Hazardous Substances and New Organism Act (HSNO).

The Minister for the Environment approved the proposed changes in April this year.

They have now been approved by Cabinet, and the decision has been published in the New Zealand Gazette.

Read the announcement in the New Zealand Gazette​

Clarifying the HSNO regulations

The changes to the HSNO (Organisms Not Genetically Modified) Regulations clarify that conventional chemical and radiation techniques used in New Zealand and overseas for 20 years or more years do not result in genetically modified organisms.

The Regulations were set in 1998, and a High Court case in 2014 highlighted the need for them to be clarified.

The changes to the Regulations also give clarity that organisms resulting from techniques developed after 29 July 1998 are considered to be new organisms.

The EPA regulates ‘new’ organisms

The EPA is responsible for regulating ‘new’ organisms.

The definition of a ‘new’ organism is set out in the legislation, but in general it means plants, animals, and microorganisms that are foreign, or genetically modified.

Learn more about the EPA’s New Organisms work

See the definition of ‘new organism’ in the HSNO Act​

http://www.epa.govt.nz/news/news/Pages/GMO-regulations-clarified.aspx