On Living Genetically Modified Organisms

 

 

LAW OF GEORGIA

ON LIVING GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

 

Section I – General Part

 

Chapter I – General Provisions

 

Article 1 – Objectives of the Law

a) In compliance with the international agreements operating in this area, to declare the territory of Georgia as an area free from living genetically modified organisms in order to protect human life and health as well as to preserve biodiversity and ensure its sustainable use;

b) In accordance with the principles of environmental protection, to ensure the protection of human life and health, and the protection of animals, plants and the environment from the negative influences of living genetically modified organisms;

c) In the area of the use of living genetically modified organisms, to ensure the performance of the duties determined by the Rio de Janeiro Convention on Biological Diversity of 5 June 1992, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Montreal Convention on Biological Diversity of 29 January 2000, as well as the performance of the duties determined by other international agreements of Georgia;

d) To contribute to the availability of information in the area of the use of living genetically modified organisms, as well as to public involvement in the decision-making process;

e) To create a legal basis for conducting scientific studies on living genetically modified organisms.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 2 – Scope of the Law

1. This Law regulates legal relations in the field of the use of living genetically modified organisms (‘the field of genetically modified organisms’).

2. In the field of genetically modified organisms, this Law regulates:

a) the use of living genetically modified organisms;

b) the introduction of living genetically modified organisms into the environment;

c) the placement of living genetically modified organisms on the market;

d) the transportation and transboundary movement of living genetically modified organisms.

3. The following issues do not fall within the scope of this Law:

a) issues related to the placement of genetically modified products on the market;

b) issues related to medicaments (pharmaceutical products) which can represent and/or can include living genetically modified organisms and genetically modified products or their ingredients.

 

Article 3 – Legislation of Georgia in the field of genetically modified organisms

The legislation of Georgia in the field of genetically modified organisms includes the Constitution of Georgia, the international agreements and treaties of Georgia, this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

 

Article 4 – Definition of terms

1. For the purposes of this Law, the terms used herein have the following meanings:

a) living organism – any biological entity capable of replication and/or of transferring of genetic material, including sterile organisms, viruses and viroids;

b) living genetically modified organism (‘genetically modified organism’) – any organism (with the exception of human beings), in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally (by using modern biotechnological methods); this involves an alteration of an organism's genetic material under artificial (in-vitro) conditions by using the method of a direct injection of nucleic acid into the organism's cells or organelles and/or by using the method of merging cells of different organisms with different taxonomic status. These methods make it possible to overcome natural physiological, reproductive or recombination barriers; however, they cannot be brought in under traditional selective and breeding techniques;

c) genetically modified product – a product created through processing genetically modified organisms and/or containing an ingredient of genetically modified organisms, which or separate particles of which lack the ability to reproduce and/or transfer genetic materials;

c ^{​ 1} ) declare as a free zone – in the territory of Georgia, to ban the introduction of genetically modified organisms into the environment, and their placement on the market, as well as their export and import (except where they are imported to be used in a closed system);

d) the use of genetically modified organisms in a closed system – any operation/manipulation for scientific-research or experimental purposes, within an installation, building or other physical structure, held on or related to genetically modified organisms (including receiving, storing and placing them as food waste), which requires the maintenance of special conditions in order to effectively restrict the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment, and avoid its effect on the environment and human health;

e) introduction into the environment – the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment;

f) placement on the market – any activity making genetically modified organisms available to a third person (including final consumers) in return for payments or free of charge, except where genetically modified organisms are intended to be used in a closed system;

g) operator – any natural or legal person who uses genetically modified organisms in a closed system;

h) transboundary movement – export, import, transit or re-export or any movement of genetically modified organisms from a region under the jurisdiction of a definite state into a region under the jurisdiction of another state or through such region, or the movement of genetically modified organisms in a region or through a region which is not under the jurisdiction of any state, on the condition that this type of movement is in the interests of at least two states;

i) biodiversity – the variety of wild animals and plants, and Earth's marine and freshwater ecosystems and ecological complexes, which includes diversity within different species, and between species and ecosystems;

j) Convention on Biological Diversity – the Rio de Janeiro Convention on Biological Diversity of 5 June 1992, which Georgia ratified by the resolution of the Parliament of Georgia of 21 April 1994;

k) Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety – the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Montreal Convention on Biological Diversity of 29 January 2000, which Georgia ratified by Resolution No 305–II ს of the Parliament of Georgia on Georgia's ratifying the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention of Biological Diversity, adopted on 26 September 2008;

l) Biosafety Clearing-House – the clearing-house mechanism for the provision of biosafety information, determined by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which facilitates the exchange of scientific, technical, environmental and legal information and experience on genetically modified organisms between the countries;

m) the Ministry – the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia;

n) the Minister – the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.

2. The terms ‘environment’ and ‘sustainable development’ used in this Law have the meanings provided for by the Law of Georgia on Environmental Protection.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

Law of Georgia No 1696 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

 

Article 5 – Basic principles of regulating the field of genetically modified organisms

1. The basic principles of regulating the field of genetically modified organisms are:

a) the harm prevention principle – the use of genetically modified organisms shall be permitted only if, taking into account the existing level of technological development and existing security measures in Georgia, they are not expected to make a direct or indirect, immediate or long-term influence on the environment, biodiversity and human health;

b) the principle of ensuring security by the state – through legal and regulatory control, financial policy, education, information provision, and other forms determined by the legislation of Georgia, within their competence, state bodies shall ensure control over genetically modified organisms;

c) the principle of bioethics – together with guaranteeing the well-being of people, a decision-making process in the field of genetically modified organisms shall involve consideration of the necessity of ensuring security for all other living organisms, the environment, and biodiversity, as well as the cultural environment;

d) (deleted – 2.3.2016, No 4799);

e) the precautionary principle – in the process of exercising state control in the field of genetically modified organisms, the absence of complete scientific research shall not result in omitting to take effective economic measures for the purposes of preventing the degradation of the environment;

f) the responsibility principle – violation of the requirements established in the field of genetically modified organisms by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts shall result in the imposition of liability on the violator according to the severity of the violation;

g) publicity and public involvement principle – the public is entitled to receive full and objective information regarding genetically modified organisms, and, in compliance with established rules and procedures, to become involved in the decision-making process in the field of genetically modified organisms.

2. In the course of planning and carrying out activities in the field of genetically modified organisms, an operator shall be guided by the basic principles provided for by the Law of Georgia on Environmental Protection, as well as Food/Feed Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection Code, and the provisions on ensuring a safe environment for human health determined by the Law of Georgia on Health Care and the Law of Georgia on Public Health.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 6 – Competence of Georgia's supreme state authorities and government agencies of the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Ajara in the field of genetically modified organisms

1. In the field of genetically modified organisms, the following activities fall within the competence of Georgia's Supreme state authorities:

a) the formulation and implementation of a united state policy and strategy;

b) the organisation of a united system for regulating genetically modified organisms;

c) the imposition of state supervision over the fulfilment of the requirements of the legislation of Georgia;

d) the fulfilment of obligations and the establishment of cooperation as determined by the international agreements and treaties of Georgia;

e) the performance of other functions as determined by the legislation of Georgia.

2. (Deleted – 2.3.2016, No 4799).

3. The competence of the state bodies of Abkhazia and Ajara in the field of genetically modified organisms is determined by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Section II – Main Part

 

Chapter II – Regulating the Field of Genetically Modified Organisms

 

Article 7 – Performance of activities in the field of genetically modified organisms

1. Genetically modified organisms shall not be introduced into the environment in the territory of Georgia. Violation of the above requirement shall incur liability as provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

2. Genetically modified organisms shall not be placed on the market in the territory of Georgia. Violation of the above requirement shall incur liability as provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

3. The use of genetically modified organisms in the closed system requires a relevant licence issued by the Ministry.

4. A licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system shall be issued according to the procedure established by the General Administrative Code of Georgia, this Law, and the Law of Georgia on Licences and Permits.

5. A licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system does not cancel or change any other requirement or permission/licence to perform relevant activities in the territory of Georgia.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 8 – Coordination of the regulation of the use of genetically modified organisms and provision of common organisational support

1. The coordination of the regulation of the use of genetically modified organisms shall be administered, and common organisational support throughout the territory of Georgia shall be provided, by the Ministry.

2. The Government of Georgia shall establish special requirements for treating genetically modified organisms in a closed system.

3. (Deleted – 2.3.2016, No 4799).

4. (Deleted – 2.3.2016, No 4799).

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Chapter III – Use of Genetically Modified Organisms in a Closed System

 

Article 9 – Use of genetically modified organisms in a closed system

In a closed system, genetically modified organisms shall be used in compliance with the precautionary and harm prevention principles.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 10 – Licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system

1. The use of genetically modified organisms in a closed system requires a licence.

2. In order to obtain a licence provided for by this article, an application (‘application’) shall be submitted to the Ministry in paper form and electronic form. The application shall meet the requirements established by the General Administrative Code of Georgia and the Law of Georgia on Licences and Permits. An application shall be accompanied by:

a) information on the location of the closed system;

b) the identity document of the operator;

c) identity documents of the project supervisor and a certificate of qualification;

d) data on the person responsible for biological safety;

e) the characterisation of the genetically modified organisms;

f) an assessment of the potential threats (risks) that may be posed as a result of the administered activities;

g) the monitoring programme and information on control methods;

h) the emergency (response) scheme in order to avoid and neutralise negative influences on the environment and on human health;

i) the scheme of submitting periodic reports to the controlling bodies (‘the reporting scheme’).

3. A licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system shall be issued if:

a) the documents submitted by an applicant meet the conditions provided for by the legislation of Georgia;

b) grounds for challenging the reliability of an operator and/or other person responsible for safety do not exist;

c) the supervisor of the project and the person responsible for the biological safety are duly qualified to perform their duties;

d) all security measures ensuring the avoidance and elimination of a threat have been taken;

f) all legal norms ensuring the protection of security measures established by the labour legislation of Georgia have been met.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 11 – Administrative procedures

1. Administrative procedures for issuing a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system shall be undertaken by the Ministry on the basis of the General Administrative Code of Georgia, this Law, and the Law of Georgia on Licences and Permits.

2. The Ministry shall examine the compliance of an application with the requirements established by the law. In order to closely examine how carefully the requirements established by the law are met, the Ministry is authorised to require that the applicant submit additional information, if this is necessary to make a relevant decision.

3. (Deleted – 2.3.2016, No 4799).

4. (Deleted – 2.3.2016, No 4799).

5. (Deleted – 2.3.2016, No 4799).

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 12 – Making decisions

1. A decision to grant or withhold a licence for the use of genetically modified organisms in a closed system shall be made by the Ministry within 30 days after receiving an application.

2. A licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system entitles a person to carry out activities determined by this Law in a certain area in compliance with the conditions provided for by the licence and the legislation of Georgia.

3. The decision on granting a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system, introducing changes to it, terminating, renewing or cancelling it shall be made by the Ministry in compliance with the procedures determined by the legislation of Georgia.

4. The form of a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system shall be determined by an order of the Minister.

5. In order to obtain a licence for using living genetically modified organisms in a closed system, an applicant shall pay a licence fee in compliance with the procedures determined by the legislation of Georgia.

6. In the event that a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system has been granted, the licence shall be accompanied, as its integral part, by a monitoring programme initially submitted by the applicant or amended by the issuer of the licence, as well as information regarding the control methods, the precautionary (response) plan and the reporting scheme.

7. Withholding a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system under the pretext of restricting the amount of issued licences is inadmissible, except for the cases provided for by the law.

8. Transferring a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system to another person is prohibited.

9. Compliance with the licence conditions by the holder of a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system is controlled according to the procedures determined by the legislation of Georgia.

 

Article 13 – (Deleted)

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 14 – Taking precautionary measures in the process of using genetically modified organisms in a closed system

1. Genetically modified organisms shall be used in a closed system on condition that the precautionary measures compatible with the existing level of scientific and technological development are taken.

2. Taking into account the existing level of technological and scientific development, the Government of Georgia shall set special requirements for treating genetically modified organisms. The relevant normative act shall determine:

a) organisational and technical safety measures which shall be taken in the process of using genetically modified organisms in a closed system;

b) requirements which shall be met in the process of using genetically modified organisms in a closed system in order to avoid negative influences on the environment.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 15 – Responsibilities of an operator

1. An operator is obliged:

a) to determine security measures compatible with the existing level of scientific and technological development and try to implement them;

b) to gain information with regard to all kinds of security issues from a person accountable for biological safety and from a project manager, and where necessary, take consultations from the Ministry.

2. The appointment of a person responsible for biological safety and of a project manager shall not exempt the operator from the responsibility to fulfil the obligations related to ensuring security imposed on him/her under the legislation of Georgia.

 

Article 16 – Person responsible for biological safety

1. In the process of using genetically modified organisms in a closed system, an operator shall appoint a person with required knowledge and experience in a relevant field to be responsible for biological safety.

2. The person responsible for biological safety shall:

a) provide supervision over the safe use of genetically modified organisms in a closed system and immediately inform the operator and the project manager regarding any fault detected in the course of activities;

b) formulate an emergency (response) scheme and create its implementation mechanisms.

3. The rights and duties of the person responsible for biological safety shall be determined by the internal regulations of an enterprise, which are established by an operator.

 

Article 17 – Project manager

1. In each case of using genetically modified organisms in a closed system, an operator shall appoint a project manager with required knowledge and experience in a relevant field.

2. A project manager shall plan, manage and supervise the course of activities. He/she shall be responsible for:

a) providing persons involved in the process of executing activities with information regarding security measures and risks as well as urgent actions to be taken in order to eliminate those risks;

b) making efforts to implement safety measures.

3. The rights and duties of the project manager shall be determined by the internal regulations of the enterprise, which are established by the operator.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Chapter IV – (Deleted)

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 18 – (Deleted)

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 19 – (Deleted)

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 20 – (Deleted)

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Chapter V – Regulating Transboundary Movements of Genetically Modified Organisms

 

Article 21 – Mechanisms for regulating transboundary movements of genetically modified organisms

Transboundary movements permitted by this Law are regulated by the procedures of predetermined validity determined by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in compliance with the requirements established by this Law.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 22 – Regulating transboundary movements of genetically modified organisms

1. The import of genetically modified organisms in order to introduce them into the territory of Georgia is prohibited.

1 ^{​ 1} . An operator or an importer may not import more than 5 kilograms of genetically modified organisms of the same kind in 1 year for the purposes of using them in one closed system.

2. In the case of import of genetically modified organisms for the purposes of using them in a closed system, the importer shall obtain a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system before carrying out the first intended transboundary movement of these organisms.

3. Before carrying out the first intended transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms for the purposes of using them in a closed system, the importer shall inform the Ministry in written form regarding his/her intention.

4. Within 30 days of receiving the notice specified in paragraph 3 of this article, the Ministry shall examine the compliance of this notice with the requirements provided for by paragraph 2 of this article, and shall inform the submitter of the notice regarding the procedures which are determined by the legislation of Georgia and the fulfilment of which are mandatory in order to obtain initial approval and subsequently to import the genetically modified organisms into the country.

5. The Ministry shall issue approval for transboundary movements of genetically modified organisms, which entitles the importer to import genetically modified organisms for the purposes provided for by the licence.

6. An approval for transboundary movements of genetically modified organisms shall be issued in compliance with simple administrative procedures within a month after submitting a written request, except if approval is issued for the purposes of issuing a relevant licence within administrative procedures, on the basis of the applicant's requirement.

7. Import of genetically modified organisms (except for the cases of importing these organisms for the purposes of using them in a closed system), as well as their re-export, is prohibited. The violation of the above requirement shall incur liability as provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

8. State control and supervision over the compliance with the requirements of importing/re-exporting genetically modified organisms determined by this law is provided by the legal entity under public law called the Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia (the Revenue service). The Revenue Service shall immediately inform law-enforcement agencies about the import of genetically modified organisms (except for the cases provided for by this law, where such organisms are imported for the purposes of being using in a closed system) or their re-export, while in the case of the import of genetically modified organisms in a closed system, the Revenue Service shall inform the Ministry regarding the quantity and manufacturers of the imported genetically modified organisms.

9. Transboundary movements of genetically modified organisms for transit purposes shall not require a licence and shall be carried out on the basis of a preliminary notification filed with the Ministry.

10. A preliminary notification shall be filed with the Ministry by a person carrying out a transit operation. The notification shall include information proving that the genetically modified organisms are being exported in compliance with the legislation of a state to which these organisms are being exported and the requirements by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety have been observed.

11. The Ministry shall examine whether the requirements for transportation of genetically modified organisms determined by this Law have been observed and, within 30 days after receiving a request, the Ministry shall either approve the request or reject it.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 23 – (Deleted)

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Article 24 – State body responsible for the relations with the Biosafety Clearing-House

1. The state body responsible for the relations with the Biosafety Clearing-House determined by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is the Ministry.

2. The Ministry shall provide to the Biosafety Clearing-House the following information determined by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety:

a) according to Article 11(5) and Article 20(1)(a) of the Protocol, information regarding the legislation of Georgia, which regulates the issues related to the use of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;

b) contact details of the body responsible for receiving information regarding the unplanned transboundary movements envisaged in Article 17 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;

c) information regarding bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements and treaties envisaged in Article 20(3)(b) of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;

d) information regarding unplanned and illegal transboundary movements carried out on the territory of Georgia provided for by Articles 17 and 25 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;

e) in accordance with Article 15 and Article 20(3)(c) of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, information regarding an authorised administrative body which issues a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in the closed system within 15 days after making a decision in compliance with Article 11 and Article 20(3)(d) of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;

f) risk assessments and the brief on the results of ecological surveys made by the Ministry;

g) information regarding reconsidering a decision in compliance with Article 12 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

3. The Ministry shall systematize and make the information received from the Biosafety Clearing-House available to the public.

 

Chapter VI – Transportation of Genetically Modified Organisms

 

Article 25 – Safety measures in the process of transportation of genetically modified organisms

1. In the process of the transportation of genetically modified organisms in Georgia, the requirements of the ordinance of the Government of Georgia ‘On the conditions of safety, labelling, packaging and identification in the process of transportation of genetically modified organisms in Georgia’ shall be observed.

2. (Deleted – 2.3.2016, No 4799).

3. In the process of transportation of genetically modified organisms for the purpose of using them in a closed system, the accompanying documents shall include the following information:

a) that the product represents a genetically modified organism, and is being transported in Georgia for the purposes of using it in a closed system;

b) the name, address and other data of the contact person in order to obtain additional information regarding the goods, as well as the name and address of the person to whom the goods are being sent.

4. (Deleted – 2.3.2016, No 4799).

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Chapter VII – Availability of Information in the Field of Genetically Modified Organisms and Public Involvement in Decision-making Process

 

Article 26 – Availability of information in the field of genetically modified organisms

1. Information in the field of genetically modified organisms shall be transparent and available to the public.

2. The availability of information in the field of genetically modified organisms shall be ensured by the legislation of Georgia as well as by international treaties.

3. With regard to the availability of information provided for in this article, the requirements envisaged in Article 3 of the General Administrative Code of Georgia, as well as the provisions of this article, shall be used.

 

Article 27 – Unified registry of living genetically modified organisms

1. The Ministry shall establish the unified registry of living genetically modified organisms, which keeps information regarding genetically modified organisms used in a closed system. Together with a paper-based version of the registry, its electronic version shall also be established, which will be placed on a special website.

2. Within two days after receiving any kind of information in the field of genetically modified organisms, the following information shall be included in the unified registry of living genetically modified organisms:

a) the names and addresses of the persons (in the case of a legal person, the company name and legal form of the business), who have filed an application to the Ministry;

b) information regarding each particular case of issuing a licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system, which shall include a description of the general characteristics of the relevant genetically modified organism, as well as the name of the recipient of the licence;

c) information regarding the place where the genetically modified organism was manufactured, as well as the persons involved in the manufacturing process, the description of the organism and its general characteristics;

d) data regarding the characteristics of the relevant genetically modified organism, its location and the person carrying out operations in the closed system;

e) other data determined by the legislation of Georgia.

3. The unified registry of living genetically modified organisms is a public document. Any person is entitled to inspect the registry in the shortest period of time and, for payment of a charge determined by the legislation of Georgia, receive a copy of the entire registry or of a particular section of the registry.

4. Information deemed to be confidential under the legislation of Georgia shall not be included in the unified registry of living genetically modified organisms.

5. The form of the unified national registry for living genetically modified organisms and the procedures for keeping the registry are determined by an order of the Ministry.

Law of Georgia No 4799 of 2 March 2016 – website, 22.3.2016

 

Chapter VIII – State Control and Supervision in the Field of Living Genetically Modified Organisms and Liability for Violation of the Law

 

Article 28 – State control and supervision in the field of living genetically modified organisms

1. The state bodies authorised to perform state control and supervision in the field of genetically modified organisms are as follows:

a) the Ministry, which:

a.a) in compliance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, fulfils the functions of a state coordinating centre and a competent state body;

a.b) within its scope of competence, carries out state control and supervision in the field of genetically modified organisms;

a.c.) within its scope of competence, and in compliance with the procedures established by this Law and other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia, issues licences for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system;

a.d.) keeps a unified registry of living genetically modified organisms;

b) (deleted – 7.12.2017, No 1696);

c) the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, which:

c.a) carries out customs control over the transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms;

c.b.) performs other functions determined by the legislation of Georgia.

2. State control and supervision in the field of living genetically modified organisms include supervision over:

a) the fulfilment by natural and legal persons of the requirements determined by the legislation of Georgia, and international treaties and agreements in the field of genetically modified organisms;

b) the fulfilment of environmental protection norms and requirements, state standards, sanitary-hygienic norms and rules and veterinary requirements;

c) the objectivity/accuracy of information and reports presented regarding genetically modified organisms;

d) other requirements determined by the legislation of Georgia.

3. In the case of a threat which is or may be posed to the environment or to human health as a direct consequence of activities carried out in the field of genetically modified organisms, in compliance with the procedures determined by the legislation of Georgia, a decision on restricting, terminating or ending these activities shall be made.

4. A decision of the state body responsible for state control and supervision in the field of genetically modified organisms may be appealed in compliance with the procedures determined by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia No 1696 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

 

Article 29 – Liability for violating this Law

Liability for violating this law is determined by the legislation of Georgia.

 

Chapter IX – Indemnification of Damage

 

Article 30 – Legal procedures for regulating indemnification of damage

1. In the field of genetically modified organisms, damage incurred as a result of the activities determined by this Law shall be indemnified in compliance with the procedures on environmental protection provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

2. In the course of activities envisaged in this Law, in case of an encroachment upon a person's right to life or the infliction of harm on a person's health or the environment, liabilities to indemnify damage shall be imposed on the operator. He/she shall be held liable to indemnify the damage which has been incurred by the hazardous features of genetically modified organisms.

3. The imposition of liability shall not exempt the offender from the obligation to indemnify the damage caused as a result of violating this Law, in the established amount and according to the established procedures.

4. Procedures for calculating environmental damage caused by the harmful effects of genetically modified organisms are determined by an ordinance of the Government of Georgia.

5. In order to guarantee the proper performance of their duties to a third person, the operators shall obtain insurance for their business activities in a private insurance company, in compliance with the legislation of Georgia.

6. An operator shall be released from the liability to indemnify the damage if this damage is a direct consequence of civil disorders, wars, natural disasters or other unavoidable circumstances.

 

Article 31 – The principle of subsidiarity

The state shall ensure the reduction and/or elimination of the negative effects of the use of genetically modified organisms, if a person responsible cannot be identified or the elimination and/or reduction of negative consequences is otherwise impossible.

 

Section III – Transitional and Final Provisions

 

Chapter X – Transitional Provisions

 

Article 32 – Normative acts to be adopted in relation to the entry into force of the Law

1. The Government of Georgia shall, not later than 1 January 2015, adopt ordinances on:

a) the Criteria for Defining the Class of Safety for the Use of Living Genetically Modified Organisms;

b) the Conditions of Safety, Labelling, Packaging and Identification in the Process of Transporting Genetically Modified Organisms in the Territory of Georgia;

c) Border Controls upon the Movements of Genetically Modified Organisms Crossing the Border of Georgia;

d) Special Requirements for Treating Living Genetically Modified Organisms;

e) the Procedures for Calculating Environmental Damage from Harmful Effects of Living Genetically Modified Organisms;

f) Expert Methodology, the Form and Principles for Drawing up Expert Conclusions on Potential Negative Effects of Living Genetically Modified Organisms on the Environment, Biodiversity and Human Health;

g) Special procedures for Registering Living Genetically Modified Organisms Marketed and Used in Closed Systems in the Territory of Georgia.

2. Before 1 January 2015, the Ministry shall draw up and approve:

a) procedures for managing databases of experts in living genetically modified organisms and minimum qualification requirements for such experts;

b) the internal regulations and composition of the scientific commission of living genetically modified organisms;

c) a form of licence for the use of living genetically modified organisms in a closed system;

d) the provisions on the unified registry of living genetically modified organisms;

e) a form of request on registering living genetically modified organisms;

f) procedures for referring living genetically modified organisms used in a closed system in Georgia and placed on the market before 1 January 2015, to the unified registry of living genetically modified organisms, as well as the conditions for regulating them.

 

Article 33 – Transitional provisions with regard to genetically modified organisms used in the territory of Georgia before 1 January 2015

1. Within a year from 1 January 2015, genetically modified organisms used in closed systems and marketed in the territory of Georgia before January 1, 2015, shall be included in the unified registry of living genetically modified organisms.

2. The inclusion of genetically modified organisms provided for by paragraph 1 of this article in the unified registry of living genetically modified organisms may not be considered as the issuance of a licence for the use of genetically modified organisms, as determined by this Law, in a closed system.

 

Chapter XI – Final Provisions

 

Article 34 – Entry into force of the Law

1. This Law, except for Articles 1-31 and 33 of this Law, shall enter into force upon its promulgation.

2. Articles 1-31 and 33 of this Law shall enter into force on 1 January 2015.

 

 

President of Georgia                                                    Giorgi Margvelashvili

Kutaisi

18 September 2014

No 2656-I ს