Federal Law No.9 of 2020 on Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms. Country/Territory United Arab Emirates Document type Legislation Date 2020 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Environment gen., Food & nutrition, Cultivated plants, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Biosafety Biotechnology Genetic resources Internal trade International trade Public health Protection of environment Research Authorization/permit Risk assessment/management Monitoring Liability/compensation Offences/penalties Genetically modified organism (GMO) Biosecurity Basic legislation Packaging/labelling Geographical area Middle East, Near East and North Africa, Persian Gulf Entry into force notes This Law enters into force the day after its publication in the Official Gazette. Abstract This Law consisting of 29 articles regulates the import, export, re-export, transit, trading, development, manufacture, production and transfer of food and agricultural products containing 0.9% or more components derived from bioengineering (excluded products containing a Genetically Modified Component at a rate less than 0.9% and GMOs or their manufactured products considered pharmaceuticals for humans and Genetic Modification of humans and human cells). The modification of the percentage is relevant to the Council of Ministers.The Law aims at (i) preserving human health and safety from the risks of GMOs or their products; (ii) ensuring the protection of the environment in the field of development, manufacture, production, transfer or trading of GMOs or their products resulting from Modern Biotechnology; (iii) preserving local genetic resources and biodiversity from the risks of release or introduction of GMOs or their products to the environment; (iv) ensuring control, reduction, elimination of remediation of damages that occur or are likely to occur due to the GMOs or their products; and (v) organising scientific research activities for living GMOs. Main provisions are (i) it is prohibited to import GMOs Organisms or their products without obtaining a permit from the Competent Authority, i.e. the local authority concerned in every Emirate of the State; (ii) the Ministry shall be notified of any GMOs or their products that transit the State before their transit; (iii) prior approval of the Ministry needs to be requested and the permit of the Competent Authority obtained for the export or re-export of GMOs or their products, the same procedure applies upon release of GMOs or their contained use for the purposes of research, development, education and production; (iv) risks related to the use and circulation of GMOs shall be assessed based on scientific grounds, consisting of identifying and describing the source of risk in addition to the assessment of the exposure to the source of risk and description of risk. An information label shall be placed on each shipment and package indicating that they contain GMOs or their products. Notification and response measures are provided for at article 11. Monitoring, control and inspection are the responsibility of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. The Law also deals with civil liability for damage, administrative sanctions, cancellation of prior approvals and permits, and penalties. Full text English/Arabic Website www.moccae.gov.ae