Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release into the Environment) Law, 2003 (Law No. 160(I)/2003). Country/Territory Cyprus Document type Legislation Date 2003 Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Efimerida tis Dimokratias No. 3759, Supplement I, Part I, 3 October 2003, pp. 1618-1758. Subject Livestock, Environment gen., Food & nutrition, Cultivated plants Keyword Access-to-information Authorization/permit Biosafety Biosecurity Biotechnology Genetically modified organism (GMO) Internal trade Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Monitoring Certification Food quality control/food safety Packaging/labelling Basic legislation Animal production Plant variety Geographical area Asia, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, Mediterranean, Middle East, Western Asia Entry into force notes The law enters into force on the date of entry of Cyprus into the European Union (1st of May 2004). Abstract The law transposes into national legislation the requirements and principles of E.U. Directive 18/2001/EC and provides for the reception of provisions for the protection of human health and the environment from the liberation in the environment or disposal on the market of genetically modified organisms. The basic provisions of the present law may be summarised in the following: a Scientific Committee on this matter is founded; this Committee shall express advisory judgment to the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment for each related subject that is examined. For the evaluation of environmental risk, the law prescribes specific information to be included in the application for deliberate liberation or for disposal on the market of G.M.O. Specific labelling or accompanying documents are required in the all stages of disposal on the market of G.M.O.s. Product labels must state that genetically modified organisms are contained. The authorization for deliberate release of G.M.O.s shall be in force for five years. After this period the renewal of such authorization is required. The law introduces provisions for infringement of terms of authorization as well as liberation or disposal on the market of genetically modified organisms without authorization, and for extraordinary provisions to be taken in the event of serious risks, that include suspension of the authorization. The public will have access to all information with regard to applications, authorizations and other elements regarding genetically modified organisms. Also, information via web pages as well as obligatory information of the public via public discussion is provided for in the provisions of the law. Full text Greek Website www.cylaw.org