The European Parliament and Council' regulation concerning traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and traceability of food produced from genetically modified organisms states that, their aims are to establish a harmonised Community framework for the traceability of products at all stages of placing them on the market. It also states that manufacturers set up systems for identifying the destination and origin of products. Manufacturers will also have to give specified information in order to establish the identity of a product based on the different GMOs which it contains or which it is produced from. As regards the specified information, the proposal provides that unique codes will be assigned to each GMO so that the different GMOs in the products can be identified.

The data must be included with the product at all stages of production and distribution, in order to facilitate the traceability of GMOs, and to facilitate monitoring them. The retention of information to the effect that food is produced from GMOs, throughout the production, will also facilitate the withdrawal of products if necessary and also the labelling of the final product. In addition, it has called for additional resources to be allocated at national level to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the regulation. The Committee also stressed that the costs of the new technology should fall on GM producers and products rather than on the traditional products through 'GM free' labelling. This Directive was adopted by the Commission on 25 July.

Reference: Directive 90/220/EEC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (OJ L 117, 8.5.1990; Bull. 4-1990, point 1.1.79), repealed by Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council: OJ L 106, 17.4.2001; Bull. 3-2001.