Before beginning research involving GMOs, the work must be approved by the Working Environment Authority. The approval of research projects with GMOs is divided into two parts. The first part is a classification of the facilities where the research project will take place and the GMOs will be stored. The Working Environment Authority brings details about a classification to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, if work with genetically modified plants or animals are to be performed in the facilities. The EPA will also be involved in classification for work with GMOs outside an ordinary laboratory and in a pilot plant.
The second part is approval of the research project, which will be performed in the rightfully classified facilities. The Working Environment Authority brings the details of the project to the EPA when genetically modified plants and animals are involved. Further, the EPA also processes the application details in research projects that take place outside an ordinary laboratory, if the project is in a pilot-plant GMO class 2 or higher, or if the research project poses a potential hazard to the environment.
The processes have separate application requirements. A guide on how to notify The Working Environment Authority can be found here.
Classification of Research Facilities
One part of the application for approval of a research project involving GMO concerns the facilities where the research project will take place and the GMO will be stored. These facilities include laboratories, stables, greenhouses, freezers etc. A separate application must be written in accordance to legislation of The Working Environment Authority. Links to their website for guidance on how to fill out the application and the application form can be found below:
The application for classification of genetic engineering facilities
The research project
The other part of the application concerns the activities of the research project that will take place in the approved facilities. Links to The Working Environment Authority's guidance on how to fill out the application and the application form can be found below:
Executive Order on genetic engineering and working environment