E-mail:
Country:
Austria
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Federal Ministry of Health
Contact person name:
Bernhard Jank
Website:
Physical full address:
Radetzkystrasse 2, A-1030 Vienna
Phone number:
+43171100644481
Fax number:
Country introduction
Summary:
Austria is a Member State of the European Union, and the regulation of GM foods takes place at EU level. Safety assessments are carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Assessments include a detailed study of potential for toxic, nutritional and allergenic effects. During the evaluation of applications EFSA consults the Competent Authorities of the Member States. Authorisations are issued by the European Commission on an EU-wide basis.
Framework
Regulatory framework:
My country has a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country has competent authority, agency, organization, ministry, department, committee, commission or a system/mechanism that is tasked to conduct or review GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information:
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:
Assessment
GM food safety assessment guidelines:
My country follows the relevant Codex Guidelines or national/regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
Conduct of GM food safety assessment:
My country does not regularly conduct food safety assessment of GM food, but has conducted at least once in the past.
Supplemental information on the implementation:
Stacked events
Regulation of stacked events:
In my country, GM food/feed that contains stacked event(s) is considered as a new product even if all single events that are stacked have already approved.
Supplemental information on the stacked events:
Stacked events are considered as new GMOs, which need to undergo risk assessment similar to parental GM events and obtain regulatory approval, before they can be placed on the market.
Production and trade
GM food/feed production:
My country does not produce any GM food or feed.
GM food/feed imports:
My country allows imports GM food or feed upon authorization.
Supplemental information on the production and trade:
LLP/AP incidents
LLP/AP incidents:
My country has faced LLP/AP situations in the last 10 years.
Supplemental information on the LLP/AP incidents:
The prime example is unauthorized GM papayas from various Asian countries.
Labelling requirement
Labelling requirement:
My country has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation & allows a voluntary and negative labeling on GM food.
Supplemental information on the Labelling requirement:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment
Other relevant documents:
Country information last modified:
26/04/2022
