E-mail:
Country:
Zambia
Organization/agency name (Full name):
National Science and Technology Council
Contact person name:
Christopher Simuntala
Website:
Physical full address:
Curriculum Development centre Building, Haile Selassie Road, Longacres, P.O. Box 51309, LUSAKA. ZAMBIA
Phone number:
+260-211-278316
Fax number:
+260-211-257194
Country introduction
Summary:
The National Biosafety Authority under the Ministry of Higher Education Department of Science and Technology is responsible for regulating genetically modified organisms in Zambia. The National Biosafety Authority is responsible for the implementation of the Biosafety Act no. 10 of 2007. The Authority is responsible for all forms of regulation involving research, development, application, import, export, transit, contained use, release or placing on the market of any genetically modified organism whether intended for use as a pharmaceutical, food, feed or processing, or a product of a genetically modified organism. The National Biosafety Authority ensures that any activity involving the use of any genetically modified organism or a product of a genetically modified organism (GMO) prevents any socio-economic impact or harm to human and animal health, or any damage to the environment, non-genetically modified crop and biological diversity. The Authority sets and implements standards for risk assessment, evaluation and management of any potential risk involving the use of any genetically modified organism or product of a genetically modified organism.
The National Biosafety Authority through the Scientific Advisory committee receives, reviews and decides on all applications involving GMOs.
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 regularly conducts food safety assessment of GM food.
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:
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 not faced any LLP/AP situations in the last 10 years.
Supplemental information on the LLP/AP incidents:
Labelling requirement
Labelling requirement:
My country is in the process of developing regulations/policies on GM food labeling.
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:
30/10/2017
