E-mail:
Country:
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Organization/agency name (Full name):
ABRII
Contact person name:
Gholamreza Salehi Jouzani
Website:
Physical full address:
Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Mahdasht Road, 31535-1897, Karaj, Iran
Phone number:
0098(26)32701132
Fax number:
0098(26)32701132
Country introduction
Summary:
Iran has ratified Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2003. The National Biosafety Law has also been ratified in 2009. The regulations for the National Biosafety Law have been prepared and approved during last ten years. All these laws and regulations deal with Living GMOs (LMOs) and there is no Law for the regulation of the non-living GMOs. All these laws and regulations are accessible at: http://bch.cbd.int/database/results?searchid=622770. Codex principles for the risk analysis of foods derived from modern biotechnology and other guidelines such as the Codex guidelines for the conduct of food safety assessment of foods produced using recombinant-DNA plants and microorganisms are widely accepted and used.
The process for authorization of new LMO release includes comprehensive risk assessment and management analysis. Ministry of Agriculture (Jihade Keshavarzi) is responsible for approval of the release, import, export, transit and use of Agricultural Related LMOs. The requests should be forwarded to: a[email protected]; with a CC to National Focal Point: [email protected]. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety National Focal Point is in charge of all liaison affairs related to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and acts as the contact point for the communications received. The Ministry of Health and Medical Education is in charge with the approval of all LMOs related to food and medicine. Environmental Protection Organization is in charge with the environmental release of LMOs in the wild nature and/or related to the wild organisms. Detailed procedure for authorization of GM food and feed is under preparation.
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:
Article 4 of the National Biosafety Law - Issuance, extension and cancellation of activity licenses for the affairs related to modern biotechnology, while observing the laws related to any authority and biosafety requirements subject to article 3 of this act are entrusted to the competent executive authorities as follows:
A- Ministry of Agriculture Jihad in the affairs related to products of agriculture and natural resources sector;
B- Ministry of Health and Medical Education in the affairs related to the safety and health of foodstuffs, cosmetics, health and medical materials;
C- Department of Environment in the affairs related to wild life and the review of environmental risk assessment based on the scientific documents provided by applicants.
Note- Issuance of approval in return to scientific documents of risk assessment presented by real and legal governmental and non-governmental entities, for release, import, export, and domestic and transboundary movement of all living modified organisms subject to this act are entrusted to executive authorities of paragraphs A and B while observing the paragraph C of this article.
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:
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Agricultural Jihad Ministry
Tehran, Tehran
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
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Ministry of Health and Medical Education- Food & Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration, Fakhrerazi St., Enghelab Ave.
Tehran
Iran (Islamic Republic of), 1314715311
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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:
My country is in the process of developing relevant regulations on stacked events.
Supplemental information on the stacked events:
Production and trade
GM food/feed production:
My country produces GM food or feed only for research purposes.
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 has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation on GM food (i.e., It contains GMO).
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:
31/01/2022
