RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SPS/N/USA/15
ORGANIZATION 5September 1995
(95-2556)
Committee onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures
NOTIFICATION
1. Member toAgreement notifying: UNITED STATES
Ifapplicable, name oflocal government involved:
2. Agency responsible: Department ofAgriculture (15)
3. Products covered (tariff item number(s) asspecified innational schedules deposited with
theWTO. ICSnumbers may beprovided inaddition, where applicable): Genetically
engineered plants
4. Title andnumber ofpages ofthenotified document: Genetically Engineered Organisms and
Products; Simplification ofRequirements andProcedures forGenetically Engineered Organisms
(7pages)
5. Description ofcontent: Thisdocument proposes toamend theregulations pertaining to
genetically engineered plants introduced under notification andtothepetition process forthe
determination ofnon-regulated status. Theproposed notification amendments would allow most
genetically engineered plants thatareconsidered regulated articles tobeintroduced under the
notification procedure, provided thattheintroduction meets certain eligibility criteria and
performance standards. TheDepartment isalsoproposing toreduce thefield testreporting
requirements fortrials conducted under notification forwhich nounexpected oradverse effects
areobserved. TheDepartment intends touseguidelines when appropriate toprovide additional
information todevelopers ofregulated articles andother interested persons regarding
procedures, methods, scientific principles, andother factors thatcould beconsidered insupport
ofactions under theregulations pertaining togenetically engineered plants introduced under
notification.
6. Objective andrationale: Tosimplify procedures.
7. Aninternational standard, guideline orrecommendation does notexist [X].
Ifaninternational standard, guideline orrecommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:
8. Relevant documents: 60FR43567, 22August 1995; 7CFR Part340. Willappear inthe
Federal Register when adopted.
9. Proposed date ofadoption andentry intoforce: Tobedetermined.
10. Final date forcomments: 23October 1995
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point [X]oraddress andtelefax number ofother
body: