Gene Technology Act 2003

The regulator has the following functions:

to exercise functions relating to GMO licences under part 5;

to develop draft policy principles and policy guidelines, as requested by the ministerial council;

to develop codes of practice;

to issue technical and procedural guidelines about GMOs;

to provide information and advice to other regulatory agencies about GMOs and GM products;

to provide information and advice to the public about the regulation of GMOs;

to provide advice to the ministerial council about—

the operations of the regulator and the gene technology technical advisory committee; and

the effectiveness of the legislative framework for the regulation of GMOs, including about possible amendments of relevant legislation;

to undertake or commission research about risk assessment and the biosafety of GMOs;

to promote the harmonisation of risk assessments for GMOs and GM products by regulatory agencies;

to monitor international practice for regulating GMOs;

to maintain links with international organisations dealing with the regulation of gene technology and with agencies regulating GMOs in places outside the ACT;

to exercise other functions given to the regulator under this Act or any other law.