*It should be noted that this document was updated and replaced by the 2004 document produced by the European Food Safety Authority, reviewed in BCH record 9746 available at http://bch.biodiv.org/database/record.shtml?id=9746*

This document is for the use of risk assessors and notifiers who intend to apply for the commercial release of genetically modified plants and derived cultivars under existing Community legislation and/or for the commercial authorisation of genetically modified (GM) food or feed, i.e. food or feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified plants.  This document does not cover genetically modified animals, or micro-organisms (including micro-organisms intended for use under containment conditions or medicinal products for human or animal use. The environmental assessment of GM plants used to produce medicinal products or other non-food products (e.g. cotton fibres, flowers) is covered in this document but additional guidance may be required, for example for long lived species such as trees. Issues such as containment or risk management are not within the scope of this document and thus the post-market monitoring of GM crops and derived food and feed is not addressed specifically.