Handling, Transport, Packaging and Identification

Article 18 of the Cartagena Protocol addresses the issue of the handling, transport, packaging and identification of living modified organisms (LMOs).

Paragraph 1 of the Article concerns the safe handling, transport and packaging of LMOs (see FAQ 16). Each Party to the Protocol has the obligation to take necessary measures to require that LMOs be handled, packaged and transported under conditions of safety, taking into consideration relevant international rules and standards.

Paragraph 2 sets out obligations on each Party to take measures to require the identification of LMOs in accompanying documentation. These identification requirements vary depending on the intended use of the LMOs. Accordingly there are different requirements for:

• LMOs intended for direct use as food or feed, or for processing (LMOs-FFP) (subparagraph (a)),
• LMOs destined for contained use (subparagraph (b)), and
• LMOs for intentional introduction into the environment (subparagraph (c)).

What has been done on Paragraph 2?

Paragraph 3 of Article 18 requires the Parties to consider whether there is a need to develop standards on identification, handling, packaging and transport practices and if there is, how these standards should be developed.

What has been done on Paragraph 3?

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