Article 15 of the Protocol sets out the provisions for Parties to conduct risk assessments of LMOs. It requires that risk assessments be carried out in a scientifically sound manner in accordance to Annex III and taking into account recognized risk assessment techniques.

While the Party considering permitting the import of an LMO is responsible for ensuring that a risk assessment is carried out, it has the right to require the exporter to do the work or to bear its cost. This is particularly important for many developing countries (SCBD, 2003).

The Protocol, therefore, empowers governments to decide whether or not to accept imports of LMOs on the basis of risk assessments. These assessments aim to identify and evaluate the potential adverse effects that an LMO may have on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the receiving environments.