In some countries the necessary expertise required to carry out risk assessments of LMOs resides in the regulatory agencies and the risk assessments are carried out internally. In such cases, these agencies typically have the option of requesting additional expert input if deemed necessary.
On the other hand, the regulatory frameworks of many other countries call for the establishment of scientific expert panels on an ad hoc basis once a risk assessment has been triggered. In such cases, a CNA assesses what expertise is needed for each specific case and pools together an external team of risk assessors consisting of experts in the relevant scientific fields.
Such an advisory body may contain a pool of experts at the national, regional or international levels, who can be called upon to assist the mandated risk assessor(s) when a need arises. A scientific advisory body allows the CNA to quickly engage the appropriate expertise for a particular risk assessment. In cases when a CNA establishes a team or panel of risk assessors, it typically designates one of the risk assessors to coordinate the risk assessment process.
