Finally the risk assessment process should involve the relevant external stakeholders including the public as outlined in Article 23 of the Protocol.

In the context of risk assessments of LMOs, stakeholders are all those with an interest or stake in biosafety, i.e. in the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs in the country (UNEP-GEF, 2003).

While there is no direct mention to stakeholder participation in article 15 on Risk Assessment of the Protocol, article 23 requires that Parties consult the public in the decision-making process regarding an LMO.

Determining the extent to which the public and other stakeholders may be involved in the decision-making process is a prerogative of each regulatory framework.

Some countries have a mechanism that enables public participation during the risk assessment and/or decision-making process. For example, one of the CNAs in New Zealand- the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) opens LMO notifications to public consultation on its website.