Knowing the intended use of the LMO allows the risk assessor to make considerations for factors such as exposure or potential for outcrossing and take into consideration the effects of any changes in the intended use should they occur.

Information regarding the intended use of the LMO may also take into account any new or changed use in comparison to the recipient or parental organism(s), for example, in cases where the recipient or parental organism(s) is a crop for human consumption but the intended use of the LMO is the production of a compound for pharmaceutical or industrial use.

The scale and type of the introduction into the environment, for example, field trials versus commercial releases, and whether or not any risk management strategy is being proposed, may also be relevant when considering the intended use. Many regulatory frameworks, for instance, require that submissions for field trials be accompanied by information on risk management strategies to reduce exposure to the LMO.

Considerations on the intended use may also take into account national and regional experiences with similar organisms, their management and exposure to the environment.