THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 90/219/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (1), as last amended by Council Directive 98/81/EC (2), and in particular Article 5 paragraph 2 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) According to Article 5(2) of this Directive, the user is required to carry out an assessment of the contained uses of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs), using as a minimum the principles set out in Annex III supplemented by guidance notes.

(2) Annex III requires that these guidance notes be developed by the Commission in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 21.

(3) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established under Article 21 of Directive 90/219/EEC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

When an assessment of the contained uses of genetically modified micro-organisms is made under Article 5 of Directive 90/219/EEC, the annexed guidance notes for risk assessment shall be used to supplement Annex III of the Directive.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 27 September 2000.

For the Commission
Margot WALLSTRÖM
Member of the Commission

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(1) OJ L 117, 8.5.1990, p.1.
(2) OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p.13.