THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (1), and in particular Article 20 thereof,

Whereas Annex II to Directive 90/220/EEC contains the information required to be provided in a notification for a deliberate release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs);

Whereas the information requirements for notifications for a deliberate release of GMOs, as set out in Annex II, are very broad in order to apply to all types of GMOs; whereas some of the information is only applicable or appropriate for specific types of organisms;

Whereas, on the basis of the experience gained with the releases of genetically modified higher plants, it is appropriate to adapt Annex II to technical progress by making provision for a sub-Annex specific to higher plants;

Whereas it is therefore appropriate that Annex II should be divided in two sub-Annexes: Annex II A outlining the information required in the notifications concerning releases of GMOs other than higher plants, and Annex II B outlining the information required in the notifications concerning releases of genetically modified higher plants;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the committee provided for in Article 21 of Directive 90/220/EEC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Annex II to Directive 90/220/EEC is replaced by the Annex hereto.

Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 30 June 1994. They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.

When Member States adopt these provisions, these shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference at the time of their official publication. The procedure for such reference shall be adopted by Member States.

This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, 15 April 1994.

For the Commission
Yannis PALEOKRASSAS
Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 117, 8. 5. 1990, p. 15.