Documents
Operational policy NLRDs in alternate facilities - Update September 2019
The purpose of this document is to inform researchers undertaking NLRDs about the Gene Technology Regulator’s (the Regulator’s) operational policy for considering requests to conduct NLRDs in alternate facilities, pursuant to regulation 13(2)(c).
Both the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act) and the Gene Technology Regulations 2001 (the Regulations) require that NLRDs do not involve an intentional release of GMOs into the environment.
Containment of NLRDs is normally achieved by use of a facility certified by the Regulator to the appropriate physical containment level (eg PC1, PC2, PC3 – Regulation 13(2)) and type. In addition, a person may only undertake an NLRD if they do not compromise the containment of the GMO (Regulation 13(1)(h)).
IBCs consider what facilities are appropriate for a dealing when assessing NLRD proposals (Regulation 13B). NLRD proponents should endeavour to foresee facility needs and have them considered by an IBC at this initial stage.