Brief description of the regulatory framework

Colombia regulates all GMO-related activities: laboratory research, confined activities, commercial planting and GMO imports. Three Technical Committees issue their recommendations to the relevant National Competent Authority regarding approval of applications for the performance of GMO-related activities. Recommendations are issued after the relevant Committee conducts the OGM biosafety risk assessment set forth in Decree 4525/2005, which regulates Act 740/2002. The three Committees cover the different uses of GMOs: 

• The National Technical Biosafety Committee for GMO use in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, commercial forestry plantations and agroindustry.

• The National Technical Biosafety Committee for GMO use exclusively for environmental purposes.

• The National Technical Biosafety Committee for GMO use exclusively in health and human consumption.