Brief description of the regulatory framework

MIMARENA (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) is the national competent authority and the entity responsible for organizing, directing and controlling all activities related to modern biotechnology and biosafety in the Dominican Republic. CONABIO (National Biosafety Commission) is in charge of advising MIMAREMA in decision-making processes as well as in the development of activities related to biotechnology safety. In order to grant authorization for the import, manipulation, confinement and release into the environment of GMOs and its byproducts, the authority analyses the results of the relevant risk assessments regarding human health, biodiversity and environment. Risk assessments are conducted by third parties duly accredited by MIMARENA. An environmental impact assessment is also performed.