The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is responsible for assessing the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the European Union. EFSA’s role is to provide scientific advice to the European Commission and EU Member States on the potential risks of GMOs to human and animal health, as well as the environment. EFSA evaluates the safety of new GMOs by considering factors such as molecular characterization, comparative analysis, toxicity, and environmental impact. The agency also responds to requests from the European Commission and the European Parliament on GMO-related issues.
To evaluate GMO applications, EFSA experts assess the potential long-term effects of GMOs on human health, animal health, and the environment. The agency also monitors the post-market performance of authorized GMOs through environmental monitoring and risk assessments. EFSA’s guidance documents provide detailed information on how to compile GMO application dossiers and the type of scientific data to include. The agency also publishes all comments and replies from stakeholders online, ensuring transparency in its evaluation process.