Handling, transport, packaging and identification of
living modified organisms: paragraph 3 of Article 18
The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to
the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,
Recalling paragraph 3 of Article 18 of the Protocol on the consideration
of the need for and modalities of developing standards with regard to identification,
handling, packaging and transport practices for transboundary movements of
living modified organisms,
Noting paragraph 2 of Article 18 provides for rules and standards
regarding identification of living modified organisms,
Recognizing , in light of the complexity of existing rules and
standards, and the relevant work of various international bodies, that there
is a need for further consultations regarding consideration of the need for
and modalities of developing standards with regard to identification, handling,
packaging and transport practices, with a view to creating synergies and
avoiding duplication of efforts,
1. Invites Parties, other Governments and relevant international
organizations to submit, no later than six months prior to the fourth meeting
of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to
the Protocol, views and information on: (i) the adequacy of existing rules
and standards for identification, handling, packaging and transport of goods
and substances to address concerns relating to living modified organisms
that are subject to transboundary movement, and (ii) on gaps that may exist
that may justify a need to develop new rules and standards, or to call upon
relevant international bodies to modify or expand their existing rules and
standards, as appropriate;
2. Requests the Executive Secretary to prepare a synthesis of the
views and information referred to in paragraph 1 above for consideration
at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting
of the Parties to the Protocol;
3. Further r equests the Executive Secretary to continue collaborating
with relevant international bodies and to gather information on existing
rules and standards with a view to making available the information, including
on the experiences of relevant international bodies in the establishment
and implementation of rules and standards relevant to Article 18, at the
fourth and fifth meetings of the Conference of the Parties serving as the
meeting of the Parties to the Protocol.
