Application for a field trial with genetically modified organisms
- Permit or other obligation
- Nationwide
- Public service
If you are planning a field trial in which living genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are deliberately released into the environment, you must apply for a permit for the experiment from the Board for Gene Technology. The field trial may be, for example, a cultivation test on genetically modified plants or testing a genetically modified vaccine product in a clinical trial.
The Board for Gene Tec ...
Do the following
Read the instructions on the Board for Gene Technology website and prepare the required application. In unclear cases, contact the Secretariat of the Board for Gene Technology.
The application can be submitted to the Board either by post or by e-mail.
To whom and on what terms
The application shall be made for activities which fulfil the definition of "deliberate release into the environment for any other purpose than for placing on the market” in the gene technology legislation.
The application is submitted by the party responsible for the field trial. This operator usually has a legal personality, such as a company or a research institute.
If the trader is established in another EEA state and provides services in Finland on a temporary basis, they are required to have the same permits as the traders established in Finland.
Deadline
The field trial cannot be started until the Board for Gene Technology has granted it a written permission.
Processing time
Be prepared that the processing of your field trial application may take up to 4-5 months.
Period of validity
The permit granted for the field trial is fixed-term.
Background information
Government Decree on Chargeable Performances under the Gene Technology Act in 2024 and 2025 (1245/2023)
Decree of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms (1105/2019)
Government Decree on Gene Technology (928/2004)
Gene Technology Act (377/1995)