Genetically Modified Organisms (animal and plant)

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) from all containment levels, at whatever scale of activity, and waste contaminated with GMOs must be inactivated before being disposed of as waste.

The Regulations define ‘inactivation’ as ‘the complete or partial destruction of GMOs'…' to provide a high level of protection for humans and the environment’. The choice of inactivation method and the level of kill that must be achieved must be determined by risk assessment and be in line with the risk to humans and the environment (but may include autoclaving or disinfection).

For more hazardous GMOs 100% kill must be achieved.

For lower hazard GMOs, chemical disinfection, sometimes combined with heat treatment or other methods, may be acceptable. Inactivation by chemical disinfection should normally give at least 99.999% kill.

Definition of ‘inactivation’ in Schedule 8, Part I, paragraph 1 of Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000)

If any live GMOs are present in the waste to be disposed this must be justified by the risk assessment, particularly if viability is reduced by less than 99.999%. When deciding on the inactivation process you must consider the form of the waste and the amount, also the method of disposal (eg landfill, controlled water, sewage etc).

It is unlikely that approval will be given for disposal methods, other than incineration, except for the lowest risk GMOs, where the GMO can be shown to have limited survivability in the environment and where no harm will be caused by the disposal.

If users of GMO wish to dispose of untreated, non-inactivated waste, then this can be done by means of a contractor who is registered under the Contained Use Regulations 2000(as they are undertaking a contained use activity (transport and destruction of the GMO).

Once GMO has been inactivated there is no problem as the material no longer falls under these Regulations and becomes Controlled/Directive waste. It would then be necessary to consider whether there are other issues of relevance (hazardous for other reasons etc).

See Legislation

In this section…

Genetically Modified Organisms (animal and plant)

Connect

Stay Informed