Basic Requirements for Work with Genetically Modified Organisms

There are some basic university requirements for work with genetically modified organisms which are determined by the specific activity class of the work. Please contact your GM biological safety officer (GMBSO) if you need advice on GM risk assessments and controls.

Activity Class 1

The possession or use of class 1 genetically modified organisms is subject to the following requirements.

  1. GM risk assessment
    A GM risk assessment is required for class 1 genetically modified organisms. Complete the appropriate GM risk assessment form.
  2. GM Safety Committee advice and permission
    Class 1 GM risk assessments require permission from the GM Safety Committee (GMSC) before bringing any genetically modified organisms into the University or starting work. The principal investigator (PI) must complete and email the GM risk assessment to the GMBSO for submission to the GMSC. The GMSC will review and advise the PI on the GM risk assessment and may request amendments. The PI must act on the advice and make the requested amendments. The GMSC will approve satisfactory GM risk assessments. The PI may then commence the work.
  3. Monitoring
    The PI must monitor the work to ensure that the controls are effective and used by all workers.
  4. Review
    GM risk assessments must be reviewed and amended immediately where there are any changes to the activity or the risks. There are various aspects of the GM risk assessment which may require amendment including changes to the project, hosts, vectors, gene material or genetically modified organisms, personnel working on the project, location with details of the building and room numbers and closing date. The GMSC will approve satisfactory GM risk assessments. The PI may then commence the work.
  5. Records
    The PI must keep all GM risk assessments including all revised versions and other relevant records. Please keep electronic versions of all records.


Activity Class 2

The possession or use of class 2 genetically modified organisms is subject to the following requirements.

  1. GM risk assessment
    A GM risk assessment is required for class 2 genetically modified organisms. Complete the appropriate GM risk assessment form.
  2. GM Safety Committee advice and permission
    Class 2 GM risk assessments require permission from the GM Safety Committee (GMSC) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) before bringing any genetically modified organisms into the University or starting work. The principal investigator (PI) must complete and email the GM risk assessment to the GMBSO for submission to the GMSC. The GMSC will review and advise the PI on the GM risk assessment and may request amendments. The PI must act on the advice and make the requested amendments. The GMSC will provisionally approve satisfactory GM risk assessments. GMSC approval for work to commence will only be issued once HSE permission has been obtained.
  3. HSE notification
    Class 2 GM risk assessments must be notified to the HSE and a fee must be paid by the PI to HSE. The GMBSO will email an HSE CU2 notification form and BACS payment details to the PI. The GMBSO will advise the PI on completion of the form. The GMBSO will email the completed CU2 form and the approved GM risk assessment to HSE. The PI must then pay the fee to HSE by BACS. The HSE may request further information about the work or request changes to the risk assessment. The GMBSO will inform the PI of all HSE requests and advice and issue the HSE approval once received and the GMSC approval. The PI may then commence the work.
  4. Monitoring
    The PI must monitor the work to ensure that the controls are effective and used by all workers.
  5. Review
    GM risk assessments must be reviewed and amended immediately where there are any changes to the activity or the risks. There are various aspects of the GM risk assessment which may require amendment including changes to the project, hosts, vectors, gene material or genetically modified organisms, personnel working on the project, location with details of the building and room numbers and closing date. The GMSC will approve satisfactory GM risk assessments. The GMBSO will notify any significant changes to the project or risks to HSE. The GMBSO will inform the PI of all HSE requests and advice and issue the HSE approval once received and the GMSC approval. The PI may then commence the work.
  6. Records
    The PI must keep all GM risk assessments including all revised versions and other relevant records. Please keep electronic versions of all records.


Activity Class 3

The possession or use of class 3 genetically modified organisms is subject to the following requirements.

  1. GM risk assessment
    A GM risk assessment is required for class 3 genetically modified organisms. Complete the appropriate GM risk assessment form.
  2. GM Safety Committee advice and permission
    Class 3 GM risk assessments require permission from the GM Safety Committee (GMSC) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) before bringing any genetically modified organisms into the University or starting work. The principal investigator (PI) must complete and email the GM risk assessment to the GMBSO for submission to the GMSC. The GMSC will review and advise the PI on the GM risk assessment and may request amendments. The PI must act on the advice and make the requested amendments. The GMSC will provisionally approve satisfactory GM risk assessments. GMSC approval for work to commence will only be issued once HSE permission has been obtained.
  3. HSE notification and consent
    Class 3 GM risk assessments must be notified to the HSE and a fee must be paid by the PI to HSE. The GMBSO will email an HSE CU2 notification form and BACS payment details to the PI. The GMBSO will advise the PI on completion of the form. The GMBSO will email the completed CU2 form and the approved GM risk assessment to HSE. The PI must then pay the fee to HSE by BACS. The HSE may request further information about the work or request changes to the risk assessment. The GMBSO will inform the PI of all HSE requests and advice and issue the HSE approval once received and the GMSC approval. The PI may then commence the work.
  4. Monitoring
    The PI must monitor the work to ensure that the controls are effective and used by all workers.
  5. Review
    GM risk assessments must be reviewed and amended immediately where there are any changes to the activity or the risks. There are various aspects of the GM risk assessment which may require amendment including changes to the project, hosts, vectors, gene material or genetically modified organisms, personnel working on the project, location with details of the building and room numbers and closing date. The GMSC will approve satisfactory GM risk assessments. The GMBSO will notify any significant changes to the project or risks to HSE. The GMBSO will inform the PI of all HSE requests and advice and issue the HSE approval once received and the GMSC approval. The PI may then commence the work.
  6. Records
    The PI must keep all GM risk assessments including all revised versions and other relevant records. Please keep electronic versions of all records.


Activity Class 4

The possession or use of class 4 genetically modified organisms is prohibited in the University.