This page contains answers to visitors commonly-asked questions about the Platform.

• What is the basis of the safety assessment information shared on this Platform?
  The safety assessment information shared on FAO GM Platform should be based on the principles and guidelines developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Many international expert consultations carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have contributed to the development of the principles and guidelines. Please see Resources section for more information.
• How does the Platform work?
  The FAO GM Foods Platform is freely accessible for those who want to browse the information. Registration is required for those who need to upload information. Only officially nominated Focal Points can register to the Platform. One Focal Point per Codex Member is officially nominated by the respective country through its Codex Contact Point. The nominated Focal Point is then invited to register to the Platform. Once his/her registration has been approved, the Focal Point can start uploading the relevant national data and information to the Platform. All the entries will be reviewed by FAO before they will be online. Please see Resources section for more information.
• What is a OECD unique identifier?
  The FAO GM Foods Platform applies the OECD’s unique identification system for transgenic plants. Unique Identifier is a code of a fixed length of 9 alphanumeric digits for a transformation event derived from recombinant DNA techniques.   It is composed of three elements separated by dashes:  
  - 2 or 3 alphanumerical digits to designate the applicant;
  - 5 or 6 alphanumerical digits to designate the "transformation event"; and
  - One numerical digit as a verification.
  Please consult Revised 2006: OECD Guidance for the Designation of a Unique Identifier for Transgenic Plants for more information.
• Where can I find information about the procedure for safety assessment of GM plants?
  Please refer to the Codex Plant Guideline, entitled “Guideline for the conduct of food safety assessment of foods derived from recombinant-DNA plants (CAC/GL 45-2003, annex III adopted in 2008)
• Does FAO GM Foods Platform deal with feed?
  This Platform is established for Codex Members to share information on safety assessment of foods derived from recombinant-DNA plants authorized in accordance with the Codex Plant Guideline. However countries have opportunity to indicate feed related authorization information.
• I would like to provide a comment/suggest a change to the Platform. How do I proceed?
  Any comments can be send to [email protected]. However, if you are suggesting a change to the Platform, the suggestion should be submitted through your (closest) national Focal Point to have a consensus by all Codex Members. Please discuss your suggestion with your country’s Codex Contact Point to seek a way to obtain the consensus among Codex Members (not Observers).
• Who is responsible for the correctness of the information on safety assessment of foods submitted by countries and published on the Platform?
  Focal Points who have been nominated by the Codex Contact Points are responsible for the correctness of the records that they submit. FAO checks the format of the submitted records. 
• How do I navigate the platform to see data/information I am seeking for?
  Please consult the User Guide available online. If you have any other specific technical questions, contact [email protected].
• Who can upload the information to the FAO GM Foods Platform?
  Only officially nominated Focal Points can upload information to the Platform, after the FAO Content Administrator grants the nominee access to the Platform.