European Commission Regulation Reform On How NGT Plants Are Being Assessed

On 26 June, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2026/1388 in the Official Journal on plants obtained through certain new genomic techniques (NGTs) and their products, amending Regulation (EU) 2017/625. The regulation aims to modernize the existing legislative framework in light of scientific and technological advances in plant breeding by establishing two distinct authorization pathways for NGT-derived plant products.

Category 1 (NGT-1) covers plants with genetic modifications that could also occur naturally or through conventional breeding. Following a verification procedure, these plants are exempt from GMO legislation and are treated in the same way as conventionally bred crops.

Category 2 (NGT-2) covers plants with more complex genetic modifications or traits, such as herbicide tolerance. These plants remain subject to the existing EU GMO framework and its associated requirements.

NGTs encompass a range of molecular techniques that enable targeted modifications to plant genetic material. These techniques can be used to introduce, remove, or alter specific DNA sequences with a level of precision not achievable through conventional breeding methods. Among the best-known NGTs are genome-editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas.

A central element of the reform is the creation of a dedicated regulatory framework for NGT-derived plants. Instead of automatically subjecting all NGT products to GMO legislation, the new regulation introduces a differentiated approach based on the nature and extent of the genetic modifications involved.