The rules governing gene-edited plants in the EU—under what are called “new genomic techniques” (NGTs)—have been changed to focus on what the final plant is like genetically, rather than how it was made.

Under the updated framework, gene-edited plants are split into two categories:

NGT-1: Plants with a limited number and type of edits that could have occurred through conventional breeding are treated like conventional plants. NGT-2: Plants with more extensive or complex genetic modifications are covered by the existing strict GMO rules, meaning they face the same core requirements for regulatory review, including risk assessment, authorization, labelling, traceability, and the possibility for member states to restrict or opt out of cultivation.