Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2011L00992:body:0:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2011L00992
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 43041–46037

by the Regulator to be stored under Part 2 of these guidelines.

NOTE: If any of the above are held in an authorised PC3 or PC4 physical containment facility then Part 2.2 applies.

Restrictions on storage
      2.1.1                  Whole, viable GM animals must not be stored outside of an authorised physical containment facility without permission, in writing, from the Regulator. This restriction does not apply to the sperm, fertilised eggs or embryos of GM animals.

      2.1.2                  Whole, viable GM plants must not be stored outside of an authorised physical containment facility without permission, in writing, from the Regulator. This restriction does not apply to the pollen, seeds, tubers, bulbs, corms or dormant stems of GM plants.

      2.1.3                  GMOs must not be stored in a site that is prone to flooding, storm surges or other natural disasters.

Containment
      2.1.4                  GMOs, including organisms containing GMOs, being stored must be wholly contained inside a sealed, unbreakable primary container.

NOTE: The type of containment necessary to prevent the GMO from being released will vary depending on the type of organism being stored. For example, in the case of plant seeds or tubers the primary container may be a bag that is closed or taped to enable it to maintain its integrity under all reasonably expected requirements of storage. A sealed plastic tube or bottle may be used as the primary container for a culture of micro-organisms.

      2.1.5                  GMOs for which the minimum permitted physical containment level is PC2, must be packed inside a sealed, unbreakable secondary container. In the case of a small storage unit, such as a refrigerator, freezer, or cryogenic storage container, the storage unit is permitted to be the secondary container.

Loss, spill or escape of GMOs during storage
      2.1.6                  In the event of the escape, unintentional release, spill, leak or loss of GMOs from storage:
          * efforts must be implemented as soon as reasonably practicable to locate and/or retrieve the GMOs and return the GMOs to containment or render them non-viable; and
          * the incident must be reported to the Regulator as soon as reasonably practicable.

NOTE: Consideration should also be given to the type of surfaces in the storage unit or room. Ideally they would be smooth, impermeable to water, cleanable, and resistant to damage by the decontamination agents that would be used to decontaminate any spill.

      2.1.7                  GMOs must not be stored unless a supply of decontamination agents effective against the GMOs being stored is readily available for decontamination purposes. All containers of decontamination agents, including any solutions for decontaminating hands, must be labelled with the contents and, where necessary, the expiry date. Decontamination agents must not be used after their expiry date.

NOTE: Consideration should also be given