Composition and functions

The Board for Gene Technology (GTLK) is the competent authority in Finland regarding the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in accordance with the Gene Technology Act. The Board operates in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

The Government appoints the Board for Gene Technology upon the submission of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for a term of five years. The Board consists of a chairman, a vice chairman and at the most five other members and their deputy members. The members of the Board shall represent at least the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Sufficient expertise on gene technology as well as scientific and ethical matters shall also be represented in the Board. The Board has a secretary general and a secretariat in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

The Board for Gene Technology has the following functions:

The Board acts as the authorising body for the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Finland under the Directives 2001/18/EC and 2009/41/EC (the former Directive 90/219/EEC).
It leads and coordinates the supervision of compliance with the Gene Technology Act.
It acts as the competent authority in transboundary movements of GMOs referred to in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
It prepares statements to be given to other Finnish and international authorities.