Although there is a single, centralised process at European level for authorising genetically modified food and feed, this agency is not competent to deal with environmental and animal feed cases.

According to the definitions laid down in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council, 22 September 2003, on genetically modified food and feed:

Genetically modified food is understood to be food containing, or consisting of GMOs, or has been produced from these.

A genetically modified organism (GMO) for human food is a GMO that can be used as a food, or basic material for the production of food.