On 17 June 2026, the European Parliament approved the new regulation on Assisted Evolution Techniques (AET) , known at Community level as New Genomic Techniques (NGT) .It is the first comprehensive revision of EU GMO rules since 2001 and introduces a simplified regulatory framework for most new plant varieties.
The decision
The Strasbourg Chamber has definitively confirmed the political agreement reached with the EU Council last December, approving the future regulatory framework for new genomic techniques.According to observers, this reform updates rules that have been in place since 2001 and introduces a distinction between new genomic techniques and traditional GMOs , with the aim of encouraging research and development of varieties that are more resistant to climate change, disease and drought.
Two categories, two regulatory regimes
The regulation divides plants obtained with TEA into two categories with very different obligations:NGT 1
It concerns genetic modifications deemed equivalent to those obtainable in nature or through conventional breeding.These varieties will receive regulatory treatment similar to that of traditional plants , but will be properly labeled as "NGT1 Plants" .
However, the labelling obligation will only concern the seed stage : only the seeds will be labelled, no labelling for derived products, neither B2B nor B2C.
NGT 2
It includes broader or more complex genetic modifications , including plants engineered to tolerate herbicides and those developed to produce insecticidal substances, which are a priori excluded from the simplified pathway.For this category , a thorough risk assessment and the need to obtain prior authorisation before marketing remain mandatory , as well as full traceability and labelling throughout the supply chain .
Furthermore, individual Member States retain the right to limit or prohibit its cultivation on their territory.
Patents and access to the seed market
One of the most discussed issues in the negotiations was that of intellectual property.The regulation does not rewrite the European patent system , but introduces new transparency obligations : anyone requesting registration of an NGT-1 plant will have to indicate all pending patent applications or patents already granted related to that variety, information that will flow into a public database that can be consulted by operators.
It also includes a code of conduct for seed companies and safeguards to avoid excessive concentration in the seed market, as well as protecting farmers' right to save and replant seeds.
Within one year of entry into force, the EU Commission will have to publish a study on the impact of patents on innovation, farmers' access to seeds, and the competitiveness of the European seed sector , with any corrective proposals.
Organic: no opening
The regulation closes the door to the use of TEAs in organic farming : NGT 1 and NGT 2 plants cannot be used in organic production. However, a safeguard clause is included for organic farms: the technically unavoidable presence of Category 1 NGT plants will not constitute a violation of organic regulations.Timelines for businesses
The Regulation will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, but most of its provisions will only apply after twenty-four months .Companies therefore have a window of approximately two years to adjust their processes, labeling, and any seed procurement strategies.
What companies need to evaluate now
- Seed producers and nursery gardeners: prepare for the "NGT1" labeling requirements on seed bags and the declaration of related patents for registration in the European public database.
- Farms : monitor the evolution of the supply of NGT1 varieties (more resistant to drought, plant diseases, and heat stress) and evaluate the impact on coexistence with conventional or organic production.
- Organic operators : verify control procedures along the supply chain, given the ban on the use of TEA, despite the tolerance clause for accidental presence.
- Food and feed industry : Please note that there are no labelling requirements for derived food and feed products for NGT1 products, unlike NGT2 products which remain fully traceable.
- Legal and R&D departments : closely monitor the Commission's study on patents, expected within a year of entry into force, which could lead to changes to the framework for licensing and access to genetic material.