Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Report the relocation of genetic engineering work to another approved facility

You can carry out genetic engineering work that has already been approved in another approved facility that you also operate. You must inform the responsible authority of this.

Detailed description

Genetic engineering work is subject to strict safety standards. These are intended to ensure that the organisms used do not come into contact with people or the environment.


The work is divided into four safety levels depending on the risk to health and the environment:

  • Security level 1: no risk
  • Security level 2: low risk
  • Security level 3: moderate risk
  • Security level 4: high risk

Depending on the safety level, you must report genetic engineering work and installations to the responsible authority, register them with the responsible authority or have them approved by the responsible authority.


You must record genetic engineering work at safety level 1. You can carry out genetic engineering work at safety level 2 or 3 in another facility at this safety level that you also operate. You must inform the responsible authority of this.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • The change only affects genetic engineering work at safety levels 2 or 3.
  • Both the genetic engineering work and the genetic engineering facility have already been reported, registered or approved.
  • The change only affects the change of location.
  • You operate the facility yourself in which you want to carry out the genetic engineering work.

Documents required

no

Please note

  • Changes to work at security level 1 do not need to be reported, but merely recorded.
  • Work at security level 4 must always be re-approved.
  • You are committing an administrative offence if you intentionally or negligently fail to make a notification, do so incorrectly or do so late. This can be punished with a fine of up to EUR 50,000.

Deadlines

You must submit the notification before you carry out the genetic engineering work.

Procedure

  • You inform the competent authority that you wish to carry out genetic engineering work in another facility that you also operate.
  • The competent authority will receive and examine your notification. If necessary, the competent authority will request further information from you.
  • You will receive a confirmation and a fee notice.

Processing time

Processing takes approximately 1 to 2 weeks.

Fees

Fees apply. These are based on the Hamburg Environmental Fees Ordinance in its current version.

Legal remedies

This is a notification by you. No legal remedy is provided.

Legal basis

§ 9 paragraph 4a of the Genetic Engineering Act (GenTG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gentg/__9.html

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture

Corporate Environmental Protection

We have a limited number of customer parking spaces. To reserve a parking space, please contact our receptionist by e-mail at zugang@bsw.hamburg.de or by telephone on +49 40 428 40 - 50 50. Our working hours are: Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m , Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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Last updated: 08.02.2026