scope:

The present standard is intended to be used to monitor the environmental effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) based on the provisions of EU Directive 2001/18/EC and Council Decision 2002/ 811/EC. The aim of amphibian monitoring is to detect potentially adverse effects of GMOs and GMO cultivation systems on the environment. This standard describes the species spectrum to be investigated as well as the sampling methods to be used for different species on the study site and the sampling periods and timeframes required. It defines criteria for selecting the breeding sites, which generally are the focal point of amphibian monitoring. The standardisation of sampling methods ensures that the data obtained are reproducible and comparable. The standard stipu-lates requirements for the design, scope and subsequent analysis of the study.

The standard describes in detail methods for determining the potential effects of GMP cultivation on individuals and populations. The use of this standard should ensure that both on-site effects and off-site effects are detected through representative sampling. The prescribed methodology is designed to ensure that the results from these studies can be combined in a meta-analysis and thus made available for further analysis of the effects of GMOs.