Occupational health risks as well as risks for the environment or the general public may occur during work with genetically modified micro-organisms (GMM). Swedish Work Environment Authority (SWEA) is the competent authority for supervision of contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms, both under the Work Environment Act and the Environmental Code.A genetically modified micro-organism is "a micro-organism in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination" (Ordinance SFS 2000:271).
Micro-organisms are "any microbiological entity, cellular or non-cellular, capable of replication or of transferring genetic material" (SFS 2000:271), including for example bacteria, blue-green algae, viruses, viroids, yeast and moulds, micro-algae, protozooae and animal or plant cells in culture.
All contained use of GMM must be risk assessed in advance. Protection measures are chosen with reference to what could happen if GMM would escape from the containment.
Depending on what protection measures that are necessary, the contained use is classified in either one of the categories F, L or R.
A notification or an application for permit must be sent to SWEA, depending on category. The rules are specified in SWEA Provisisions (AFS 2000:5) on contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms.
Other provisions, such as SWEA Provisions (AFS 2005:1) on microbiological work environment risks - infection, toxigenic effect, hypersensitivity, are also applicable.
SWEA has information on contained use of GMM in Swedish 
and a shorter version in English.
SWEA Provisions AFS 2000:5 are also available in English at SWEA's English website.
