13.3.2015 Official Journal of the European Union L 68/1 (Legislative acts) DIRECTIVES DIRECTIVE (EU) 201 5/412 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 March 2015 amending Directive 2001/18/EC as regards the possibility for the Member States to restrict or prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their territory (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (}), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3), Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (%), Whereas: (1)  Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (*) and Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (%) establish a comprehensive legal framework for the authorisation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which is fully applicable to GMOs to be used for cultivation purposes throughout the Union as seeds or other plant-propagating material (GMOs for cultivation’). (2)  Under that legal framework, GMOs for cultivation are to undergo an individual risk assessment before being authorised to be placed on the Union market in accordance with Annex II to Directive 2001/18/EC taking into account the direct, indirect, immediate and delayed effects, as well as the cumulative long-term effects, on human health and the environment. That risk assessment provides scientific advice to inform the decision-making process and is followed by a risk management decision. The aim of that authorisation procedure is to ensure a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, the environment and consumer interests, whilst ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market. A uniform high level of protection of health, the environment and consumers should be achieved and maintained throughout the territory of the Union. The precautionary principle should always be taken into account in the framework of Directive 2001/18/EC and its subsequent implementation. 3 Pursuant to the conclusions adopted by the Council on 4 December 2008 on Genetically Modified Organisms p y y g (2008 Council conclusions’), it is necessary to look for improvement of the implementation of the legal () OJC54,19.22011,p. 51. () 0] C102,2.4.2011, p. 62. () Position of the European Parliament of 5 July 2011 (OJ C 33 E, 5.2.2013, p. 350) and position of the Council at first reading of 23 July 2014 (O] C 349, 3.10.2014, p. 1).Position of the European Parliament of 13 January 2015 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 2 March 2015. (*) Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 March 2001 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC (O] L 106, 17.4.2001, p. 1). (*) Regulation (EC) No 1829%2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed (OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 1).