Nagoya Protocol / Access & Benefit Sharing

The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement that regulates the access to genetic resources (Access) and the balanced and fair distribution of the benefits that result from their use (Benefit Sharing). Since the entry into force on October 12, 2014, the Nagoya protocol contributes to a fair balance of interests between the users of the genetic resources and the country that make them available.

However, since the term “genetic resource” refers to any biological material, the Nagoya Protocol does not only apply to commercial research but also to basic research. Therefore, much of the biodiversity research conducted at the Center for Natural History falls under that same regulation.

Within that complex topic, the Center of Natural History closely adheres to the recommendations of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the consortium of the European Taxonomic Institute (CETAF).

CETAF is a consortium of scientific, non-commercial taxonomic facilities in Europe. As a member, CeNak is committed to the CETAF guidelines (Code of Conduct and Best Practices) regulating the implications of the Nagoya protocol associated with the access to genetic resources and the benefit sharing with the countries of provenance.

The German Science Foundation (DFG) has published practical guidelines on the subject. Scientists are encouraged to follow these guidelines during the planning and implementation of their research projects to make sure that the research conducted is in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol. In addition, contract templates are available that can be used for bilateral contracts in the context of research projects.