Nagoya Protocol / Access & Benefit Sharing
Nagoya Protocol / Access & Benefit Sharing (ABS)
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 users of the genetic resources and the countries that make them available.
The Nagoya Protocol does not only apply to commercial research but also to basic research. Within that complex topic, the Center of Natural History closely follows 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) with respect to the Nagoya Protocol.
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.
The EU published guidance documents on Access and Benefit Sharing / Nagoya Protocol. These documents contain many useful hints and practical descriptions to help scientists assess their work regarding EU ABS Regulation 511/2014 (Nagoya Protocol). If a study falls within the scope of the EU ABS regulation, the submission of due diligence declarations to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) is mandatory since May 10, 2018.
Regardless of the applicability of the EU ABS Regulation 511/2014, the usual obligations concerning due diligence and documentation remain in place. Information on the country-specific rules and contact data to national competent authorities can be retrieved from the ABS Clearing House. Since 2020 a new ABS / Nagoya Protocol advisory center for academic research has been launched by the BfN with the aim of mutual support with ABS processes in different countries.