Legal aspects of gathering and using biological material for genetic research

Legal Requirements for Provenience, Transfer, Access and Utilization of Genetic Resources under consideration of the Nagoya-Protocol


The Nagoya Protocol (NP) is an international agreement that entered into force on 12 October 2014. It aims at sharing the benefits resulting from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. The implementation of the Nagoya Protocol went into force across the EU Member States in October 2014 (EU Regulation 511/2014). Germany has implemented the EU Regulation 511/2014, since 1st of July 2016 it is effective.

The requirements for provenience, transfer, access and the utilization of genetic resources (Nagoya Protocol) do also apply for basic scientific research. Data being archived and/or processed by GFBio need to be compliant to the implemented relevant national and international regulations.

Genetic material that was collected prior to December 29, 1993 is not subject of international laws on biodiversity.

General information for scientists

 * The Nagoya-Chart at the right is based on a chart set up by the DSMZ. The diagram intends to guide DFG data producers to check the legal requirements before starting their research study on genetic material.
 * The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides a list of parties incl. individual status of ratification of the Nagoya Protocol
 * For international advice please consult the ABSCH - international platform exchanging information on ABS
 * EU Regulation 511/2014

Information on the National Focal Point and other relevant parties in Germany

 * Germany - Country Profile

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing and ABS National Focal Point Mr. Thomas Ebben Division N II 1, Nature Conservation and Landscape Management Legislation Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) Robert Schumann Platz 3 53175 Bonn, Germany +49 228 99 305 2692 +49 228 99 305 2684 Thomas.Ebben@bmub.bund.de

ABS Competent National Authority Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Konstantinstr. 110 53179 Bonn, Germany +49 228.8491.1311 Nagoya-CNA@bfn.de

Information provided by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (in German)

 * Ergänzender Leitfaden für die Antragstellung von Forschungsvorhaben, die unter das Übereinkommen über die biologische Vielfalt (Convention on Biological Diversity-CBD) fallen

Attention!
Scientists have to check the ABS (Access and Benefit Sharing) requirements before starting their research study. The GFBio data centers and all nature science collections must ask them for permits and appropriate documentation before accepting biological material and data based on that material.