The Nagoya Protocol, negotiated under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), governs access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use.
Switzerland ratified the Nagoya Protocol on 11 July 2014, and the Ordinance came into force on 1 February 2016. Swiss researchers must therefore take a precautionary approach when accessing these resources in order to determine whether the genetic resources and traditional knowledge to which they wish to gain access fall within the scope of the Nagoya Protocol. The website https://absch.cbd.int/ provides information on domestic regulations concerning access and benefit-sharing, as well as details of national focal points and the relevant national authorities. Access to these resources requires the prior establishment of ‘Prior Informed Consent’ and ‘Mutually Agreed Terms’ agreements. It is important to familiarise yourself with the applicable rules available on the websites below, as failure to comply may result not only in a reputation as a biopirate but also in substantial fines.
Reference websites:
Convention on Biological Diversity,
Federal Office for the Environment
