ABSCH Genetic Resources Information Center

NIBR published a book to guide India’s ABS procedures 

NIBR published a book “the Guide for India’s Access and Benefit-Sharing of Biological Resources” on 21 August 2019.

India is rich in biodiversity where it holds high proportions of endemic species. With a view to protect these biological resources, the Indian government has established the Biological Diversity Act 2002 (“the Act”) that provides for prior informed consents and relevant procedures on ABS.

Under the Act, both domestic and foreign researchers and companies shall obtain permission from Indian government prior to access biological resources in India

The guide book covers overviews of access and benefit sharing regimes established by the Indian government and details on how to apply for access permissions and relevant procedures so that Korean companies and researchers can comply with the India’s ABS legislations in practice.  

Additionally, the book demonstrates the persons and activities subject to the access permission, access prohibition, and some biological resources exempted from the permission and document lists to apply for the permission.  

In addition to this book, Genetic Resources Information Center in NIBR has provided other ABS legislations and information on its website (www.abs.go.kr) to support compliance of domestic bio companies.

Dr. Bae, Yeon Jae, President of NIBR said: “We have put all the efforts into raising awareness on the Nagoya Protocol up until now. These efforts will be extended to build capacity of Korean companies and stakeholders that use foreign genetic resources, by giving them ABS related publications including this book and training programs and lectures.