Japan has ratified Nagoya Protocol

Are there any consequences for scientists?
Your research may be seriously impacted, if you use biological resources transferred from overseas into Japan, without adhering to the necessary ABS* procedures. (*please see the reverse side for details)●You may be subject to arrest and prosecution in

In theworst case...

the resource providing country.
●Your research may be suspended or interrupted.
●Your application for some grants will not be accepted.
●Your paper may be rejected by some journals.

You need to be particularly carefulin the following situations:Collecting biological sample
overseas

Biological samples, brought into
Japan, from your home country

Exporting biological samples
from overseas

Receiving or purchasing biologicalsamples from overseas

You need to have permission fromthe government of the resource
providing country for theinvestigation and/or collectionof biological samples.

ABS procedures are necessary forthe transfer of samples to Japan fromyour country, even if such samples
were included in your previous
research materials, while inyour own country.

Organisms are the propertyof the providing country.
You may face criminal
charges, if you export them fromthe providing country, without
proper authorization.

We must pay attention tobiological samples sentby your collaborators
overseas, or foreign-origin
samples purchased in the marketin Japan.

When you utilize biological materials from overseas (the countries outside of Japan, including your own homecountry) for your research, ABS procedures* are required, in compliance with the Convention on Biological
Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol. (*please see the reverse side for details)

Any questions? Please contact theABS Supprot Team for Academia,
National Institute of Genetics.
ABS Support Team for Academia,
National Institute of Genetics

055-981-5831

URLe-mailhttp://idenshigen.jp

abs@nig.ac.jp

National Institute of Genetics,
Research Organization ofInformation and Systems

NationalBioResource
Project2017

What is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and what is the Nagoya Protocol (NP)?
The Conservation of Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international convention established for the following purposes:
1. the conservation of biological diversity
2. the sustainable use of its components
3. the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
The Nagoya Protocol (NP) is a supplementary agreement to the CBD to implement purpose #3, which is referred to as ABS(Access and Benefit Sharing). Among states which are parties to the CBD and NP, organisms are treated as properties of thecountry where they originate, and both countries providing and countries utilizing genetic resources shall share the benefits
arising from utilization of these resources.
Since Japan has ratified the NP, the ABS procedures, outlined below (A-C) have become essential to compliance with the CBD
and the NP.
(A) MOU/MOA (memorandums of understanding/agreement) should be concluded between your and your collaborator’s institutes
in the country providing the genetic resources (providing country). In the MOU/MOA, you should describe the MAT (mutuallyagreed terms for ABS), including benefit sharing (i.e. co-authorship of papers, transferring experimental technology, etc.).
(B) PIC (prior informed consent) should be obtained from the government of the providing country, before studying, acquiring andtransporting samples.
(C) After step (A) and (B), if an IRCC (Internationally Recognized Certificate of Compliance) is acquired from the ABS-Clearing
House (ABS-CH), you should follow the ABS-guideline from Japanese government.
Japan has issued a domestic ABS measures (ABS-guidelines) to secure an accurate and smooth implementation of the NP and,in so doing, contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. (http://www.env.go.jp/english.html)

What is a “genetic resource”?
In CBD, a “genetic resource” is defined as any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin (including viruses), containing
functional units of heredity, which possess actual or potential value.
“Genetic resources” include living or dead organisms and parts thereof, frozen, dried or powdered materials of them, and their
DNA/RNA extracts. ABS procedure are required to transfer those materials from the country of origin into Japan.
In some country, derivatives (naturally occurring biochemical compounds) may be considered as included within the scope of“genetic resources.” (please contact ABS Support Team (abs@nig.ac.jp) for details)

Are the ABS procedures necessary for basic science?
Although basic research normally is not pursued for financial benefit, ABS procedures are necessary to access overseasbiological resources, to observe the requirements of the CBD and NP.
To share the “benefit” arising from the use of genetic resources for basic science, you can offer the counterpart non-monetary
benefits, by sharing research results (i.e. co-authorship of papers), cooperation in education and training, providing lab
equipment and books, or invitations for researchers and students.

What the ABS Support Team can do for you?
Since each country has different laws, regulations and rules for the handling of genetic resources, we often face difficulties incompleting ABS procedures.
The ABS Support Team for academia in National Institute of Genetics is the primary contact point for all the issues involving ABS,
NP and CDB. They will advise and support you in the preparation of documents for MAT/PIC, to access and obtain the genetic
resources overseas, and in constructing an ABS-responsive framework in universities and research institutes.

Before acquiring genetic resources from overseas, pleasecontact the ABS Support Team for academia in NIG!

abs@nig.ac.jp

Questions?
Contact here!