About accessing genetic resources | 富山大学　学術研究・産学連携本部

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing: Our duties in scientific research utilizing genetic resources

Japan has ratified the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS), to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since August 20, 2017, which serves as an international rule to meet the third objective of the CBD.

When you wish to bring genetic resources into Japan for your research from outside Japan, you will need to comply with the ABS regulations in the provider country and follow the necessary ABS procedures prior to obtaining the resources. After obtaining the resources properly, you will need to report to Ministry of the Environment of Japan. (*You need to observe other international regulations and laws necessary for import.)

In order to start your research at University of Toyama, You will need to follow the steps as shown below:

(1) Contact Intellectual Property Liaison office prior to accessing the resources.
(You or your faculty members should notify the office in advance when you want to bring the resources into Japan.)
Please contact our office in all circumstances regardless of whether or not you think your resources are subject to the ABS procedures.

(2) When ABS procedures are required, University of Toyama and the research institution of the provider country (counterpart) will conclude a collaborative agreement which includes mutually agreed terms (MAT) regarding benefit-sharing.(Internal committees will review and approve of the collaboration before concluding the agreement.)

(3) You or your faculty member will obtain the prior informed consent (PIC) from the government of the provider country with the help of the counterpart.

(4) After you have completed steps (2) and (3), you may import the resources (or someone may send them to Japan on your behalf).

(5) After you have completed steps (2) and (3), ABS Clearing-House will issue an Internationally Recognized Certificate of Compliance (IRCC). You will need to report to Ministry of the Environment of Japan within 6 months after its issuance.

Contact :Intellectual Property ・Liaison office, Collaboration and Promotion Center for Industry and Academia

Click here for inquiries

*“Genetic resources” means materials of plant, animal, microbial or other origin (including viruses, phages, cell lines, environmental samples, etc.) containing functional units of heredity.

(Note: Since the U.S. is not a party to the CBD, the samples from ATCC, Addgene, or the Jackson Institute, etc. are not subject to the definition.)

*“ABS” means “Access and Benefit-Sharing.” You will be required to share the benefits acquired form your research with your resource provider. Shared benefits can be monetary or non-monetary such as co-authoring papers, training local researchers or students, giving technical training, etc..