
Ensuring compliance with the Nagoya Protocol through a digital inspection system
The Nagoya Protocol, adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), is an international agreement that ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. The protocol aims to prevent biopiracy and ensure that countries providing genetic resources receive appropriate benefits, fostering global biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for ensuring Denmark's compliance with the Nagoya Protocol, particularly through the implementation of the EU Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) regulations. These regulations require organizations and institutions utilizing genetic resources to adhere to strict compliance measures, ensuring transparency and legal certainty in their use.
To fulfill these obligations, the Danish EPA needed an efficient system to oversee organizations accessing genetic resources, ensuring compliance with ABS regulations. The primary challenge was establishing structured processes that accurately identified and monitored users of genetic resources, ensured proper due diligence, and facilitated inspections. The Danish EPA required a digital solution to streamline oversight, enhance transparency, and improve enforcement capabilities.