Access and benefit-sharing

Disclosure focus

Disclosure 101-3 applies where an organization utilizes genetic resources for research and development on their genetic or biochemical composition, including through biotechnology, or uses traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources. It does not automatically apply to every purchase or use of biological materials, land-access arrangement, environmental permit or community programme.

The organization must describe the process it uses to ensure compliance with applicable access and benefit-sharing regulations and measures. The process should explain how responsibility is allocated, how the organization identifies provider countries with applicable ABS requirements, how those requirements are integrated into strategies, policies and operational procedures, and what training is provided. Significant instances of non-compliance with ABS laws and regulations are reported under Disclosure 2-27.

The organization must also describe voluntary actions taken to advance access and fair and equitable benefit-sharing that are additional to legal obligations or are undertaken where no applicable ABS regulations and measures exist. Examples can include joint research, training, capacity-building, knowledge sharing, and monetary or non-monetary benefits connected with the utilization of genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge.

The organization can explain how engagement with stakeholders, particularly Indigenous Peoples and local communities, informed these voluntary actions. If it did not undertake any voluntary actions during the reporting period, a brief statement of this fact is sufficient.

Before preparing the disclosure, the organization should identify the genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge used, the purpose of their utilization, the relevant provider countries, and the applicable ABS regulations and measures. General land-use permissions, permits-to-work, ordinary community investments and commercial profit-sharing arrangements should not be presented as access and benefit-sharing unless they are directly connected with the utilization of genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge.

Disclosure 101-3 supplements Disclosure 3-3 and is reported when it is relevant to the organization’s biodiversity-related impacts. Reasons for omission are permitted in accordance with GRI 1.

This LRA educational guidance supports disclosure preparation. For the exact requirements, always refer to the official Global Reporting Initiative source.