Find your way out of the ABS maze: three cases of successful Access and Benefit Sharing compliance

Abstract

Nearly a decade after its entry into force, the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) continues to pose challenges for academics. The diversity of local regulations and the complexity of procedures can make it difficult for researchers to understand how to properly comply with the protocol when working with samples collected in signatory countries. To address this issue, the ABS Support Team at the Makino Herbarium, Tokyo Metropolitan University aims to assist Japanese researchers in navigating ABS procedures during their studies. In this article, we present three cases of successful ABS compliance involving animal and plant samples from strictly regulated countries in Southeast Asia. For each example, we provide detailed information on the procedures followed, the required documents, and the government ministries and departments involved. These examples serve as practical guidance for researchers, helping them better understand the structure and complexity of the ABS procedures and providing advice on how to successfully navigate them.