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ABS Procedure (PRO)
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published: 27 Sep 2019 last updated: 01 Nov 2023
General information
Description of the ABS Procedure
Procedure to request access permits for the genetic and biochemical elements and resources in Costa Rica, in situ and ex situ, commercial and non commercial
EN
National / Federal
- Organization: Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad (CONAGEBIO) | ABSCH-CON-CR-238564-2 This document has been updated. This is not the latest published version. Click here to view the latest version of the record.
Organization:
Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad (CONAGEBIO)
Frente a la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Fátima, Barrio Los Yoses, San Pedro
Montes de Oca, San José
,
Phone: +506 22248664,
Fax:
Email: melania.munoz@conagebio.com,
Website:
General information about ABS permits is available in www.conagebio.go.cr

User have to request the permit through the CONAGEBIO´s virtual platform. (www.conagebio.go.cr permits / virtual platform)

Requirements are listed in section 7 below 
EN
Procedure to request access permits for the genetic and biochemical elements and resources in Costa Rica (ABS framework)

National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO)
Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE)
Costa Rica
 
U: User
OT: OT-CONAGEBIO
P: Provider
 
1.     U: User registration: Create a user ID and password in the CONAGEBIO virtual platform http://www.conagebio.go.cr/Conagebio/login.xhtml
2.     U: Sign in and fill in required information on the virtual platform: 
  a.     Information about the people involved in the project (this information is saved for future applications).
  b.     Information about the project (basic research, bioprospection or economic utilization).
3.     U: Attach required documents on the platform:
   a.     Project proposal.
   b.     User[1]´s and main researcher(s)´s identity card (Costa Rican) or Passport (foreigner).
   c.      If the User and/or the provider is a legal entity, attach a valid and original legal status certification and a copy of their ID or passport of the legal representative. 
   d.     the event that the User resides abroad, attach a document in which a legal representative, resident in Costa Rica, is designated (the form can be downloaded from the template section of the virtual platform).
   e.     Documents or power of attorney, if needed.
   f.       Submit, if any, the material transfer agreements or contracts subscribed between physical or legal persons, national or foreign, if they foresee access to the country’s genetic or biochemical resources of biodiversity. 
   g.     For basic research or bioprospecting an affidavit must be submitted stating that if there is a change in the purposes of the permit, whether for bioprospecting or economic use, the User must comply with all the requirements established for each case (the form can be downloaded from the template section of the virtual platform).
   h.     In case of access to ex situ collections, include: 
                                                              i.      Code of conduct (the form can be downloaded from the template section of the virtual platform).
                                                            ii.      Permit with which the samples were collected.
4.     U: Include other documents required in case of economic utilization: In case of requesting a permit for economic utilization, in addition to the above, the User must provide:
                                                              i.      Description of the commercial use of the genetic or biochemical resources of biodiversity that are intended to be extracted or associated traditional knowledge. 
                                                            ii.      Financial feasibility study of the product, under the form of an affidavit and certified by an authorized public accountant. In case the User is a foreigner who is not resident in the country, the Public Accountant must be certified internationally. This study should provide the projection for the following five years, valued at market prices, which will include the following data:
 
- Data of the estimated demand over the five year period, to determine income.
- Data of the estimated offer over the five year period, to determine investments and costs.
- Determine the estimated equilibrium point.
- Projected income.
- Projected general financial balance.
- Internal rate of return of investment, net present value, and market discount rate according to capital cost estimated by the Central Bank and/or stock exchange.
- Cost of the process to access the genetic resources and percentage of use in the final product. 
 
5.     OT: Review by OT-CONAGEBIO: OT-CONAGEBIO reviews the technical and legal content of the permit request and informs the user, through the platform, if corrections have to be made.
6.     U: Corrections by the user: the User makes the necessary corrections and sends them to the OT-CONAGEBIO through the virtual platform
7.     OT: Form content approval by OT-CONAGEBIO: the OT-CONAGEBIO approves the content of the application and Technical Guide Forms.
8.     U: Request for Prior Informed Consent (PIC): the User makes the PIC request to the provider. According to national legislation, this PIC includes the mutually agreed terms (MAT) on the distribution of benefits derived from the utilization of genetic or biochemical resources (you can download the sample contract from the template section of the virtual platform). The provider is determined according to the site where the samples will be taken, and is:
  a.     The National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), when samples are collected in Protected Areas, along roadsides, or in rivers, lakes and other wetlands. The PIC must be requested to the corresponding Conservation Area(s).
   b.     The private land owner, when sample are collected  in private properties such as farms or private reserves.
   c.      The head  of the ex situ collection. The legal responsible for the ex situ collection signs the PIC with the User. When samples from these collections were taken after April 18, 2007, the User must also submit a PIC with the original provider of the sample(s), according to the site where samples were collected. If the head of the ex situ collection has a previous PIC with the original provider, for basic research cases, it is not required to sign a PIC between the User and the original supplier. 
   d.     The Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INCOPESCA), when samples are marine elements or resources collected outside Protected  Areas.
  e.     The indigenous people or local communities´ authority. In case of access to genetic or biochemical resources within indigenous people or their associated traditional knowledge[2]. 
9.     P/U: PIC negotiation: the provider of the genetic or biochemical resources negotiates the PIC with the User in accordance with the specific procedure established by each provider. This negotiation includes the mutually agreed terms on the distribution of the benefits derived from the utilization of genetic or biochemical resources. Both parties sign the PIC. In the case of SINAC, INCOPESCA and The National Museum of Costa Rica, the institutions have a maximum of three months to grant the PIC. 
10.U: PIC submission to OT-CONAGEBIO: the User submits the PIC(s) to the OT-CONAGEBIO. If the provider is a physical person, a copy of their ID must be attached; in case it is a legal entity, attach copies of both an up to date and original legal status certification and the ID or passport of the legal representative. If there are several suppliers, it is not necessary to present all the PICs at the same time to obtain the permit. Permits can be granted gradually to access specific sites according to the submission of different PICs. Note: The PIC does not authorize access. The PIC is a requirement for the access permit.
11.OT: Review of the tax situation and Social Security responsibilities: in compliance with the provisions of article 18 Bis of the Law to Improve the Fight Against Tax Fraud, Law No. 9416, OT-CONAGEBIO carries out the consultation in the public system that the Ministry of Finance has provided for such purposes, in order to verify the tax situation of the subjects bound before the General Tax Administration and also the late payment of the Solidarity Tax that supports the Housing Programs (ISO) and the Tax on Legal Entities, in accordance with Law N0. 9428, obtaining information that the parties (User and provider) are up to date on their tax obligations or are not registered in said platforms. Likewise, the OT-CONAGEBIO, in accordance with article 74 of the Constitutive Law of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), consults whether the user and provider are up to date in their obligations or are not registered in said platforms.
12.OT: PIC endorsement: OT-CONAGEBIO endorses the PIC.
13.OT: Drafting of the resolution: OT-CONAGEBIO issues the access permit.
14.OT/U: Notification: the User or a representative must appear at the OT-CONAGEBIO to notify the access permit to the User. The access permit is valid from the business day following its notification. If there is disagreement, the user has 3 business days to present administrative resources.
15.U: Access: the User can materialize the access.
16.OT: Field trips for verification and control: the OT-CONAGEBIO may perform field or laboratory inspections to confirm that the User is complying with the access permit’s resolution requirements.
17.OT: Permit follow-up: OT-CONAGEBIO, through the virtual platform, monitors the commitments acquired by the User with PIC and the access permit’s resolution. The minimum content of the reports can be found in the templates section of the CONAGEBIO virtual platform and Decree 31514 and its reforms.

Notes:

·        The User must present the original document with an authentic signature. For that, the User has two options:

1.     Print the forms and deliver them to OT-CONAGEBIO, with the signatures authenticated by a lawyer. If documents are signed abroad, signatures must be apostilled.

2.     Print the forms, bring them in person to OT-CONAGEBIO and sign them in the presence of one of the officials, who must verify that it is authentic.

•     All documents must be submitted in Spanish
•     If required, the User can request for modification or extension of the access permit, during the period of validity thereof.
•     If User doesn´t have access to the internet to fill in the information on the virtual platform, the forms can be downloaded from the website www.conagebio.go.cr


[1] Physical person or legal entity who formally apply for ABS permit. This person will be the holder and responsible for the permit.[2] Decree 31514. Transitory 2. Knowledge, innovations and practices of the local communities and indigenous peopleAccess permits for basic research, bioprospecting or economic exploitation, involving knowledge, innovations and practices of local communities and indigenous peoples on the utilization of biochemical or genetic resources of biodiversity, will be granted in accordance with those established in Articles 66 and 82 to 85 of the Biodiversity Law and Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, approved by Law No. 7316 of November 3, 1992, published in La Gaceta No. 234 of December 4, 1992. It is important to mention that the regulations on the procedures to access traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities, mentioned in the previous transitory, are in the process of development, therefore, this type of access permits will be granted once norm is published. In addition, the access permits to the genetic and biochemical resources of biodiversity within indigenous territories will be granted until the participatory process is carried out and the authority of the indigenous community that grants the previously informed consent is defined according to article 63 and 65 of the Biodiversity Law.
EN
Does the applicant need to provide any documents
Yes
General requirements:
1.       Registration form
2.       Application and technical guide form
3.       Project proposal
4.       Previously informed consent (CPI) between the applicant and supplier. The previously informed consent and the mutually agreed conditions could be reached and negotiated according to the model contract prepared by the Technical Office of CONAGEBio.
5     User[1]´s and main researcher(s)´s identity card (Costa Rican) or Passport (foreigner).
6.     If the User and/or the provider is a legal entity, attach a valid and original legal status certification and a copy of their ID or passport of the legal representative. 
7.     the event that the User resides abroad, attach a document in which a legal representative, resident in Costa Rica, is designated (the form can be downloaded from the template section of the virtual platform).
8.      Documents or power of attorney, if needed.
9.     Submit, if any, the material transfer agreements or contracts subscribed between physical or legal persons, national or foreign, if they foresee access to the country’s genetic or biochemical resources of biodiversity. 
10.     For basic research or bioprospecting an affidavit must be submitted stating that if there is a change in the purposes of the permit, whether for bioprospecting or economic use, the User must comply with all the requirements established for each case (the form can be downloaded from the template section of the virtual platform).
11.       In case of access to ex situ collections, include: 
                                                              i.      Code of conduct (the form can be downloaded from the template section of the virtual platform).
                                                            ii.      Permit with which the samples were collected.


[1] Physical person or legal entity who formally apply for ABS permit. This person will be the holder and responsible for the permit.

Other documents required in case of economic utilization: In case of requesting a permit for economic utilization, in addition to the above, the User must provide:
                                                              i.      Description of the commercial use of the genetic or biochemical resources of biodiversity that are intended to be extracted or associated traditional knowledge. 
                                                            ii.      Financial feasibility study of the product, under the form of an affidavit and certified by an authorized public accountant. In case the User is a foreigner who is not resident in the country, the Public Accountant must be certified internationally. This study should provide the projection for the following five years, valued at market prices, which will include the following data:
 
1. Data of the estimated demand over the five year period, to determine income.
2. Data of the estimated offer over the five year period, to determine investments and costs.
3. Determine the estimated equilibrium point.
4. Projected income.
5. Projected general financial balance.
6. Internal rate of return of investment, net present value, and market discount rate according to capital cost estimated by the Central Bank and/or stock exchange.
7. Cost of the process to access the genetic resources and percentage of use in the final product. 


Notes:

·        The User must present the original document with an authentic signature. For that, the User has two options:

1.     Print the forms and deliver them to OT-CONAGEBIO, with the signatures authenticated by a lawyer. If documents are signed abroad, signatures must be apostilled.

2.     Print the forms, bring them in person to OT-CONAGEBIO and sign them in the presence of one of the officials, who must verify that it is authentic.

•     All documents must be submitted in Spanish

EN
Are there application fees
No
EN
ABSCH-MSR-CR-238616-1 Legislative, Administrative or Policy Measure Ley de Biodiversidad
DISPOSICIONES GENERALES

ARTÍCULO 1.- Objeto
El objeto de la presente ley es conservar la biodiversidad y el uso sostenible de los recursos, así como distribuir en forma justa los beneficios y costos derivados.


ARTÍCULO 2.-Soberanía 
El Estado ejercerá la soberanía completa y exclusiva sobre los elementos de la biodiversidad. 


ARTÍCULO 3.-Ámbito de aplicación 
Esta ley se aplicará sobre los elementos de la biodiversidad que se encuentran bajo la soberanía del Estado, así como sobre los procesos y las actividades realizados bajo su jurisdicción o control, con independencia de aquellas cuyos efectos se manifiestan dentro o fuera de las zonas sujetas a jurisdicción nacional. Esta ley regulará específicamente el uso, el manejo, el conocimiento asociado y la distribución justa de los beneficios y costos derivados del aprovechamiento de los elementos de la biodiversidad. 


ARTÍCULO 4.-Exclusiones 
Esta ley no se aplicará al acceso al material bioquímico y genético humano, que continuará regulándose por la Ley General de Salud, No. 5395, de 30 de octubre de 1973, y por las leyes conexas. 
Tampoco se aplican estas disposiciones al intercambio de los recursos bioquímicos y genéticos ni al conocimiento asociado resultante de prácticas, usos y costumbres, sin fines de lucro, entre los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades locales. 
Lo dispuesto en esta ley no afecta la autonomía universitaria en materia de docencia e investigación en el campo de la biodiversidad, excepto si las investigaciones tuvieren fines de lucro. 


ABSCH-MSR-CR-238618-2 Legislative, Administrative or Policy Measure DECRETO EJECUTIVO Nº 33697-MINAE: Reglamento para el Acceso a los Elementos y Recursos Genéticos y Bioquímicos de la Biodiversidad en condiciones ex situ
CAPÍTULO I
Disposiciones generales
 
Artículo 1º—Ámbito de aplicación. El presente Decreto Ejecutivo se aplicará sobre los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de los componentes de la biodiversidad, ya sean silvestres o domesticados, terrestres, marinos, de agua dulce o aéreos, en condiciones ex situ, ya sea en colecciones de personas físicas o jurídicas, públicas o privadas, ubicadas en cualquier parte del territorio nacional según lo define el artículo 6º de la Constitución Política, o en formas no sistematizadas, según el artículo 5º de este Decreto. Asimismo, este Decreto Ejecutivo tutelará y regulará la protección del conocimiento tradicional asociado y la distribución justa y equitativa de los beneficios derivados del uso de dichos elementos y recursos y/o del conocimiento tradicional.
A partir de la publicación de este Decreto Ejecutivo, el acceso a los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad en condiciones ex situ, deberá ajustarse a este reglamento y a lo establecido por el Decreto Ejecutivo Nº 31514-MINAE en lo que corresponda.


Artículo 2º—Exclusiones. Sin perjuicio de lo dispuesto en el artículo 4º de la Ley de Biodiversidad, se excluyen de la aplicación de este Reglamento, los elementos y recursos de la biodiversidad en condiciones ex situ utilizados como recursos orgánicos, que continuarán regulados por la Ley Forestal Nº 7575 de 13 de febrero de 1996 publicada en La Gaceta Nº 72 de 16 de abril de 1996 y reformas, la Ley de Conservación de la Vida Silvestre Nº 7317 de 30 de octubre de 1992 publicada en La Gaceta Nº 235 de 7 de diciembre de 1992 y reformas, la Ley de Creación del INCOPESCA Nº 7384 de 16 de marzo de 1994 publicada en La Gaceta Nº 62 de 29 de marzo de 1994 y reformas, la Ley de Pesca y Acuicultura Nº 8436 de 1º de marzo de 2005 publicada en La Gaceta Nº 78 de 25 de abril del 2005 y reformas, la Ley de Protección Fitosanitaria Nº 7664 de 8 de abril de 1997 publicada en La Gaceta Nº 83 de 2 de mayo de 1997 y reformas, la Ley de Semillas Nº 6289 de 4 de diciembre 1978 publicada en La Gaceta Nº 7 de 10 de enero de 1979.
También se excluye el intercambio de los recursos genéticos y bioquímicos y el conocimiento asociado resultante de prácticas, usos y costumbres sin fines de lucro, entre los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades locales de conformidad con el artículo 4º de la Ley de Biodiversidad.  
El acceso a elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad animal domesticada, se regulará de conformidad con el Transitorio I de este Decreto Ejecutivo.


Artículo 3º—Autoridad Nacional competente. La CONAGEBIO es la Autoridad Nacional competente para proponer las políticas sobre el acceso a los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad y a su conocimiento asociado, que aseguren la adecuada transferencia científico-técnica y tecnológica, así como la distribución justa y equitativa de los beneficios derivados del acceso.  
La Oficina Técnica de la CONAGEBIO, de conformidad con el artículo 17 de la Ley de Biodiversidad, será la encargada de tramitar, aprobar, rechazar y fiscalizar las solicitudes de acceso a los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad en condiciones ex situ, así como al conocimiento tradicional asociado en los términos del presente Reglamento.
La CONAGEBIO a través de su Oficina Técnica, actuará como Punto Focal en el tema de acceso a los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad y distribución de los beneficios derivados del acceso ante la Secretaría del Convenio sobre Diversidad Biológica.

ABSCH-MSR-CR-238617-3 Legislative, Administrative or Policy Measure DECRETO EJECUTIVO Nº 31514-MINAE: Normas Generales para el Acceso a los Elementos y Recursos Genéticos y Bioquímicos de la Biodiversidad
DISPOSICIONES GANERALES

Artículo 1. Objetivos

Los objetivos de estas normas son:

a) Regular el acceso a los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad y al conocimiento, innovaciones y prácticas tradicionales asociadas.

b) Regular la distribución justa y equitativa de los beneficios sociales, ambientales y económicos derivados del uso de los elementos y recursos bioquímicos y genéticos de la biodiversidad para todos los sectores de la sociedad, con atención especial a las comunidades locales y pueblos indígenas.

c) Tutelar y proteger los derechos intelectuales comunitarios sui generis.

d) Facilitar el acceso a los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad y propiciar el desarrollo de la investigación y tecnología, siempre que estas actividades no pongan en riesgo la sostenibilidad de los recursos ni contravengan los objetivos del Convenio de Diversidad Biológica.

e) Asegurar y facilitar el acceso a las tecnologías y a su transferencia adecuada, efectiva y selectiva, en condiciones justas, favorables y mutuamente convenidas de manera que se mejore la capacidad nacional.

Artículo 2. Ámbito de aplicación

Las normas de acceso se aplicarán sobre los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad, ya sean silvestres o domesticados, terrestres, marinos, de agua dulce o aéreos, in situ o ex situ, que se encuentren en el territorio nacional definido en el Artículo 6 de la Constitución Política, ya sea propiedad público privada. Asimismo, tutelarán y regularán la protección del conocimiento tradicional asociado y la distribución justa y equitativa de los beneficios derivados del aprovechamiento de dichos elementos y recursos.


Artículo 3. Exclusiones

Sin perjuicio de lo dispuesto en el artículo 4 de la Ley de Biodiversidad, se excluye de la aplicación de estas normas, el uso de los elementos de la biodiversidad utilizados como recursos orgánicos, que continuarán regulados por la Ley Forestal, la Ley de Conservación de la Vida Silvestre, la Ley de creación del INCOPESCA, la Ley de Pesca y Cazas Marítimas, y otras leyes especiales.


Artículo 4. Principios para aplicar la normativa

Al aplicar esta normativa, se observarán los principios y criterios establecidos en el artículo 9 de la Ley de Biodiversidad.

Artículo 5. Autoridad Competente

La CONAGEBIO es la autoridad nacional competente para proponer las políticas sobre el acceso a los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad y al conocimiento tradicional autorizado, que aseguren la adecuada transferencia científico-técnica y la distribución justa y equitativa de los beneficios derivados del acceso, por medio de las presentes normas.

La CONAGEBIO contará con una Oficina Técnica de apoyo para, entre otras funciones , de conformidad con el artículo 17 de la Ley de Biodiversidad, tramitar, aprobar, rechazar y fiscalizar las solicitudes de acceso a los elementos y recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad así como el conocimiento tradicional asociado en los términos del presente reglamento.

La CONAGEBIO actuará como Punto Focal en el tema de acceso a los recursos genéticos y bioquímicos de la biodiversidad y distribución de los beneficios derivados del acceso ante la Secretaría del Convenio de Diversidad Biológica.

Para el cumplimiento de sus tareas, la CONAGEBIO podrá designar comités ad hoc como asesores.

  • Access to genetic resources (Article 15 of the CBD)
  • Access
  • Access to genetic resources
  • For commercial use
  • For non-commercial use
  • Benefit-Sharing
  • Mutually agreed terms
  • Monetary benefits
  • Non-monetary benefits
  • ABS legislative, administrative or policy measures
  • Commercial purpose
  • Non-commercial purposes
  • Agricultural sector
  • Academic research
  • Botanical and horticultural sector
  • Identification and taxonomy
  • Food and beverage
  • Industrial biotechnology,
  • Personal care and cosmetics
  • Pharmaceutical sector
  • All types of genetic resources
  • Plants
  • Animals
  • Microorganism
  • Fungi
  • Wild species
  • Domesticated species and/or cultivated species
  • All areas of access of the genetic resource
  • Agricultural areas
  • Forest
  • Inland waters
  • Dry and sub-humid areas
  • Marine and coastal areas
  • Mountains
  • Protected areas
  • Islands
  • Ex-situ
  • Soil and/or water samples
  • Users of genetic resources
Additional Information
To apply for a permit, you must go to www.conagebio.go.cr, then permits and then virtual platform. You must first register yourself and then you can sing in the platform. The first thing to do is to include people (your personal or company data and other researchers involved in the project) and then you can go to permits and create a new project. When you finish filling out all the information you click send to CONAGEBIO, we review the project and likewise, if we have observations you will receive notifications to your email informing you that you should go to the platform to make the required changes. In the same platform you can find, in the template section, the formats you need to fill up and upload in the documents section.. There is also a video tutorials section where you will learn how to use the platform. After all the information is correct you should request a Prior Informed Consent with the providers of the resources. To do this, it is important to know specifically in which areas you will sample 

EN

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