TheOfficial Website, “Integrated Reporting Service for genetic resources” is open! 

(Main page of “IntegratedReporting Service”)

NIBR announcedthat the online based “Integrated Reporting Service (http://www.abs.go.kr/irs/irs.do)'” is open and start its operation forimplementing the “Act on Access to and Utilization of Genetic Resources andBenefit-Sharing”, which became effective on 18 August 2018.

In accordance withthe Act*, foreigners need to report their access to Korean genetic resourcesfor research and commercialization purpose. Koreans also need to report theirprocedural compliance when they access foreign genetic resources.

* “Where foreigners, overseas Koreans, foreigninstitutions, international organizations, and those other persons designatedby Ordinance of the Ministry of Environment seek access to domestic geneticresource(s) for their utilization, they shall report such access to the head ofthe Competent National Authority, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.” (Article9 of the Act)

* “A person who intends to access foreign geneticresource(s) for their utilization in the Republic of Korea shall report to thehead of the National Checkpoint, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, that theperson has complied with the procedures prescribed in Article 14 (1).”(Article15 of the Act)

NIBR has developedthe “Integrated Reporting Service” to help people easily report their access todomestic and foreign genetic resources to comply with the Act through onlineservice.

There are 6Competent National Authorities* designated by the Act, while the Integrated ReportingService provides a single window to report different types of geneticresources.

*CompetentNational Authorities: Ministry of Environment (Biological resources in thefield of wildlife), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs(Agricultural bio-resource), Ministry of Health and Welfare (Pathogenresources), Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Marine bio-resources), andMinistry of Science and ICT (Biological research resources)

Since 20 August2018, people can access the website and log in to use all the services. One ofwhich is all time checking service that people can check the status of their reportsfor review or correction, and also view the administrative processing status oftheir reports.

The ABS Helpdeskis also provided through the website so that people can both report and askquestions at the same website.

NIBR plans toprovide recent ABS news and global trends on the Nagoya Protocol andlegislation information established by other countries through thiswebsite. 

Mr. Seon-du Choe, Head of Genetic Resources InformationCenter, NIBR said: “We will make compressive efforts to support Korean bioindustry including this online reporting service so that our companies canimplement the Nagoya Protocol with legal certainty and transparency”.