ICC hosts November conference on new EU Access and Benefit Sharing Rules

  • 14 October 2014
Innovation

With the implementation of the new European Union (EU) regulation on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) on 12 October 2014, the ICC Commission on Intellectual Property (IP) will organize a conference to demystify the new measure.

Entitled ‘Working out ABS: preparing to comply with the new Rules on Access and Benefit Sharing’, the conference will discuss the adoption of this new and complex EU regulation, which came into force at the beginning of October, and the significant new obligations it will place on companies and organizations utilizing genetic resources in their research and development. The event will cover topics including compliance, due diligence requirements, user obligations and sanctions.

It will offer a unique forum for companies and organizations to discuss their sectorial challenges and best practices, not only across sectors but also with representatives from national agencies and the European Commission.

Daphne Yong d’Herve, Senior Policy Manager of the ICC Commission on Intellectual Property said: “The new EU ABS regulation will considerably affect all persons or organizations conducting biodiversity-based research and development in the EU, from sectors such as plant breeding, food and beverage, cosmetics, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Yet, to date it has received surprisingly little attention. All organizations and professionals wishing to better understand the scope of this new regulation and how it will affect their internal operations should attend the event.”

The conference is especially tailored to the needs and interests of executives working in research and development, compliance and legal practice, as well as professionals from supply chains involved in the manufacturing, development and distribution of genetic resources.

“This is the occasion for participants from a wide range of industries, companies and agencies to get together and discuss the practical issues and challenges of complying with the new EU ABS regulation through interactive group exercises.

Some of the most respected ABS experts in Europe will be at the event to share their valuable know-how during the plenaries, roundtables and group workshops,” Ms Yong d’Herve added.

This event is set to take place in Paris on 24-25 November 2014 at the Salons Hoche.

The Access and Benefit Sharing Task Force of ICC’s Commission on Intellectual Property coordinated industry participation in international ABS discussions during the negotiations on the Nagoya Protocol and continues to do so during the national implementation process.

ICC Intellectual Property Commission