India Emerges Global Leader in Genetic Resource Compliance Under Nagoya Protocol

April 1, 2026

India has emerged as the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS), accounting for more than 56% of all such certificates issued worldwide.
According to data data available on the ABS Clearing-House, India has issued 3,561 IRCCs out of a global total of 6,311, placing it significantly ahead of other countries in implementing the protocol.

Out of 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House, which serves as a global platform to promote transparency and accountability, only 34 countries have issued IRCCs so far.

India is followed by France with 964 certificates, Spain with 320, Argentina with 257, Panama with 156 and Kenya with 144.
This performance reaffirms India’s commitment to ensuring the fair and transparent use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. Under the Nagoya Protocol, countries granting access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge are required to issue IRCCs. These certificates serve as official evidence that Prior Informed Consent has been obtained and that Mutually Agreed Terms have been established between users and providers of resources. The details are then uploaded to the ABS Clearing-House.

IRCCs are considered crucial for tracking the utilisation of genetic resources, ranging from research and innovation to eventual commercial applications, while ensuring that benefits arising from their use are shared equitably with the provider country. The Ministry noted that India’s leading position reflects the “effective implementation” of its ABS framework under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.