**Executive Summary**
As of March 31, 2026, India has emerged as the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol, accounting for over 56% of all certificates issued worldwide. This achievement stems from the effective implementation of India’s Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) framework via the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The report highlights India's proactive role in global biodiversity governance and the fair sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Global Leadership and Statistics**
* India has issued 3,561 IRCCs out of a global total of 6,311, placing it ahead of all other participating countries.
* Only 34 out of 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House have issued IRCCs to date.
* Following India, the top contributors are France (964 certificates), Spain (320), Argentina (257), Panama (156), and Kenya (144).
**Function and Importance of IRCCs**
* IRCCs serve as official evidence that Prior Informed Consent (PIC) has been obtained and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) have been established.
* These certificates are essential for tracking the use of genetic resources from the research and innovation stage through to commercial applications.
* The system ensures that benefits arising from the use of biological resources and traditional knowledge are shared fairly with the provider country.
**India’s Institutional Framework**
* Implementation is governed by the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and managed by the National Biodiversity Authority at the central level.
* The framework is supported by State Biodiversity Boards (or UT Biodiversity Councils) and local-level Biodiversity Management Committees.
* India’s success is attributed to streamlined procedures and strong institutional mechanisms that facilitate efficient application processing.
**Impact Analysis**
**National Biodiversity Authority and State/Local Boards**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for the streamlined procedures and institutional mechanisms that have led to India’s leading global position.
**Action Required**
Continue the efficient processing of applications and ensure all IRCC details are accurately uploaded to the global ABS Clearing-House.
**Users of Biological Resources (Researchers and Commercial Innovators)**
**Impact**
Users must obtain IRCCs to provide official evidence of compliance with the Nagoya Protocol when accessing genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge.
**Action Required**
Must secure Prior Informed Consent and establish Mutually Agreed Terms with providers before resource use.
**Provider Countries and Local Communities**
**Impact**
The IRCC system protects their interests by ensuring that any use of their biological resources or associated knowledge results in fair and equitable benefit-sharing.
**Action Required**
Engage with the ABS framework through Biodiversity Management Committees to ensure resources are used according to agreed-upon terms.
Key Entities Referenced
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS): An international treaty for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
Biological Diversity Act, 2002: The primary Indian legislation providing the framework for the conservation of biological diversity and implementation of ABS mechanisms.
Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs): Official certificates that serve as evidence of Prior Informed Consent and Mutually Agreed Terms for the use of genetic resources.
National Biodiversity Authority: The central regulatory body in India responsible for implementing the Biological Diversity Act and managing the ABS framework.
ABS Clearing-House: A global platform that promotes transparency and accountability by tracking the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
India emerges as Global Leader in issuing
Compliance Certificates under Nagoya Protocol
Posted On: 31 MAR 2026 8:53AM by PIB Delhi
India has emerged as the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance
(IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS), accounting for over 56 per cent
of all certificates issued worldwide. According to the latest data on the ABS Clearing-House, India has
issued 3,561 IRCCs out of a global total of 6,311, placing it far ahead of all other countries in
implementing the protocol.
Out of 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House, a global platform that promotes transparency
and accountability, only 34 have issued IRCCs so far. India is followed by France with 964 certificates,
Spain (320), Argentina (257), Panama (156) and Kenya (144). This reaffirms India’s strong commitment
to fair and transparent use of biological resources and or associated 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 play a crucial role in tracking how genetic resources are used, from research and innovation to
eventual commercial applications, ensuring that benefits are shared fairly with the provider country.India’s leading position reflects the effective implementation of its ABS framework under the Biological
Diversity Act, 2002, implemented through the National Biodiversity Authority at the central level, State
Biodiversity Boards/ Union territory Biodiversity Councils at the state level and Biodiversity Management
Committees at the local level. Streamlined procedures and strong institutional mechanisms have enabled
efficient processing of applications and ensured compliance with international obligations.
This achievement highlights India’s proactive role in global biodiversity governance and its continued
efforts to promote the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources. It
also aligns with international goals on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, strengthening India’s
position as a key player in implementing global environmental agreements.
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VM/GS
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