The Cartagena Protocol is a worldwide agreement handling the movement of living genetically

engineered organisms from one country to another. It endeavors to protect nature from the
potential risks presented by such organisms by establishing procedures countries can use to make
informed decisions on the import of such organisms. The Protocol concerns the transboundary
movement and handling of living, genetically modified organisms and with those living,
genetically modified organisms that may pose a danger to the preservation of biodiversity, its
sustainable utilization or to human health. The protocol provide suitable protection to
biodiversity, i.e. against negative effects on the preservation and sustainable utilization of
wildlife, including risks to human health. It facilitates cooperation between governments,
economic operators and society in the interests of increasing biological security. The scope of
authority of the Protocol includes all living, genetically modified organisms with exception of
pharmaceuticals used in treating humans (which are regulated by other treaties), in addition a
simplified procedure exists for shipments of modified organisms which are to be used in
contained systems (that do not enter the environment).

According to Cartagena Protocol the Protocol, LMOs are those living organisms that possess a
novel combination of genetic material and are obtained through the use of modern
biotechnology. The main requirements of the Cartagena Protocol are related to ensuring that a
party has the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding the potential impact that a
LMO could have on its biodiversity, prior to deciding whether to allow that LMO to be imported.
The Biosafety Clearing-House was established by the Cartagena Protocol to facilitate the
exchange of scientific, technical, environmental and legal information on, and experience with,
LMOs and to assist Parties to implement the Protocol. The Cartagena Protocol is reinforced by
the Nagoya - Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress which includes
specific response measures to be taken in the event of damage to biodiversity resulting from
LMOs. The Supplementary Protocol has entered into force on 5 March 2018.According to the
Protocol, LMOs are those living organisms that possess a novel combination of genetic material
and are obtained through the use of modern biotechnology.

The main requirements of the Cartagena Protocol are related to ensuring that a party has the
opportunity to make an informed decision regarding the potential impact that a LMO could have
on its biodiversity, prior to deciding whether to allow that LMO to be imported. The Biosafety
Clearing-House was established by the Cartagena Protocol to facilitate the exchange of
scientific, technical, environmental and legal information on, and experience with, LMOs and to
assist Parties to implement the Protocol. An initial authorization procedure must be performed
prior to the first import of living, genetically modified organisms (e.g. live fish, monkeys, pets
etc.) that are destined to be released to the environment. In such cases it is the duty of the
exporter to inform the importing country prior to transport in detail and in writing of the planned
shipment containing living, genetically modified organisms. Having received such information,
the importing country must decide within a predetermined period whether to allow the shipment
into the country. If new scientific data emerges with regard to the possible adverse effects of
living, genetically modified organisms, the importing party may at any time review and modify
its decision with regard to the transport of such organisms across its borders.

The Protocol stipulates a scientifically justified risk examination procedure, which must in all
cases occur before any decision on the importing of living, genetically modified organisms. The
performance of the risk assessment study is the responsibility of the importing party, but it may
also require that the exporting party perform the study and bear the related costs. An information
system must be operated within the framework of the protocol (BCH: Biosafety Clearing House).
This system is basically a website which facilitates the exchange of scientific, technical, legal
and environmental knowledge relating to living, genetically modified organisms, and which
helps decision-making, aids the Parties in realizing the objectives of the Protocol and enables the
public to access information on living, genetically modified organisms that have been declared
importable according to the Protocol. The Protocol also prescribes that the public must be
included in the decision-making process and that the results of decisions must also be made
public. The Parties must guarantee the reporting of random movements across borders and the
prevention and if possible the punishment of illegal shipments. In the case of an illegal shipment,
the affected Party may demand that the country of origin of the shipment of living genetically
modified organisms bear the costs of their return or destruction. In the case of live, genetically
modified organisms destined for direct use in food, feed or for processing, labelling must include
only the details of the contact person and that the shipment "may contain living, genetically
modified organisms".
In the case of end use and emission into the environment, shipment documentation must clearly
indicate the shipment as being living, genetically modified organisms, and every requirement for
their secure handling, storage, transport and utilization must be clearly determined. Contact
person details must also be provided. In the case of end use, the accompanying documentation
must also include information on where the organisms are being transported. In the case of
emission into the environment, accompanying documentation must also include the typical
characteristics of the organisms in question and their method of identification. Developing
countries must be helped with financial and other methods to establish suitable personnel and
institutional background to successfully implement the Protocol.

While the process has been set up to seek permission for LMOs for different categories, the CPB
contains relevant provision for unintentional transboundary movement of LMOs. When a
country knows of an unintentional transboundary movement of LMOs that is likely to have
significant adverse effects on biodiversity and human health, it must notify affected or
potentially affected States, the BCH and relevant international organizations regarding
information on the unintentional release. To minimize any adverse effects and to determine
appropriate response measures notifications should include available relevant information on the
estimated quantities and relevant characteristics and/ or traits of the LMOs. Information on the
circumstances and estimated date of the release and on the use of the LMOs in the originating
Party. Any available information about the possible adverse effects on the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity including risks to human health, as well as available
Information about possible risk management measures.
References

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Cartagena Protocol". Convention on Biological Diversity. United
Nations Environment Programme. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2017

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity" (PDF). cbd.int.

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. 2000. Retrieved 15 July 2020

 Unit,Biosafety (13 November 2019). "The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety". The Biosafety

Clearing-House (BCH). Retrieved 2 December 2019.

Archived copy". Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.

 "United Nations Treaty Collection". United Nations. Archived from the original on 5 March
2014. Retrieved 24 July 2020