Certificates of Origin Come of Age: The Role of Certification in International ABS and TK Governance

Abstract

Development of international regimes to regulate access to genetic resources and benefi t sharing (ABS), and protection of traditional knowledge (TK) are two of the most challenging and pressing issues currently under negotiation by the international community. Based upon work in Peru in the early 1990's, proposals were made for a certifi cate of origin system including binding disclosure of origin obligations, which are now at the fore of international negotiations in this area. Proposals have subsequently been made for systems of certifi cates of source, legal provenance and compliance. This paper examines the similarities and differences amongst certifi cation proposals and their potential role in international ABS and TK governance