The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a supplementary agreement to the Convention known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety on 29 January 2000. This agreement entered into force on 11 September 2003.

The Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. It establishes an advance informed agreement (AIA) procedure for ensuring that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of such organisms into their territory. The Protocol contains reference to a precautionary approach and reaffirms the precaution language in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

The Biosafety Clearing-House was established by the Protocol to facilitate the exchange of information on living modified organisms and to assist countries in the implementation of the Protocol.

The home page of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is maintained as part of the Convention on Biological Diversity website. The Protocol pages contain information on ratification of the Protocol, meeting details and documents, and highlights of the programme of work of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol, including the history of development of the Biosafety Clearing-House.

Click here to leave the BCH and visit the home page of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.