Chapter 06 · Governance & regulationRegulation & International Instruments
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Definition
An international agreement supplementary to the Convention on Biological Diversity that seeks to ensure adequate protection in the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may adversely affect biological diversity, also taking into account risks to human health. Adopted 29 January 2000, in force 11 September 2003; it is administered with the Biosafety Clearing-House as its information exchange.
References
Objective; AIA procedure; precautionary approach; LMO definition; Biosafety Clearing-House.
Adoption and entry-into-force dates; supplementary status to CBD Art. 19(3); first multilateral LMO treaty.
Overview
What it means
The Protocol was the first multilateral treaty specifically addressing transboundary movement of GMOs, mandated by CBD Article 19(3).
Its core mechanism is the Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) procedure: exporters must notify and obtain consent from importing countries before the first shipment of LMOs intended for environmental release, with decisions informed by risk assessment and an explicit precautionary approach (echoing Rio Principle 15 — lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used to postpone measures).
Commodities for food/feed use a simplified documentation route. 173 parties are bound; notable GMO exporters including the US remain outside.
How it is used
Import regulators operate AIA notifications and risk assessments through the Biosafety Clearing-House; trade documentation references LMO status; capacity-building programmes under the Protocol support developing-country biosafety systems; a supplementary liability protocol (Nagoya–Kuala Lumpur, 2010) addresses damage.
Why it matters
The Protocol is the primary international check on GMO trade and the leading treaty application of the precautionary principle to technology governance.