User checks by BfN detect non-compliance
User checks in the academic sector
The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Budesamt für Naturschutz, BfN) started a round of user checks on academic institutions back in September 2020.
Violations detected!
Eight violations with the due diligence obligation under Article 4.3 of the Regulation (EU) No 511/2014 were identified.
In five cases, the BfN responded to the violations by issuing an order prohibiting the publication of the research results. A German university was also fined. It had failed to comply with applicable ABS rules in Benin for the use of plant genetic resources from that country and did not have the necessary documentation (permit and benefit-sharing agreement). According to the BfN, the university also did also not take appropriate measures to rectify the situation and obtain the required documents retroactively.
More checks have started!
The next round of checks started in April 2022 and will include 30 institutions across various sectors.
More information here (German only).
