Paragraphs 2 (b) and 2 (c) of Article 18

The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,

Recalling paragraph 2 of decision BS-I/6 B, in which the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol invited Parties, other Governments and relevant international organizations to submit to the Executive Secretary information on their experience gained with the use of commercial invoices or other documents required or utilized by existing documentation systems, with a view to the future consideration of a stand-alone document,

Considering the information received from Parties, other Governments and relevant international organizations on their experience gained with the use of commercial invoices or other documents required or utilized by existing documentation systems,

1. Takes note of the efforts, with appreciation, that exporters of living modified organisms are making to implement the requirements specified under paragraphs 2 (b) and 2 (c) of Article 18 of the Protocol in accordance with the provisions of the Protocol as further elaborated by decision BS-I/6 B, other existing international or national requirements, and established practices;

2. Urges Parties to the Protocol and invite other Governments to take necessary measures, taking into account their specific capabilities, to make sure that those requirements of paragraphs 2 (b) and 2 (c) of Article 18 of the Protocol as elaborated by decision BS-I/6 B are fully complied with;

3. Furtherurges Parties, especially those Parties of import, to make available to the Biosafety Clearing-House information on their domestic requirements concerning imports of living modified organisms in general, and documentation requirements in particular, with respect to living modified organisms for contained use and for intentional introduction into the environment, as part of the requirement set out in paragraph 3 of Article 20 of the Protocol for each Party to make available its laws, regulations and guidelines relevant to the implementation of the Protocol;

4. Without prejudice to the future consideration of a stand-alone document at its third meeting, decides that the documentation requirements of Article 18 paragraphs 2 (b) and (c), and experiences in implementing them, will be considered in the context of the review of implementation of the Protocol as provided for under Article 35 of the Protocol.