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BioTrade Principles and Criteria

Based on the experience of national programmes in the implementation of their principles and criteria and the different contexts in which they have been applied, a general set of BioTrade Principles has been defined trough a joint process carried out by UNCTAD and the National BioTrade Programmes. The following are the Principles agreed upon and adhered by the BioTrade initiative, its programmes and partners:

1. Conservation of biodiversity

2. Sustainable use of biodiversity

3. Equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of biodiversity

4. Socio-economic sustainability (management, production and markets)

5. Compliance with national and international legislation and agreements

6. Respect for the rights of actors involved in BioTrade activities

7. Clarity about land tenure, use and access to natural resources and knowledge

The BioTrade Principles and Criteria are based on the objectives of the CBD and other social and economic criteria that assure the sustainability of private initiatives and the competitiveness of these products in the market.

BioTrade principles and criteria are the basis for the definition of other tools developed by BTFP such as the verification framework for BioTrade products and BioTrade Impact Assessment System.