ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes a number of indicators which governments, companies and other institutions could use to assess whether access legislation and individual partnerships are fair and equitable, and some elements that companies and other organisations might consider for use in institutional policies on access and benefit-sharing. The recommendations to governments regulating access centre around the need for simple, unbureaucratic, streamlined and flexible access regulations. Development of a corporate or institutional policy on access and benefit-sharing offers several advantages to a company or other organisation. Preparation of a policy provides an opportunity and a mechanism for a company to familiarise itself with the letter and spirit of the Convention and access legislation. Industry associations may wish to consider dedicating more staff time to the issue of access and benefit-sharing. The substantive and procedural requirements for access and benefit-sharing need to be proportionate to the costs and time-frames of research and development.
