What is Prior Informed Consent (PIC)?
PIC is a permission given by the local indigenous communities to an individual researcher or institution to access the Traditional Knowledge and biological resources through a legal framework before the initial plan for the proposed project is developed.
Why is it Important?
Malaysia is one of the parties in the following International legal obligation:
- Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD)- 1992
- Bonn guidelines - 2002
- UNDRIP - 2007
- Nagoya Protocol - 2010
- Customary International Law
Why do we need PIC?
- To ensure the local indigenous communities’ rights on the traditional knowledge and biological resources are protected.
- To enable the local indigenous communities to have the rights to deny or approve proposed projects based on the potential impact and benefits to their villages.
- To enable the local indigenous communities to be the keeper in managing the biological resources in their villages.
- To enable the local indigenous communities to negotiate for benefit sharing.
When to Obtain PIC?
Collection of biological resources associated with traditional knowledge.
Timeline for obtaining PIC
In accordance with the community’s requirements and practice or shall not be less than two weeks and shall not be more than two months.
Benefit Sharing Agreement
The parties shall then negotiate and enter into fair & equitable benefit-sharing agreement:
- For the supply of raw material and processing; or
- Relating to the commercialisation of products.
SBC's approach in obtaining PIC:
1. Meeting with Community Leaders
To obtain permission from the community leaders during the consultative meeting at Resident offices, district offices and sub-district offices to conduct TK Documentation project in their villages.
2. Traditional Knowledge Documentation Workshop
To conduct TK Documentation Workshop through presentation on methods of documentation using field notebook, digital recorder and digital camera that are carried out before hands-on field documentation and collection.
3. Permission from Community
To bring back the plants to SBC and each plant is recorded in Plant Specimen Form (as an agreement with the community).