The 45th Ordinary Meeting of the Genetic Heritage Management Council (CGen) Will Take Place This Week
The Genetic Heritage Management Council (CGen) will hold its 45th Ordinary Meeting on June 10 and 11, 2026, to discuss developments concerning SisGen (system for registering access to genetic heritage and associated traditional knowledge) and proposals for regulatory adjustments with potentially relevant impact on regulated sectors. The main topics are outlined below.
Harmonization of the Treatment of Fragrances in SisGen (Technical Guidance No. 6/2018)
The main item for which supporting documents have already been made available is the proposal to amend CGen Technical Guidance No. 6/2018, applicable to the fragrance sector, in order to align it with CGen Resolution No. 40/2023.
The proposal arises from the identification of a regulatory inconsistency: whereas the Technical Guidance allows certain products to be addressed by means of notification, the Resolution provides that such cases must be reported in the access registration in SisGen.
This inconsistency applies to products resulting from access to genetic heritage or associated traditional knowledge in which such components are not one of the key elements adding value to the product.
The Statement of Reasons resolves this conflict based on the interpretation of Law No. 13,123/2015, emphasizing that such products:
The proposal therefore seeks to harmonize the applicable regime by consolidating the understanding that such cases must be treated in SisGen as results obtained from access, within the scope of the access registration, including under the “Resultados obtidos” field (“results obtained”).
Although presented as a low-impact regulatory measure, the amendment is likely to produce relevant operational effects, especially for the fragrance and cosmetics sectors (which are the actual scope of the Technical Guidance), with a possible need to revisit regulatory classifications and update existing registrations accordingly.
Updates on the request for review submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the proposed Resolution approving the Reference List of Associated Traditional Knowledge of Non-Identifiable Origin
Within the scope of regulatory harmonization, the report on the request for review submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the proposed Resolution approving the Reference List of Associated Traditional Knowledge of Non-Identifiable Origin will also be presented. This list stems from CGen Resolution No. 47/2025, which mandated the creation of a reference database on associated traditional knowledge, encompassing both identifiable and non-identifiable origins, with the aim of enhancing legal certainty for all stakeholders working with Brazilian biodiversity. Once approved, the list will be made available on the CGen website.
Updates on the new version of SisGen
The agenda also includes discussion of the new version of SisGen, a recurring topic on the CGen agenda with a direct impact on users’ operational routines. The most anticipated update is likely the inclusion of the international module, which is already in the testing phase.
Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
The agenda also includes updates on discussions related to digital sequence information (“DSI”), a topic under development at both the domestic and international levels. During the meeting of the Academic Sectoral Chamber, discussions will also address options for non-monetary benefit-sharing arising from the use of DSI.
In this context, the proposed amendment to OT No. 6/2018 represents the most concrete advancement from a regulatory standpoint, while the remaining items indicate relevant trends for the future development of the regulation of access to genetic heritage in Brazil.
The Life Sciences & Healthcare team at Souto Correa Advogados remains available to address any questions on the matter.