𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐀𝐁𝐒) 𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐁𝐒 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬

31 May 2025: The National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, has launched Bhutan’s first Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) logo to support ethical bioprospecting and promote businesses that comply with Bhutan’s ABS framework. This logo represents a major step toward the sustainable and responsible use of the country’s biological resources. It symbolizes compliance, trust, and ethical sourcing for companies and products that align with Bhutan’s ABS framework. Rooted in the Biodiversity Act of Bhutan and the Nagoya Protocol, the logo reflects Bhutan’s commitment to the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of biological resources and traditional knowledge.

Over the years, many nature-based enterprises in Bhutan have sustained their businesses using raw materials sourced from local communities. However, only a few have operated within the ABS framework, often leaving them without fair compensation. The new ABS logo seeks to close this gap by encouraging responsible sourcing and ensuring benefits from biodiversity-based products are fairly shared with communities, including contribution to the Bhutan ABS Fund which supports biodiversity conservation and its sustainable utilization initiatives.

As demand for nature-based products continues to rise sharply in both local and international markets, the ABS logo offers a clear and distinct identity for ABS complaint products. It helps them stand apart by signalling compliance with ethical standards, community empowerment, and environmental responsibility.

This logo is more than a design, it’s a commitment to ethical, inclusive, and sustainable development. It offers companies and entrepreneurs a way to show that they are not only compliant with Bhutan’s ABS laws, but also contributing to community well-being and biodiversity conservation. It is expected to transform how Bhutanese businesses engage with biodiversity, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits with local communities who are the custodians of biological resources.

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐁𝐒 𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐨

• Interlocking Circles: Symbolize collaboration, trust and mutual respect between providers and users of the biological resources.
• Central Green Leaf: A symbol of Bhutan’s rich biodiversity and efforts towards sustainable use of biological resources.
• Bhutanese Scrollwork: Reflect national pride and cultural heritage.
• Typography: Emphasize the core message, Access and Benefit Sharing.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐁𝐒 𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐨?

The ABS logo will be granted to companies, entrepreneurs, and other businesses that meet the following criteria and will be permitted to display it on their products:

• They source biological and resources in compliance with Bhutan’s ABS legal framework.
• They have entered into ABS agreement with local communities.
• They demonstrate fair and equitable sharing of benefits with the providers of the resources, especially local communities.
• They follow sustainable and ethical practices in product development and trade.

The use of this ABS logo sends a strong message of integrity, supporting ethical bioprospecting, respecting and empowring local communites, and promoting the sustainable use of biodiversity. The ABS logo will also complement existing labels such as Brand Bhutan and Bhutan Organic, creating a stronger identity for Bhutanese products in global markets. The multiple versions of the logo are provided, allowing users to choose the most suitable option based on the size and design of their product labels. This flexibility supports consistent branding while maintaining the core message and visual impact.

The logo is developed as part of the project “Scaling Bioprospecting as Nature-based Solution (NbS) for green mountain livelihoods” implemented by the National Biodiversity Centre, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in partnership with ICIMOD.