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The focus of this brief is on plant genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in the botanicals industry, although its conclusions and recommendations have broad applicability to other sub-sectors. Note that separate policy briefs review ABS issues pertaining to the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, botanicals, industrial biotechnology and food and beverage sectors.

The focus of this brief is on the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in the cosmetics industry, although conclusions and recommendations have broad applicability to other subsectors. Note that separate policy briefs review access and benefit-sharing issues pertaining to the pharmaceuticals, agriculture, botanicals, industrial biotechnology and food and beverage sectors.

Industrial biotechnology has come of age in the last five years. Advances in science and technology, combined with concerns over climate change, energy security, and an interest in more efficient, cost-effective and green manufacturing processes and products, have led to rapid growth in this sector. With increase and significant government support, particularly for biofuels, industrial biotech is "now mature enough to be scaled up from a laboratory of curiosities to full commercialization."