The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 (Meaning of “Digital Sequence Information”) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State, define 'digital sequence information' (DSI) specifically concerning marine genetic resources for the purposes of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026, establishing that DSI means DNA or RNA sequences held in digital format; the legislation comes into force on 10th July 2026 across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, supporting the UK’s implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.
Arguments For
Establishes necessary clarity for the implementation of the UK's domestic legislation (the 2026 Act) concerning activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Fulfills the international commitments the UK has made under the UN Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
Provides a clear, technical definition for 'digital sequence information' (DSI) related to marine genetic resources, which aids compliance and enforcement across the UK's jurisdictions (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland).
The low anticipated impact suggests the definition is narrowly tailored to the existing legislative framework, avoiding unnecessary regulatory burden.
Arguments Against
The decision not to produce a new specific impact assessment may limit granular understanding of the exact economic or research implications of this definition, relying instead on the broader Bill assessment.
If the definition ('DNA or ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequences in digital form') is too broad or too narrow in practice, it could create unforeseen legal ambiguities for scientific research or commercial interests utilizing these sequences outside UK waters.
As this definition stems from an international agreement (BBNJ), national stakeholders might face compliance challenges navigating international standards versus purely domestic regulatory oversight.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 521
MARINE ENVIRONMENT
The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 (Meaning of 'Digital Sequence Information') Regulations 2026
| Made - - - | 14th May 2026 | |---|---| | Laid before Parliament | 15th May 2026 | | Coming into force - | 10th July 2026 |
This section introduces the instrument as a Statutory Instrument dated May 14th, 2026, numbered 521, concerning Marine Environment policy.
It titles the instrument as The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 (Meaning of 'Digital Sequence Information') Regulations 2026.
The table indicates the date the instrument was officially made, the date it was formally presented to Parliament, and the date it officially becomes law.
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the power conferred by section 27(1) of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026( 1 ).
The Secretary of State is legally issuing these rules using the specific authority granted under Section 27(1) of the primary legislation, the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026.
Citation, commencement and extent
- -(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 (Meaning of 'Digital Sequence Information') Regulations 2026 and come into force on 10th July 2026.
- (2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Regulation 1 addresses the official title of the legislation and its effective date, confirming that the rules become active on July 10th, 2026.
Subsection (2) clarifies the geographical scope, stating that these regulations apply across all constituent countries of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Meaning of 'digital sequence information'
- For the purposes of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026, 'digital sequence information' in relation to marine genetic resources means DNA or ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequences in digital form.
Regulation 2 provides the core definition required by the main Act.
It specifies that, within the context of the 2026 Act, 'digital sequence information' relating to genetic material found in the ocean outside national jurisdiction must be interpreted as DNA or RNA sequences that exist in a digital format.
14th May 2026
Seema Malhotra Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
This confirms the date the regulations were signed and identifies the signatory as Seema Malhotra, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations establish the meaning of 'digital sequence information', in relation to marine genetic resources, under section 27(1) of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Act 2026 (c. 6) ('the 2026 Act').
Section 27(1) of the 2026 Act provides that 'digital sequence information', in relation to marine genetic resources, has such meaning as the Secretary of State may provide in regulations.
The Regulations make provision in connection with the implementation by the United Kingdom of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument, as no, or no significant, impact on the private, public or voluntary sectors is foreseen. Publication of a full impact assessment is not necessary for such legislation, but the impact assessment prepared for the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill is relevant:
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/59-01/0302/MGRmeasuresimpactassessment.pdf.
The Explanatory Note clarifies that this instrument's purpose is to set the definition for 'digital sequence information' as empowered by Section 27(1) of the 2026 Act.
This action is necessary to fulfill the obligations arising from the UK's participation in the UN Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
Furthermore, the note states that a new, full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary because no significant impact on any sector is anticipated, referencing the previous assessment done for the originating Bill.
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