CITES 'Non-detriment findings' - Requirements of the Convention

Updated on 06 July 2015

In detail, the NDF requirements in the text of the Convention are:

a) Article III (Appendix-I species):

i) An export permit shall only be granted when … a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species;

ii) An import permit shall only be granted when … a Scientific Authority of the State of import has advised that the import will be for purposes which are not detrimental to the survival of the species involved; and

iii) A [introduction from the sea] certificate shall only be granted when … a Scientific Authority of the State of introduction advises that the introduction will not be detrimental to the survival of the species involved; and

b) Article IV (Appendix-II species):

i) An export permit shall only be granted when … a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species;

ii) A Scientific Authority in each Party shall monitor both the export permits granted by that State for specimens of species included in Appendix II and the actual exports of such specimens. Whenever a Scientific Authority determines that the export of specimens of any such species should be limited in order to maintain that species throughout its range at a level consistent with its role in the ecosystems in which it occurs and well above the level at which that species might become eligible for inclusion in Appendix I, the Scientific Authority shall advise the appropriate Management Authority of suitable measures to be taken to limit the grant of export permits for specimens of that species; and

iii) A [introduction from the sea] certificate shall only be granted when … a Scientific Authority of the State of introduction advises that the introduction will not be detrimental to the survival of the species involved.

It is worth noting that no NDF is required prior to export for species included in Appendix III, even from the State that included the species in that Appendix.