law: The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
  5. Sections 3 and 4
  
  not to apply to certain collaborative research projects.-
  1.  
  
    The
  
  provisions of sections 3 and 4 shall not apply to collaborative research
  
  projects involving transfer or exchange of biological resources or information
  
  relating thereto between institutions, including Government sponsored
  
  institutions of India, and such institutions in other countries, if such
  
  collaborative research projects satisfy the conditions specified in sub-section
  
  (3).
  2.  
  
    All
  
  collaborative research projects, other than those referred to in sub-section
  
  (1) which are based on agreements concluded before the commencement of this Act
  
  and in force shall, to the extent the provisions of agreement are inconsistent
  
  with the provisions of this Act or any guidelines issued under clause (a) of
  
  sub-section (3), be void.
  3.  
  
    For
  
  the purposes of sub-section (1), collaborative research projects shall-
  a.   conform to the policy
  
  guidelines issued by the Central Government in this behalf;
  b.   be approved by the
  
  Central Government.