Update February 2014: The Plant Varieties Protection (Amendment) Bill contains a provision to extend protection to varieties in all plant genera and species.

The Plant Varieties Protection Act (Chapter 232A) allows for certificates to be obtained for protecting plant varieties in Singapore.

Section 4(1) of the Act makes clear that the Act only applies to the plant genera and species listed in the Schedule. In other words, any plant variety that is not listed in the schedule is not protectable as a plant variety in Singapore.

The Schedule to the Plant Varieties Protection Act currently lists 16 specified genera and species in three different groups orchids, ornamental plants and vegetables.

For example, in the Orchidaceae, only hybrids in Dendrobium, Mokara, Oncidium, Vanda, Aranda, Aranthera, Phalaenopsis and Renantanda are protectable.

Here is a list of protectable genera and species, as extracted from the Schedule to the Plant Varieties Protection Act:

1. Orchids

  • Dendrobium

  • Mokara (Arachnis x Ascocentrum x Vanda)

  • Oncidium (Dancing Lady Orchid)

  • Vanda

  • Aranda (Arachnis x Vanda)

  • Aranthera (Arachnis x Renanthera)

  • Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid)

  • Renantanda (Renanthera x Vanda)

2. Aquatic plants and Ornamentals

  • Anubias

  • Cryptocoryne (Water Trumpet)

  • Echinodorus (Amazon Sword Plant)

  • Limnophilla (Asian Marsh Weed)

  • Heliconia (Crab Claw Plant)

  • Jatropha curcas (Physic Nut)

3. Vegetables

  • Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis (Baicai, Xiaobaicai)

  • Brassica rapa subsp. parachinensis (Caixin)

← Back to Blog