the stockholm and basel conventions: integrated implementation with the rotterdam convention

The Stockholm The Stockholm and Basel Conventions: and Basel Conventions:

Integrated implementation with the Integrated implementation with the Rotterdam ConventionRotterdam Convention

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Purpose of the Presentation

• Introduce the Basel and Stockholm Conventions

• Highlight how they relate to the Rotterdam Convention, and

• Identify opportunities for integrated implementation

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Structure of the Presentation

• Objectives of the Conventions• Scope-Coverage • Key provisions of the Conventions• Present status• Integrated implementation

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Stockholm Convention

OBJECTIVE• To protect human health and the environment from the

harmful impacts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)HOW

– eliminate production and use of intentionally produced POPs

– minimize and where feasible eliminate releases of unintentionally produced POPs

– clean-up old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs

– support the transition to safer alternatives– target additional POPs for action

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Stockholm Convention SCOPE/COVERAGE

a) 12 chemicals

• Pesticides– aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor,

mirex, toxaphene, hexachlorobenzene

• Industrial Chemicals– hexachlorobenzene, PCBs

• Unintended byproducts– chlorinated dioxins, chlorinated furans

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Stockholm Convention

SCOPE/COVERAGE

b) Clean up Stockpiles and Equipment

• Governments to identify stockpiles, products and articles containing POPs

• Stockpiles and wastes to be managed in a safe efficient and environmentally friendly manner

• POPs content must be destroyed

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Stockholm Convention

TRANSITION TO SAFER ALTERNATIVES

• DDT is permitted for disease vector control until locally safe, effective and affordable alternatives are available

• PCBs – governments allowed until 2025 to phase out ‘in-place’ equipment

• Country specific exemptions for certain pesticides

• Improve ability to minimize release of byproducts (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs)

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Stockholm Convention

CRITERIA FOR NEW POPS

• Add new chemicals following consideration by an expert body

• Criteria include

– persistence, bio-accumulation, toxicity,– potential for long-range environmental

transport

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Stockholm ConventionASSESSMENT OF NEW POPS

• Screening criteria are assessed by a POPs Review Committee

• If the criteria are satisfied, information is gathered to prepare a risk profile

• Lack of full scientific certainty shall not prevent a proposal for global action on a chemical

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Stockholm ConventionSUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Detailed guidance is available including:

• Developing a national implementation plan (NIP) for the Stockholm Convention

• Reducing and Eliminating the use of POPs

• Action Plan for the Reduction of Reliance on DDT in Disease Vector Control

• Framework for the Management of PCBs

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Stockholm Convention

STATUS

Entered into force 17 May 2004

• 156 Parties as of June 2008

• COP 2, 1-5 May 2006, Geneva• COP 3, 30 April-4 May 2007,Senegal• COP 4, May 2009

Website: www.pops.int

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Basel Convention

OBJECTIVE

• Reduce transboundary movement of hazardous wastes to a minimum consistent with their environmentally sound management

• Dispose of hazardous wastes as close as possible to their source of generation

• Minimize generation of hazardous wastes in terms of quantity and degree of hazard.

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Basel Convention

SCOPE-COVERAGE• Hazardous wastes (specified in Annex I)

– Explosive– Flammable– Poisonous– Infectious– Corrosive– Toxic– Ecotoxic

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Basel Convention

KEY PROVISIONS • A procedure for the notification of

transboundary movements of hazardous wastes or other wastes, based upon a prior written consent procedure

• Each shipment needs a movement document from the point of transboundary movement to the point of disposal

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Basel Convention

KEY PROVISIONS

• Transboundary movement only among parties

• Export is prohibited if – The state of import has an import ban, OR

– The state of import has not given its consent to the import

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Basel Convention

SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATION

• Manual and guidelines– Model legislation on control and management

of hazardous wastes– Implementation manual– Instruction manual on the control system– Technical Guidelines

• Basel Convention Regional Centres

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Basel Convention

Entered into force May 1992

• 170 Parties as of June 2008• Subsequent amendments have yet to

enter into force

Website: www.basel.int

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Rotterdam Convention

Entered into force February 2004

• 120 Parties as of June 2008

Website: www.pic.int

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Areas for integrated implementation

1. Framework for lifecycle management 2. Chemicals covered3. Regulatory infrastructure4. Import/export control5. Waste management 6. Hazard communication

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1. Framework for Lifecycle Management

• Together the three conventions cover the key elements of the life cycle management of hazardous chemicals:

– SC sets out specific criteria for identifying POPs that are to be incorporated into national assessment schemes – should lead to national regulatory action

– RC candidate chemicals are those that are banned or severely restricted or refused first time approval for health or environmental reasons

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1. Framework for Lifecycle Management

Rotterdam Convention

• is a first line of defence against future POPs

• gives countries an early opportunity to consider alternatives

• PIC procedure should assist in avoiding an accumulation of unwanted stockpiles

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1. Framework for Lifecycle Management

Stockholm Convention

• eliminate production and use of POPs chemicals

• restricts the import and export of POPs to cases where the purpose is the environmentally sound disposal

• reduce or eliminate releases of POPs working on BAT/BEP guidelines

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1. Framework for Lifecycle Management

Basel Convention

• can assist in managing disposal of unwanted stockpiles

• technical working group is developing guidelines on management of POPs wastes

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2. Chemicals Covered

• 8 of the 10 intentionally produced POPs are subject to the Rotterdam Convention

• anticipate that in future intentionally produced POPs in the Stockholm Convention will be first included in the RC

• as wastes all chemicals will be subject to the Basel Convention

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3. Regulatory infrastructure

• Countries can use the experience gained during ratification of the Basel Convention for Stockholm and Rotterdam

• Guidance to developing National Implementation Plans (NIPs) adopted at Stockholm Convention COP.1 includes references to integration with the Rotterdam Convention

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3. Regulatory infrastructure

• National chemicals legislation – all three Conventions involve a review of existing legal or administrative infrastructure– Utilize Rotterdam Legal Guide in

reviewing legislation

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4. Import/Export Controls• All three Conventions provide mechanisms

to restrict imports and obligations on exports.– Import restrictions under Rotterdam may help

prevent stockpiles and wastes accumulating

• Customs officials should be trained on Convention requirements in a coordinated manner, addressing all three Convention’s

• Conventions may facilitate monitoring of movement of hazardous chemicals

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4. Import/Export Controls

• Secretariats of the three Conventions are working together to ensure a coordinated approach to training customs authorities on the requirements of the Conventions

– in association with UNEP Green Customs initiative and the World Customs Organization

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5. Waste Management

• Movement of wastes under Basel Convention – Rotterdam and Stockholm may help to prevent

accumulation of stockpiles

• Basel Convention is developing technical guidelines for PCB, dioxins, furans and other hazardous wastes– These will be taken up by Stockholm

Convention

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6. Hazard Communication• All three Conventions have mechanisms for

hazard communication

• National focal points for the Conventions should share information to ensure awareness among relevant authorities

• Close cooperation between focal points and regulators will assist in an integrated approach – such cooperation may assist in coordinated

implementation, as common issues can be considered together

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Synergies process among the Basel Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

Decisions of the 3 COPs

• Establish the Joint ad Hoc Working Group on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Conventions– 15 representatives from each Convention (3 per UN

region)

– First meeting March 2007, Helsinki Finland

– Second meeting December 2007, Vienna, Austria

– Final meeting March 2008 – Rome, Italy