The Stockholm and Basel Conventions: Integrated implementation with the Rotterdam Convention

2 Purpose of the Presentation Introduce the Basel and Stockholm Conventions Highlight how they relate to the Rotterdam Convention, and Identify opportunities for integrated implementation

3 Structure of the Presentation Objectives of the Conventions Scope-Coverage Key provisions of the Conventions Present status Integrated implementation

4 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

5 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

6 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

7 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)

8 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

9 Stockholm Convention ASSESSMENT 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

10 Stockholm Convention SUPPORT 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

11 Stockholm Convention STATUS Entered into force 17 May 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:

12 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.

13 Basel Convention SCOPE-COVERAGE Hazardous wastes (specified in Annex I) –Explosive –Flammable –Poisonous –Infectious –Corrosive –Toxic –Ecotoxic

14 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

15 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

16 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

17 Basel Convention Entered into force May Parties as of June 2008 Subsequent amendments have yet to enter into force Website:

18 Rotterdam Convention Entered into force February Parties as of June 2008 Website:

19 Areas for integrated implementation 1.Framework for lifecycle management 2.Chemicals covered 3.Regulatory infrastructure 4.Import/export control 5.Waste management 6.Hazard communication

20 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

21 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

22 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

23 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

24 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

25 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

26 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

27 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

28 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

29 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

30 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

31 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