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

Integrated implementation with the Integrated implementation with the Rotterdam ConventionRotterdam 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 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

10

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

11

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

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 1992

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

enter into force

Website: www.basel.int

18

Rotterdam Convention

Entered into force February 2004

• 120 Parties as of June 2008

Website: www.pic.int

19

Areas for integrated implementation

1. Framework for lifecycle management 2. Chemicals covered3. Regulatory infrastructure4. Import/export control5. 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