Overview

Severely Hazardous Pesticide Formulations (SHPFs) are chemicals formulated for pesticidal use that are known to produce severe health or environmental effects observable within a short period of time after single or multiple exposure, under conditions of use.

Article 6 of the Rotterdam Convention outlines the process for SHPFs. Under Article 6, any Party that is a developing country or country with an economy in transition that is experiencing problems caused by an SHPF, either due to human health or environmental problems in its territory may make a proposal to the Secretariat for the inclusion of the formulation in Annex III. The proposals must contain the information specified in Part 1 of Annex IV of the Convention and be submitted to the Secretariat by the DNA of that country.

Process for the submission of an SHPF

To facilitate the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention, the Secretariat has developed two forms: one for reporting on environmental incidents and one for reporting on human health incidents related to an SHPF. The forms and instructions are intended to assist DNAs in understanding what information to collect and submit in support of a proposal for listing a hazardous pesticide formulation in Annex III.

In preparing a proposal for the listing of an SHPF in Annex III, a DNA may draw upon technical expertise from any relevant source. Upon receipt of a proposal the Secretariat must verify whether it meets the information requirements of part 1 of Annex IV of the Convention. If the proposal is found to be complete a summary is prepared and published in Appendix II, Part A of the PIC Circular. The summary briefly describes the formulation, how it was being used, when the incident occurred and the adverse effects observed on either human health or the environment.

The Secretariat offers Parties the opportunity to receive technical assistance in setting up monitoring and reporting programmes and collecting evidence of poisoning incidents for the preparation of proposals of SHPF in the framework of article 6.