Séptima reunión de la Conferencia de las Partes en el Convenio de Rotterdam

I. Introduction

1. By decisions BC-11/20, RC-6/12 and SC-6/25, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, decided to hold the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention back to back in 2015 (hereinafter, “the 2015 meetings”). The conferences of the parties also decided that their 2015 meetings would “include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues” and would “prioritize an agenda and schedule that focus on substantive matters related to implementation of the conventions and provide sufficient time for their consideration”.

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the activities that the Secretariat is undertaking with regard to notifications of final regulatory action to ban or severely restrict pesticides and industrial chemicals;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report prepared by the Secretariat on the information received from parties on ways of exchanging information on exports and export notifications;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the reports of the Chemical Review Committee on the work of its ninth and tenth meetings;

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting with appreciation the work of the Chemical Review Committee,
Having considered the recommendation of the Chemical Review Committee to make methamidophos subject to the prior informed consent procedure and accordingly to list it in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade,

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling the objective of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade provided in Article 1 of the Convention,

1. Decides to establish an intersessional working group composed of interested parties and observers to undertake the work described in paragraph 4 of the present decision;

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling Article 17 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, Mindful that the procedures and mechanisms called for under Article 17 will help address compliance,

1. Decides to consider further at its eighth meeting, for adoption, the procedures and mechanisms on compliance required under Article 17 of the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided by the Secretariat on technical assistance for the implementation of the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information presented in the note by the Secretariat;
2. Joins the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme in welcoming an integrated approach to addressing the financing of the sound management of chemicals and wastes, underscoring that the three components of an integrated approach, mainstreaming, industry involvement and dedicated external finance, are mutually reinforcing and are all important for the financing of the sound management of chemicals and waste at all levels and emphasizing the importance of implementing the three components, as agreed in decision 27/12 of the United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council, requests the Secretariat to assist parties in that respect, subject to the availability of resources, and recognizes the importance of the joint programme of work to that end;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination;
2. Joins with the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme in emphasizing that the sound management of chemicals and wastes is an essential and cross-cutting element of sustainable development and is of great relevance to the sustainable development agenda;

The Conference of the Parties

Mindful of the legal autonomy of, respectively, the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Notes the progress made in the implementation of the joint clearing-house mechanism, which should serve as a platform for the exchange and dissemination of information;
2. Takes note of the proposed joint clearing-house mechanism strategy and invites parties and others to provide comments on the strategy, in particular its scope, on national and regional priorities and needs in respect of the clearing-house mechanism and on the goals described in section IV of the strategy, to the Secretariat by 31 October 2015;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Recognizes the importance of the science-policy interface for the effectiveness of the conventions;
2. Stresses the need for scientific underpinning for decision-making and policy-making in the sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes at the national and regional levels;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Decides to convene its eighth meeting in Geneva from 24 April to 5 May 2017, back to back with the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; that will include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the legal autonomy of the Conference of the Parties and noting that the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme and the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants have equal decision-making authority within their respective mandates,

The Conference of the Parties

Taking note of the financial reports on the Rotterdam Convention trust funds for 2014 and estimated expenditures for 2015 from the Trust Fund for the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam Convention Trust Fund),

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

Item 1

Opening of the meeting

1. The seventh ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre, 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, from 4 to 15 May 2015, back-to-back with the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The meetings will feature joint sessions on joint issues. The meetings will be opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, 4 May 2015 by the three presidents of the conferences of the parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note contains information pertaining to the election of the officers of the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its first meeting, by decision RC-1/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade adopted its rules of procedure, as contained in the annex to that decision, with the exception of the second sentence of paragraph 1 of rule 45, which it agreed to maintain in square brackets to indicate that it had not been agreed and was of no effect.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its sixth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade adopted decision RC-6/1, on implementation of the Rotterdam Convention. The decision, among other things, encouraged parties to exchange information in accordance with the provisions of the Convention by submitting notifications of final regulatory action for banned or severely restricted chemicals.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Paragraph 2 of Article 11 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade sets out the obligations and conditions relating to the export of chemicals listed in Annex III to the Convention in exceptional circumstances when an importing party has failed to transmit an import response or has transmitted an interim response that does not contain an interim decision. Paragraph 2 (c) of Article 11 provides that such exports can take place if explicit consent to the import has been sought and received by the exporter through a designated national authority of the importing party. Furthermore, the importing party is required to respond to such a request within 60 days and to promptly notify the Secretariat of its decision.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The Chemical Review Committee held its ninth and tenth meetings in Rome from 22 to 25 October 2013 and from 22 to 24 October 2014, respectively. The reports of those meetings are available in documents UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.9/11 and UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.10/10, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee at its ninth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for methamidophos as a pesticide from Brazil and the European Union, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Rotterdam Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed by its decision CRC-9/3 to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that methamidophos be listed in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention and proceeded to draft a decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

At its tenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on methamidophos. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee at its ninth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for methamidophos as a pesticide from Brazil and the European Union, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Rotterdam Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed by its decision CRC-9/3 to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that methamidophos be listed in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention and proceeded to draft a decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

At its tenth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on fenthion (ultra low volume (ULV) formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/L). The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its eighth meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for trichlorfon from Brazil and the European Community, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed by its decision CRC-8/3 to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that trichlorfon be listed in Annex III to the Convention and proceeded to develop a draft decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

At its ninth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on trichlorfon. The document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 6 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its eighth meeting recommended the listing of liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L, corresponding to paraquat ion at or above 200 g/L, as severely hazardous pesticide formulations in Annex III to the Convention, approved the text of a draft guidance document (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/10/Add.1, annex) and decided to forward the recommendation and the draft decision document to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

At its eighth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L. The document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, the Chemical Review Committee at its second meeting recommended the listing of chrysotile asbestos in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, approved the text of a draft decision guidance document on chrysotile asbestos (UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.7/11/Add.1, annex) and decided to forward the recommendation and the draft decision guidance document to the Conference of the Parties for consideration.

Draft decision guidance document

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on chrysotile asbestos. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Article 17 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade provides for the development and approval of procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance with the provisions of the Convention and for the treatment of parties found to be in non compliance.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note sets out information on technical assistance and capacity building for the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The information is being set out jointly for the first time so as to allow for the overall presentation of the framework guiding the activities to strengthen technical assistance and capacity building and to highlight opportunities for joint implementation in those areas. The note also outlines convention-specific information pertaining to technical assistance and capacity-building activities, as these are important for upholding the individual objectives of the conventions. The note is structured as follows: section I explains the rationale for presenting the information jointly; section II reiterates the mandates for technical assistance and capacity-building under each of the conventions, as well as recent decisions adopted by the conferences of the parties; section III provides an overview of the implementation of the respective mandates, including a summary of parties’ responses to the questionnaires on technical assistance and capacity-building needs, activities undertaken during the biennium 20142015 and an outline of the programme of technical assistance and capacity-building for the biennium 20162017; and section IV outlines the proposed action that the conferences of the parties may wish to consider on the matter.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their simultaneous extraordinary and ordinary meetings held in May 2013, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants discussed agenda items pertaining to financial resources for chemicals and wastes under the three conventions and adopted several interrelated decisions on the matter as detailed in the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The general legal basis for the conferences of the parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to cooperate with international organizations and intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies is set out in each convention, specifically in the provisions establishing the functions of the conferences of the parties. In the case of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, it shall consider and undertake any action that may be required for the achievement of the purposes of the Convention, which could include international cooperation. Each convention also provides for the Secretariat of each of the conventions to cooperate with international bodies.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In decisions BC-11/26, RC-6/16 and SC-6/30 on financing and budgets for the biennium 2014–2015, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, among other things:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At their simultaneous extraordinary meetings held in May 2013, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants adopted the omnibus decision on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (hereinafter “2013 omnibus decision”).

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1.In its decision RC-6/14, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade approved the application form for admission as an observer set out in the annex to that decision and, among other things, requested the Secretariat to report to the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting on experiences with using the form referred to in paragraph 1 of that decision and the practices followed regarding the admission of observers to meetings of the bodies of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its meeting held on 13 and 14 September 2012, the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade was informed of the steps taken by the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants on the development of a memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention to better formalize their relationship (see UNEP/POPS/COP.6/32). The Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention expressed support for this action and noted that in the case of the Rotterdam Convention, such a memorandum of understanding would need to be entered into with both UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Bureau requested the Secretariat to consult with the legal department of FAO regarding the necessity and feasibility of such a memorandum of understanding and its possible terms and conditions. The Bureau recommended that the Conference of the Parties, at its sixth meeting, could consider the outcomes of the process under the Stockholm Convention and any results of consultations between the Secretariat and FAO.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In section III.B of the decisions on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants invited parties to consider establishing common websites and documentation centres at the national and, where appropriate, regional levels, containing available information on human health and environmental impacts relevant to the three conventions. The conferences of the parties also requested the secretariats of the three conventions to develop systems of information exchange on health and environmental impacts, including a clearing-house mechanism, with the aim of these systems serving all three conventions.

I. Introduction

1. By decisions BC-11/20, RC-6/12 and SC-6/25, the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, respectively, decided to hold the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention back to back in 2015 (hereinafter, “the 2015 meetings”). The conferences of the parties also decided that their 2015 meetings would “include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues” and would “prioritize an agenda and schedule that focus on substantive matters related to implementation of the conventions and provide sufficient time for their consideration”.