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Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was adopted in response to strong public protest in the 1980s, following the discovery of toxic waste deposits in developing countries from abroad. The agreement, in force since May 1992, seeks to protect the health of people and the environment from the harmful effects of hazardous wastes. The provisions of the Convention revolve around the reduction of hazardous waste generation and the promotion of the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes, the restriction of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes, and the application of a regulatory system for permissible movements of hazardous waste.
Countries
| Country | Ratification/accession |
|---|---|
|
|
05/04/1993 |
|
|
27/06/1991 |
|
|
12/08/1992 |
|
|
24/08/1995 |
|
|
23/05/1997 |
|
|
15/11/1996 |
|
|
01/10/1992 |
|
|
11/08/1992 |
|
|
31/12/1996 |
|
|
07/03/1995 |
|
|
03/10/1994 |
|
|
05/05/1998 |
|
|
10/07/2000 |
|
|
23/02/1993 |
|
|
13/12/1991 |
|
|
15/10/2021 |
|
|
15/05/1995 |
|
|
04/04/2001 |
|
|
27/12/1995 |
|
|
23/01/2003 |
|
|
22/02/1991 |
|
|
03/06/1997 |
|
|
22/02/1991 |
|
|
28/09/1995 |
|
|
23/11/1993 |
|
|
07/09/1994 |
|
|
09/12/1993 |
|
|
02/12/1996 |
|
|
02/09/2011 |
|
|
18/02/1994 |
|
|
20/12/1991 |
|
|
03/03/1998 |
Highlights
Access to information (Articles 3, 4.2.f and 16.1)
Each Party shall inform the Secretariat of the Convention of the wastes considered or defined as hazardous under its national legislation and of any requirements concerning transboundary movement procedures applicable to such wastes. The Secretariat shall forthwith inform all Parties of the information it has received and Parties shall be responsible for making this information available to their exporters.
Each Party shall take measures to require that information about a proposed transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes be provided to the States concerned, to state clearly the effects of the proposed movement on human health and the environment.
Information exchage (Articles 10 and 13.1)
The Parties shall co-operate with each other in order to improve and achieve environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes. Parties shall, upon request, make available information with a view to promoting the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes, including harmonization of technical standards and practices for the adequate management of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
The Parties shall, whenever it comes to their knowledge, ensure that, in the case of an accident occurring during the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes or other wastes or their disposal, which are likely to present risks to human health and the environment in other States, those States are immediately informed.
Justice (article 4.4)
Each Party shall take appropriate legal, administrative and other measures to implement and enforce the provisions of this Convention, including measures to prevent and punish conduct in contravention of the Convention.
Information and labeling (article 4.7)
Each Party shall require that hazardous wastes and other wastes that are to be the subject of a transboundary movement be packaged, labelled, and transported in conformity with generally accepted and recognized international rules and standards in the field of packaging, labelling, and transport, and that due account is taken of relevant internationally recognized practices. Parties shall also require that hazardous wastes and other wastes be accompanied by a movement document from the point at which a transboundary movement commences to the point of disposal.
Prior consent (article 6)
State of export shall notify, or shall require the generator or exporter to notify, in writing, through the channel of the competent authority of the State of export, the competent authority of the States concerned of any proposed transboundary movement of hazardous wastes or other wastes. Such notification shall contain the declarations and information specified in Annex V A. The State of import shall respond to the notifier in writing, consenting to the movement with or without conditions, denying permission for the movement, or requesting additional information. The State of export shall not allow the generator or exporter to commence the transboundary movement until it has received written confirmation that the notifier has received the written consent of the State of import and confirmation of the existence of a contract between the exporter and the disposer specifying environmentally sound management of the wastes in question.