Introduction to Basel Convention Swedish International Development Agency S ESSION 7 United Nations Environment Program Division of Technology Industry.

Introduction toBasel Convention

Swedish International Development Agency

SESSION 7

United Nations Environment ProgramDivision of Technology Industry and Economy

ACME Applying CLEANER PRODUCTION to MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS

OUTLINEObjectives of this session

1/ Introduction> What global problem was BC originally designed to

address?

2/ Basel Convention> What are the objectives of BC and how is it organised?

3/ Waste types covered by Basel Convention> What is the classification of those wastes?

4/ Implementation> How is it implemented at global and national level?

5/ Affiliated instruments> What are the 3 affiliated instruments?

6/ CP and Basel Convention> What are the link between CP and Basel Convention?

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“Thousands flee Cambodia dump scare”

Thousands of people living in the southern province of Sihanoukville have been fleeing the area amid growing alarm at the possible health risks from 3,000 tons of suspected toxic waste from Taiwan.

INTRODUCTIONA critical problema

BBC News, December 22th, 1998

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INTRODUCTIONHistorical background

In the late 1980s, a tightening of environmental regulations in industrialized countries led to a dramatic rise in the cost of hazardous waste disposal.

Searching for cheaper ways to get rid of the wastes, “toxic traders” began shipping hazardous waste to Developing Countries and to Eastern Europe.

When this activity was revealed, international outrage led to the drafting and adoption of the Basel Convention.

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INTRODUCTIONWhat makes a waste hazardous?

Different shapes and forms> liquids, solids, contained gases, sludge, etc.

4 main characteristics of hazardous wastes

IGNITABILITY

CORROSIVITY TOXICITY

REACTIVITY

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INTRODUCTIONWastes generated worldwide in 2000

Note: The principal waste exported by volume was lead and lead compounds bound for recycling.

300 millions tones of wastes

generated

90% classified as hazardous

2% exported

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BASEL CONVENTIONOverview of the Basel Convention

A global legal instrument on “the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and on their disposal”.

Adopted in 1989, entered into force in 1992.

Status of participation (2006): 168 Parties.

Affiliated instruments: > Basel Ban (1995)> Liability Protocol (1995)> Environmentally Sound Management (1999)

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BASEL CONVENTION168 Parties to the Basel Convention

Parties *Non-parties

* Afghanistan, Haiti and the United States have signed the Convention but have not yet ratified it.

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BASEL CONVENTIONOverall goal and objectives

What is the overall goal ?

“To protect, by strict control, human health and the environment against the adverse effects which may result from the generation and management of hazardous wastes and other wastes. ”

What are the further objectives ?1/ To reduce transboundary movements of hazardous waste to a minimum consistent with their environmentally sound management;

2/ To dispose hazardous wastes as close as possible to their source of generation;

3/ To minimize the generation of hazardous waste in terms of quantity and hazardousness.

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4 main characteristics of hazardous wastes:

> Toxic > Corrosive

> Reactive > Ignitable

Basel Convention gives 13 characteristics:> Listed in Annex III;

> Based on ADR rules (UN Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road or Rail);

> Represented as codes H1-H13.

Excluded from the scope of the Convention are:> Radioactive waste

> Waste derived from normal operation of a ship

WASTE COVERED BY BASELClassification by characteristics

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WASTE COVERED BY BASEL1- Toxicity

DEFINITION

Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

EXAMPLES> Spent cyanide solutions> Waste pesticides

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WASTE COVERED BY BASEL2- Corrosivity

DEFINITION

Acids or alkalis that are capable of dissolving human flesh and corroding metal such as storage tanks and drums.

EXAMPLES> Acids from metals cleaning processes e.g. ferric chloride from printed circuit board manufacture;> Liquor from steel manufacture.

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WASTE COVERED BY BASEL3- Ignitability

DEFINITIONWastes that can cause fires under certain conditions or are spontaneously combustible.

EXAMPLES> Waste oil> Used solvents> Organic cleaning materials> Paint waste

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WASTE COVERED BY BASEL4- Reactivity

DEFINITIONReactive wastes are unstable under ‘normal conditions’. They can cause: explosions, toxic fumes, gases or vapours.

EXAMPLES> Peroxide solutions> Hypochlorite solutions or solids

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WASTE COVERED BY BASEL5- Eco-toxicity

DEFINITIONEco-toxic waste is harmful or fatal to other species or to the ecological integrity of their habitats.

EXAMPLES> Heavy metals> Detergents> Oils> Soluble salts

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WASTE COVERED BY BASELWaste classification by origin

The Basel Convention’s list of hazardous waste categories (Y1 to Y18) identifies wastes from specific processes (Annex 1).

Some example: Y1 - Clinical wastes :Y6 - Wastes from the production and use of organic solvents :Y18 - Residues from industrial waste disposal operations

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Note: Besides the official, international binding, definition of the Convention, countries themselves can adopt wider and stricter definitions.

IMPLEMENTATIONMilestones

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1989 / 1999 - First decade achievements> Framework for controlling transboundary movements of hazardous wastes;

> Control system (based on prior written notification);

> Developed criteria for “Environmentally Sound Management” (ESM).

2000 / 2010 - Second decade priorities> Partnerships to increase co-operation and strategic alliances;

> Environmentally sound management and active promotion and use of cleaner technologies and production methods;

> Further reduction of the movement of hazardous and other wastes;

> Prevention and monitoring of illegal traffic;

> Improvement of institutional and technical capabilities especially for developing and EIT countries;

> Further development of regional and sub-regional centres for training and technology transfer.

IMPLEMENTATIONGlobal level

Conference of the Parties (COP)> Develops and keep under review the implementation of the Basel Convention

Basel Secretariat> Co-operates with national authority in:

- Developing national legislation- Setting up inventories of hazardous wastes- Strengthening national institutions- Assessing the HW management situation- Preparing HW management plans- Preparing policy tools

> Assist countries with technical and legal advice3

> Support Basel Convention Regional Centers

Working groups & The Committee on Partnership with industry

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IMPLEMENTATIONNational level

National Focal Point > Entity of a Party to the Basel Convention for receiving and transmitting information as required by the Convention to and from the COP.

National Competent Authority> One governmental authority designated by a Party, responsible for receiving the notifications of transboundary movements of waste.

Basel Convention Regional Centers (BCRCs)> Assist developing countries and countries in transition through capacity-building for environmentally sound management, to achieve the fulfilment of the objectives of the Convention.

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14 BCRCs worldwideRegional Centers for Training and Technology Transfers

IMPLEMENTATIONBasel Convention Regional Centers

Africa and West Asia1/ BCRC for the Arab States in Egypt2/ BCRC in Nigeria 3/ BCRC in Senegal4/ BCRC in South Africa

Asia and Pacific Region5/ BCRC in China6/ BCRC in Indonesia7/ BCRC in the South Pacific region8/ BCRC in Tehran

Central and Eastern Europe9/ BCRC in the Russian Federation10/ BCRC in Slovakia

Latin America and the Caribbean11/ BCRC in Argentina12/ BCRC in El Salvador13/ BCRC in Trinidad and Tobago14/ BCRC for Latin America and Caribbean region in Uruguay

Core functions1/ Training 2/ Technology transfer 3/ Information; 4/ Consulting 5/ Awareness-raising.

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AFFILIATED INSTRUMENTSBasel Ban (1)

DEFINITIONAmendment on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal.

OBJECTIVESBan exports of hazardous wastes for final disposal, recovery, or recycling from states listed in Annex VII (mainly OECD countries) to states not listed in Annex VII (mainly non-OECD countries).

RATIFICATION STATUS> Not into force yet; 75% (=62) ratification needed to enter into force: present status 61.> Main argument for disagreement from opposing countries (such as Australia, USA, Canada): GATT-inconsistent and trade-disruptive).

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AFFILIATED INSTRUMENTSBasel Ban (2)

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AFFILIATED INSTRUMENTSLiability Protocol

DEFINITIONBasel Protocol on liability and compensation for damage resulting from transboundary movements of hazardous waste and their disposal.

OBJECTIVESProvide for a comprehensive regime for liability as well as adequate and prompt compensation for damage resulting from the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes, including incidents occurring because of illegal traffic.

RATIFICATION STATUS> 20 ratifications needed to enter into force.> Not into force yet (13 signatories)

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AFFILIATED INSTRUMENTSEnvironmentally Sound Management

Basel Ministerial Declaration on ESM of hazardous wastes

“Take all practicable steps to ensure that hazardous waste or other waste is managed in a manner which will protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects which may result from such waste” (art. 2)

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Key principles> Special attention to prevention and minimisation of hazardous and other wastes (= CP mandate)

> Requires capacity building, policy reforms and promotion and use of cleaner technologies and production methods.

CP & BASEL CONVENTIONAbout industrials

Why is there an interest for industry ?

> Industry main producer of hazardous waste.

> Directly confronted with legislation and regulations (storage, transport, disposal).

> Co-responsibility for waste minimisation.

> Can be win-win, e.g. not only cutting costs for removal but also preventing up-stream costs.

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CP & BASEL CONVENTIONCommon industrial sources

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Flammable - solvents From chemical manufacturers, laundries & dry cleaners, metal plating, tanneries, print shops etc.

Corrosive - acids and alkalisFrom cleaning & maintenance, equipment repair, vehicle body shops etc.

Reactive - bleaches and oxidizers From chemical manufacturers, laboratories etc.

Toxic and eco-toxic - heavy metals, pesticides, cyanides From metals manufacturing, photographic processing, pesticide end users etc.

Large quantity generators > 1000kg /month e.g. pharmaceutical companies

Medium quantity generators100 - 1000kg/monthe.g. laboratories, printers

Small quantity generators <100kg/monthe.g. dental surgeries, photographic processors

CP & BASEL CONVENTIONWaste generating industries

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CP & BASEL CONVENTIONSmall and Medium scale Enterprises

In developing economies, these often predominate

> Typically SME have: - low level of technology

- unskilled management

- unspecialised workers

- lack of modernisation

- poor environmental performance

> SME may account for one third of the total hazardous wastes generated;

> There are high risks from occupational and environmental exposure.

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1. Tanneries2. Textile dyeing plants3. Dyestuff producers 4. Metal working and electroplating shops5. Foundries 6. Automobile service shops and gas stations7. Lead-acid battery manufacturing/recycling 8. Chemical industries/laboratories9. Paint shops10. Printers11. Photographic processors12. Dry cleaners

CP & BASEL CONVENTION12 key sectors (SE Asia 1990)

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CP & BASEL CONVENTIONThe CP linkage

What is the role of Cleaner Production practitioners?

> Use the CP methodology to identify opportunities in industry to reduce their generation of hazardous waste;

> Use the Basel Convention requirements as an additional driving force for industry and government to more actively use the CP tools and methodologies;

> Create links between the Convention and private sector;

> Build CP capacity in the Basel Convention Regional Centers so as to in the centers to promote CP< and to create synergies between CP practitioners and BCRC.

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What Cleaner Production practitioners can do?

> Promote existing relevant Cleaner Production guidelines and manuals for tackling priority waste streams;

> Develop new materials tailored to the needs of the Convention;

> Offer knowledge of the information sources on ESM for the relevant waste streams;

> Conduct demonstration projects for ESM in your countries in the priority waste generating sectors;

> Conduct training on ESM tailored to local conditions;

> Provide technical assistance services;

> Provide policy advice and lobby for Cleaner Production policies and legislation in your country.

CP & BASEL CONVENTIONCapacity Building and ESM

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Strengthen link between the private sector and the Convention

Include Basel implementation actors in CP partnerships

Joint training on environmentally sound management

Join forces in implementation projects

Cooperation in national reporting

CleanerProductionActivities

Basel Convention

CP & BASEL CONVENTIONSynthesis

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CONCLUSIONEnd of session 7

Thank you for your attention…

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Any questions?