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International Treaties and Initiatives: Chemicals and Waste: Multinational Environmental Initiatives
This fact sheet provides information on multinational initiatives related to chemical production, use, disposal, and reuse. During the last quarter of the 19th century, important multilateral environmental agreements, which together cover key elements in the "production-to-disposal" management of hazardous chemicals with toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative characteristics, were negotiated. In addition, a number of important regional multilateral environmental agreements have been included in this fact sheet, which provides brief summary information and links for each entry. This fact sheet also identifies a number of international organizations and programs, as well as some U.S. activities, that address international chemical and waste hazards. This fact sheet is not comprehensive; rather, it provides a starting point for readers interested in investigating the topic.
- Multilateral environmental agreements related to chemicals and wastes
- Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making, and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
- Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
- Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR Convention)
- Convention on the Ban on the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa (Bamako Convention)
- Convention on the Long-Range Transport Air Pollutants (LRTAP)
- Convention on the Prevention of Dumping of Wastes and other Matter (London Convention)
- Convention to Ban the Import into Forum Countries of Hazardous Waste and to Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the Facific (Waigami Convention)
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of Ships (MARPOL 73/78)
- International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response, and Co-Operation (OPRC)
- Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
- The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC)
- The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS)
- International Organizations and Programs
- Some U.S. Activities and Additional Resources
Multilateral environmental agreements related to chemicals and wastes
- Aarthus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
- Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
- Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR Convention)
- Convention on the Ban on the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa (Bamako Convention)
- Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP Convention)
- Convention on the Prevention of Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)
- Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Countries of Hazardous Waste and to Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the Pacific Region (Waigani Convention)
- International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-Operation (OPRC Convention)
- Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
- Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making, and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
The Aarhus United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention
(UNECE) was adopted on June 25, 1998,
in the Danish city of Aarhus at the Fourth Ministerial Conference in the ‘Environment for Europe’ process, and entered into force on October 30, 2001. 39 European nations are
Parties to the Convention, which aims to improve public access to environmental information. The convention provides a forum for developing protocols to strengthen democratic interactions
between the public and public authorities. It also addresses processes for public participation in the negotiation and implementation of international agreements.
The Aarhus Protocol
on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers
(PRTR) was adopted on May 21, 2003, during the Fifth Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference in Kiev. The Protocol has 37 signatories and two parties to date. It is the first legally binding
international instrument on pollutant release and transfer registers. PRTRs are inventories of pollution released to all media by industrial sites and other sources. The Protocol covers releases and
transfers of greenhouse gases, acid rain pollutants, ozone-depleting substances, heavy metals, and certain carcinogens (e.g., dioxins). Releases and transfers from certain types of major point source
(e.g., thermal power stations, mining and metallurgical industries, chemical plants) are covered. Under the Protocol, information is publicly accessible via the internet free of charge.
Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
Basel Convention - U.S. EPA
Basel Convention - U.S. Department of State
The Basel Convention
on the Control of Transboundary Movements
of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was adopted in Basel, Switzerland, on March 22, 1989 and entered into force on May 5, 1992. The Basel Convention includes hazardous wastes that are explosive,
flammable, poisonous, infectious, corrosive, toxic, or eco-toxic. Annexes I-III identify the categories or waste and characteristics that the Convention covers. Annexes VIII and IX list specific wastes
identified as hazardous or non-hazardous. The Convention has 168 Parties. Although the U.S. has not ratified this treaty and is not a voting party, US representatives participate in the meetings of the
Convention.
During its first decade, a principle focus of the Convention was to establish a control system for transboundary movements of hazardous waste. Additionally, a numb er of environmentally sound
management guidelines were developed under the Convention. More recently, work of the Convention has focused on capacity building and technical assistance. In 1995 the “Basel Ban” was
adopted. This amendment to the Convention bans hazardous waste exports from Basel Annex VII countries (members of the EU, OECD, or Liechtenstein) to all other Basel Convention parties. The Basel Ban
will not come into force until ratified by three-fourths of the parties that accepted it. A 1999 Protocol on Liability and Compensation also has not yet come into force. The objective of the Protocol
is to provide for a comprehensive liability regime, as well as adequate and prompt compensation, for damage resulting from the transboundary movement of hazardous and other wastes, including incidents
occurring because of illegal traffic in those wastes. More recently, the Basel Convention formed a the Mobile Phone Partnership Initiative
with industry to addresses the environmentally-sound management of end-of-life mobile phones.
Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR Convention)
The 1992 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the
"OSPAR Convention")
provides for the application of binding
decisions concerning best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practice (BEP) to address marine pollution. It was established in response to a growing general awareness of the dangers
associated both with marine pollution by dumping and marine pollution by discharges of dangerous substances from multiple land-based sources or pipelines. The Convention includes a series of annexes
to address pollution from land-based sources, dumping or incineration, and offshore sources. The OSPAR Convention has been signed and ratified by all of the contracting parties to the original 1972
Oslo or 1974 Paris Conventions - Belgium, Denmark, the European Community, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland - and also by Luxembourg and Switzerland.
The OSPAR Commission has adopted strategies, including a Hazardous Substances Strategy,
to achieve cessation of discharges, emissions and losses of hazardous substances to the marine environment by the year 2020. The OSPAR Hazardous Substance Strategy includes list of chemicals for
priority action and substances of possible concern. The latter list consists of substances selected on the basis of their intrinsic hazardous properties - primarily persistence, toxicity, and
likelihood to accumulate. The substances on the list of chemicals for priority action are those which the OSPAR Commission has determined require particular attention. Under the OSPAR
Hazardous Substance Strategy, the Commission will develop programs and measures to identify, prioritize, monitor and control emissions, discharges, and losses of hazardous substances to the
marine environment.
Convention on the Ban on the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa (Bamako Convention)
The Bamako Convention,
adopted under the auspices of the Organization
of Africa Unity (OAU), prohibits hazardous waste imports into Africa. It was adopted at the Conference of Environmental Ministers in Bamako, Mali, on 30 January 1991. Only members of the OAU are
eligible to become Parties to the Bamako Convention. The Convention includes categories of wastes listed in Annex I. The Convention covers wastes possessing any of the characteristics listed in Annex
II, as well as any waste considered hazardous under the domestic laws of the State of import, export, or transit.
Convention on the Long-Range Transport Air Pollutants (LRTAP)
POPs PROTOCOL - U.S. Department of State
LRTAP
aims to reduce the effects of acid rain
through control of sulfur emissions. LRTAP also was the first international legally-binding instrument to deal with a range of air pollution problems on a broad regional basis. LRTAP came into force in
1983 and has 50 parties. These parties are members of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), including the United States and Canada. The Convention lays down general principles
of international cooperation for air pollution abatement and establishes an institutional framework to help achieve it. The scope of the Convention later was expanded through eight protocols.
The Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) reduces, or eliminates discharges, emissions, and losses of POPs. The
Protocol on Heavy Metals
addresses three toxic metals: cadmium, lead,
and mercury. The Protocol on POPSs entered into force in October of 2003, while the Protocol on Heavy Metals entered into force in December of that year. The U.S. is a signatory, but not a ratifying
party, for both of these protocols.
Convention on the Prevention of Dumping of Wastes and other Matter (London Convention)
THE LONDON CONVENTION - U.S. EPA
The London Convention
is a 1972 international treaty that limits the
discharge of wastes generated on land and disposed of at sea. The U.S. is among 81 parties to the Convention. The 1996 Protocol, which entered into force in March 2006, is a separate agreement to
modernize and update the London Convention. The 1996 Protocol, which incorporates both "precautionary" and "polluter pays" principles, is intended to protect the marine environment
from all sources of pollution. Contracting parties shall take effective measures to prevent, reduce, and, where practicable, eliminate marine pollution caused by dumping or incineration at sea.
Convention to Ban the Import into Forum Countries of Hazardous Waste and to Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the Facific (Waigami Convention)
The Waigani Convention
is a 1995 multilateral regional treaty adopted
in Waigani, Papua New Guinea. The Waigani Convention establishes hazardous waste and radioactive waste import and export ban requirements for the South Pacific Region. The Convention covers a broad
range of hazardous wastes, excluding those derived from the normal operations of a vessel and some radioactive wastes.
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of Ships (MARPOL 73/78)
The 1973 MARPOL Convention,
subsequently modified by a Protocol in 1978 on stricter regulations for the survey and certification of ships, is the most important global treaty for the prevention of pollution from the operation of
ships. MARPOL 73/78 includes provisions aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and pollution from routine operations - and currently includes six annexes
covering technical aspects of pollution from ships, except the disposal of waste into the sea by dumping: oil (Annex I); noxious bulk liquids carried in bulk (Annex II); harmful substances carried in
package form (Annex III); sewage from ships (Annex IV); garbage from ships (Annex V); and air emissions (Annex VI). The United States is a party to the Convention and to mandatory Annexes I and II, as
well as Annexes III, V, and VI.
International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response, and Co-Operation (OPRC)
International Maritime Organization
Parties to the 1990 International Convention on Oil Spill Preparedness, Response, and Cooperation (OPRC Convention)
are required to establish measures for dealing with pollution incidents, either nationally or in co-operation with other countries. These measures include a shipboard oil pollution emergency plan. The
Convention entered into force on May 13, 1995. A protocol to extend the Convention to cover hazardous and noxious substances was adopted in 2000: The
Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances.
Like the OPRC Convention, the Protocol aims to
provide a global framework for international co-operation in combating major incidents or threats of marine pollution. The Protocol will enter into force on June 14, 2007.
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL - U.S. EPA
The purpose of The Montreal Protocol
is to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.
The Protocol has 189 Parties, including the United States. It came into force in January 1989 to addresses chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide,
and hydrochloroflourocarbons). The Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of these compounds be phased out and establishes schedules to achieve this goal. The Vienna Convention for
the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985), which outlines States’ responsibilities for protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of ozone depletion, established the
framework under which the Montreal Protocol was negotiated. The Montreal Protocol was amended in 1990, 1992, 1997, and 1999.
The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC)
THE ROTTERDAM CONVENTION - U.S. EPA
The Rotterdam Convention
or PIC promotes shared information and
responsibility in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals. Under PIC, importing countries should receive shipments of banned or severely restricted substances only after they have
had an opportunity to make an informed decision. A total of 39 chemicals currently are subject to the PIC procedure: 24 pesticides, 11 industrial chemicals and 4 severely hazardous pesticide
formulations. The Convention establishes a process for listing new chemicals. PIC has 112 parties, not including the U.S., and the Convention entered into force on February 24, 2004.
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS)
The Stockholm Convention - U.S. EPA
The Stockholm Convention - U.S. Department of State
The United States is among over 150 Signatories to The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Under the Convention, countries commit to reduce and/or
eliminate release of the 12 POPs of greatest concern (the "dirty dozen") into the environment. The Treaty came into force on May 17, 2004. A mechanism by which other chemicals may be added is
included in the Treaty.
International Organizations and Programs
A number of international bodies have significant roles in formulating and implementing policies to reduce hazards associated with the production, use, disposal, and reuse of chemicals. Llinks to some of those organizations are below.
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Global Environment Facility
- Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)
- International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- Inter-Organization Programme for the Safe Management of Chemicals (IOMC)
- International Program on Chemical Safety (IPCS)
- International Labor Organization – InFocus Programme on Safety and Health
- North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation - (CEC)
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
- United Nations Development Program – energy and environment/chemicals management
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) – Environment, Housing and Land Management Division
- United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) – energy and environment
- United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) - chemicals, waste and environmental governance
-
World Bank – environmental and natural resources law/chemicals
Some U.S. Activities and Additional Resources
Below are links to information on EPA international activities related to chemicals:
Accidents
Air
- global warming – international
- international air and climate programs
- ozone depletion
- methane - international activities
Import/Export
- foreign trade imports initiative: scrap metal recycling
- importing and exporting new chemicals
- international import and export
- waste: import/export requirements
Industrial Ecology
Mercury
Pesticides
Right to Know
Toxics
- great lakes binational toxics strategy
- great lakes pollution prevention and toxics reduction
- international affairs: toxics
- OPPT international activities
Waste
Water