- The Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, adopted it in 1998, and it became effective on February 24, 2004.
- Rooted in the voluntary PIC procedure initiated by UNEP and FAO in 1989, the Convention concluded on February 24, 2006.
- Its scope encompasses pesticides and industrial chemicals that Parties have banned or significantly restricted for health or environmental reasons and have been formally proposed for inclusion in the PIC procedure.
OBJECTIVE
- The Rotterdam Convention mandates participating parties to uphold shared responsibilities and collaborative efforts when dealing with specific hazardous chemicals on a global scale.
- It aims to foster collective accountability in the international trade of these substances, which pose risks to both human health and the environment.
- The convention seeks to facilitate the exchange of information regarding the properties of these chemicals among its participants, promoting environmentally responsible practices in the use of such hazardous compounds.
MEMBERS
The convention boasts 163 parties, consisting of 158 UN member states, along with the Cook Islands, the State of Palestine, and the European Union. Notably, the United States is among the non-member states. India joined the Rotterdam Convention on May 24, 2005, and its implementation within the country took effect on August 22, 2005.
ROTTERDAM CONVENTION PROVISIONS
The Rotterdam Convention encompasses the following key provisions:
- Inclusion of Outlawed or Strictly Regulated Chemicals:
- The convention addresses industrial chemicals and insecticides that are either prohibited or subject to stringent regulations.
- Consideration for Annex III Inclusion:
- Any concerns regarding industrial chemicals and pesticides prompt their potential inclusion in Annex III of the convention.
- Contents of Annex III:
- Annex III compiles a list of 52 chemicals, comprising 35 pesticides (including three formulations deemed extremely hazardous), 16 industrial chemicals, and one chemical falling into both pesticide and industrial chemical categories.
- Scope Expansion for PIC Requirement:
- In addition to substances requiring Prior Informed Consent (PIC), Annex III may encompass pesticides and chemicals posing risks in poor or transitional economies.
- Decision Guidance Document (DGC):
- A Decision Guidance Document (DGC) offers comprehensive information about the substances featured in Annex III.
- Options for Member Parties:
- Member parties have various options concerning substances listed in Annex III, including:
- Permitting import
- Prohibiting import
- Permitting import with specific restrictions
- Member parties have various options concerning substances listed in Annex III, including:
- Consideration for International Trade Impact:
- Nations importing chemicals must make decisions that ensure they do not adversely affect international trade.
CONFERENCE OF PARTIES
Article 18 of the Rotterdam Convention established the Conference of the Parties (COP) as its governing body. Comprising governments from countries that have accepted, ratified, or acceded to the convention, the COP plays a crucial role in facilitating the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention. The decisions made at COP meetings contribute significantly to the effective execution of the convention.
Key functions of the Conference of the Parties include:
- Review and Evaluation:
- The COP reviews and evaluates the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention. This involves an assessment of chemicals submitted for review by the Chemical Review Committee.
- Work Programme and Budget Approval:
- The COP is responsible for reviewing and approving the convention’s work programme and budget for each biennium. This ensures the allocation of resources in accordance with the goals and objectives of the convention.
- Establishment of Subsidiary Body:
- At its inaugural meeting, the Conference of the Parties established a subsidiary body known as the Chemical Review Committee. This committee plays a key role in scrutinizing and advising on chemicals that warrant review.
- Meeting Frequency:
- Conferences of the Parties are typically convened once every two years. These periodic gatherings provide a platform for member countries to collectively address issues and make decisions pertaining to the convention.
- Shared Secretariat and Independence:
- The Rotterdam Convention, along with the Stockholm and Basel Conventions, shares a secretariat. Although they operate collectively under the umbrella term BRS Convention, each convention maintains legal independence in its activities.
Rotterdam Convention – Chrysotile Asbestos and India’s Position
- Chrysotile Asbestos Overview:
- Chrysotile asbestos is part of a group of six naturally occurring minerals known as asbestos. These minerals consist of soft, flexible fibers with fire-resistant properties, making them extremely hazardous. Notably, chrysotile asbestos is identified as a carcinogenic substance, capable of causing mesothelioma.
- Rotterdam Convention Annex III Addition:
- There is ongoing debate about adding chrysotile asbestos to Rotterdam Convention Annex III, a list that subjects substances to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure. However, achieving unanimous agreement among parties on its inclusion has been a challenge.
- India’s Position:
- India, following the PIC procedure, has objected to the listing of asbestos in Annex III. Despite the ban on asbestos mining in the country, the Fiber Cement Product Manufacturer’s Association of India opposed its inclusion. The association argued that no studies conducted in India have demonstrated the health effects of chrysotile exposure.
- Government and Industry Perspectives:
- While the Ministry of Environment acknowledges the need to phase out asbestos and explore alternatives, its widespread use in India persists. Despite efforts by organizations like the Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI) advocating for an asbestos-free India, challenges remain.
- International Dynamics:
- Canada, previously opposing the inclusion of chrysotile, changed its stance in September 2012, no longer obstructing its accession to the convention. However, at the 2015 Rotterdam Conference of Parties, several major chrysotile-producing and exporting nations, including Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Cuba, and Zimbabwe, expressed opposition to such inclusion.
FAQs – Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent
1. What is the Rotterdam Convention, and when did it come into effect?
A: The Rotterdam Convention, adopted in 1998 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, became effective on February 24, 2004. The convention builds upon the voluntary PIC procedure initiated by UNEP and FAO in 1989, concluding on February 24, 2006.
2. What is the primary objective of the Rotterdam Convention?
A: The convention aims to establish shared responsibilities and collaborative efforts among participating parties when dealing with hazardous chemicals globally. It seeks to promote collective accountability in the international trade of these substances, emphasizing information exchange for environmentally responsible usage.
3. How many member parties does the Rotterdam Convention have, and who are they?
A: The convention boasts 163 parties, including 158 UN member states, the Cook Islands, the State of Palestine, and the European Union. Notably, the United States is among the non-member states. India became a party on May 24, 2005.
4. What chemicals does the Rotterdam Convention address?
A: The convention addresses pesticides and industrial chemicals that parties have banned or significantly restricted for health or environmental reasons. These chemicals are formally proposed for inclusion in the PIC procedure.
5. What are the key provisions of the Rotterdam Convention?
A: Key provisions include the inclusion of outlawed or strictly regulated chemicals, consideration for Annex III inclusion, contents of Annex III, scope expansion for PIC requirement, and the provision of Decision Guidance Documents (DGC).
6. How does Annex III operate in the Rotterdam Convention?
A: Annex III compiles a list of chemicals, including pesticides and industrial chemicals, subject to the PIC procedure. Member parties can decide to permit import, forbid import, or allow import with specific restrictions for substances listed in Annex III.
7. What is the role of the Conference of the Parties (COP) in the Rotterdam Convention?
A: Article 18 of the convention establishes the Conference of the Parties (COP) as its governing body. The COP reviews and evaluates the convention’s implementation, approves the work programme and budget, and oversees the Chemical Review Committee.
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