EU signs new hazardous products convention
Copyright 1998 European Report
September 16, 1998
The European Union proceeded, on September 11 in Rotterdam, to sign a new
international Convention on improved regulation of trace in hazardous chemicals
and pesticides, the so-called Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Convention. The
Convention, whose final negotiating session took place from March
9 to 14 in Brussels, will initially cover 22 pesticides and five industrial
chemicals.
The Convention was signed in Rotterdam during the Ministerial Conference
organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP). Some 95 countries signalled their agreement to the Convention during the
Brussels session and it will have to be ratified by at least 50 states
before it enters into force. The aim is to allow importing countries to be able
to decide, in the light of all the relevant factors, what products they want to
and are able to allow entry, in view of these countries' capacities to manage,
use, store and even process the products. It will also promote shared
responsibility and
cooperative efforts among Parties of the Convention for the risk management of
chemical substances and pesticides and their sound use. It will establish a
first line of defence against future tragedies by preventing unwanted imports
of dangerous chemicals, particularly in developing countries, which will then
have a
real decision-making power in this area.
The new Convention makes the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure mandatory,
even though hitherto it has been applied on a voluntary parties by the Parties.
The provisions state that hazardous products and pesticides that are banned or
strictly regulated in at least two countries may be exported
only with the specific consent of the importing country. The exporter is also
required to provide full information on the status of the product in question
(total ban or strictly regulated), as well as the extent to which it is
hazardous, on the use and precautions to take during use. The Convention
requires exported products to be labelled in the
same way as for exactly the same product used for domestic consumption in the
exporting country. The Convention will initially cover 22 pesticides and five
industrial chemicals, but provision has be made for it to be supplemented
without the need for a full renegotiation of the provisions.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Environment Commissioner Ritt
Bjerregaard, who signed the Convention on behalf of the EU together with the
Austrian Environment Minister, Mr Bartenstein, President of the Council,
underlined that
"the new Convention is a key step in ensuring the implementation of the Rio
Conference, particularly Chapter
19 of Agenda 21, which aims to promote and enhance the sound management of
chemicals throughout the world". She also called upon both developed and developing countries
"to use the Convention as an opportunity to give a higher profile to projects
related to chemical management" and underlined
"the important role of NGOs in evaluating and
reporting the problems associated with chemicals in developing countries and in
helping them to fulfil their obligations under the Convention".
The Convention will cover the following 22 hazardous pesticides; 2.4,5-T,
Aldrin, Captafol, Chlordane, Chlordimeform, Chlotobenzilate, DDT, Dieldrin,
Dinoseb, I,2-dibromoethane (EDB), Fluoroecetamide,
HCH, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, Lindane, Pentachlorophenol and Mercury
compounds and certain formulations of Monocrotophos, Mothamidophos,
Phosphamidon, Methly -parathion and Parathion. It will also cover the following
5 industrial chemicals: Crocidolite, Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB),
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCP). Polychlorinabed Terphenyls (PCT) and Tris (2,
3
dibromopropyl) phosphate.
Chemical industry acclaims Convention.
The International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA - to which CEFIC, the
European Chemical Industry Council, belongs) has welcomed the new Convention.
In a press release issued on September 11 in Rotterdam, the chemical industry
expressed broad support
for an agreement it has long championed and which it claims chimes with its
commitment to a responsible development policy. The industry has approved the
Convention provisions reproducing the scope, the risk evaluation approach and
the transparency procedure already covered by the PIC procedure. The latter has
hitherto been applied on a
voluntary basis by the committed parties. The Convention is a key ingredient to
ensure safe management of chemicals, but, says the industry, it cannot hope to
replace a valid national programme of rules for chemicals. The industry is said
to be particularly pleased with the balance the Convention strikes between the
obligations of the exporting and importing countries and cannot see its
implementation leading to market disruption.
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