International:


Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

Objectives:
To set up obligations for State Parties with a view to:

• Reduce transboundary movements of wastes, subject to the Basel Convention to minimum consistent with environmentally sound and efficient management of such wastes.
  
• Minimize the amount and toxicity of hazardous wastes generated, ensuring their environmentally sound management (including disposal & recovery operations) as close as possible to the source of generation.
  
• To assist developing countries in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they generate.

Summary of Provisions:

• Parties that prohibit the import of hazardous or other wastes shall inform other Parties of their decision. The other Parties, when so informed, shall prohibit or not permit the export of hazardous wastes to Parties that have prohibited the import of such wastes.
  
• Parties to prohibit the export of hazardous or other wastes if the State of import does not consent in writing to the specific import, in the case where the State of import has not prohibited the import of such wastes.
  
• Parties to prohibit all persons under their national jurisdiction from transporting or disposing of hazardous o other type of wastes unless such persons are authorized or allowed to perform such types of operations.
  
• Parties to designate or establish one or more competent authorities as focal points to receive notifications.
  
• States of export shall not allow the generator of hazardous wastes or other wastes to commence the transboundary movement, until they have received written confirmation that the notifier has received the written consent of the State of import.
  
• Parties to cooperate with each other, to improve & achieve environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
  
• The States must be immediately informed , in case of an accident occurring during the transboundary movement of hazardous or other wastes or their disposal that is likely to present risks to human health and the environment in other States,.
  
• The Convention includes an annex establishing arbitration procedures for settling disputes between Parties.

Date of Adoption:
26.9.1986 (Vienna)

Date of entry into force:
26.2.1987

Arab Participants:
Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, U.A.E