Brussels, 28 April 2023
From 1 to 12 May at the meeting of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions in Geneva, the EU will join the international efforts to reduce hazardous wastes, eliminate persistent organic pollutants, and control trade and illegal trafficking of toxic chemicals and wastes. This is in line with its Green Deal ambitions to achieve a carbon-neutral, circular and toxic-free economy and society by 2030.
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said:
“Decisive multilateral action is essential for tackling the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. From developing standards for managing plastic waste to better controlling the trade of hazardous chemicals, the decisions to be taken at the upcoming COPs will have a profound impact on the global management of chemicals and waste. The EU remains committed to lead the way on these critical topics, contributing to the work on the establishment of a dedicated science-policy panel. By working together at international level, we can ensure a safer and circular future for us all.”
The Rotterdam Convention meeting will consider regulating in a stricter way the imports and exports of seven chemicals, subjecting them to the ‘Prior Informed Consent’ procedure. This links very closely to EU commitments under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability regarding EU exports of hazardous substances.
The Stockholm Convention is the only treaty of the three that eliminates or restricts the production and use of chemicals. It will consider proposals to list three hazardous chemicals used for example in plastics, or as a pesticide. If approved, countries would have to eliminate production and use of these chemicals, with some specific exemptions.
The Basel Convention will provide more detailed guidance on recent landmark decisions on the management and trade of plastics and electronic waste. The EU has been actively promoting the adoption of a new legally binding international agreement on plastics, and support actions to reduce pollution from e-waste, used vehicles and textile waste, which pose particular environmental challenges worldwide.
More information is in the news item.
Source – EU Commission