RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/CTE/W/6
31March 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-0768)
Committee onTrade andEnvironment
ADESCRIPTION OFINTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS
DEALING WITH TRADE INDOMESTICALLY PROHIBITED GOODS AND
OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Note bytheSecretariat
ThisNote hasbeenprepared fordiscussion under itemseven oftheCommittee 's
Ministerial work programme inresponse torequests forbackground information oninternational
agreements andinstruments which dealwithtrade indomestically prohibited goods andother
hazardous substances. Itbuilds onPC/SCTE/W7 andwork which wascarried outbytheGATT
Working Group onDomestically Prohibited Goods, specifically DPG/W/4/Rev.1 andL/6872.1
TheNote provides up-to-date information onthemembership, product coverage and
operational procedures of12international andplurilateral agreements andinstruments. Tothe
Secretariat 'sknowledge, these arealltheagreements andinstruments thatarecurrently inplace in
thisarea. TheNote doesnotcover regional orbilateral instruments. Itshould benoted thatin
thecaseofseveral oftheinstruments covered (particularly theAmended London Guidelines for
theExchange ofInformation onChemicals inInternational Trade andtheFAO Code ofConduct
ontheDistribution andUseofPesticides), negotiations areunderway toexpand andimprove the
provisions oftheinstruments.
There wasageneral viewexpressed attheCommittee 'smeeting inFebruary thatthework
oftheWTO inthisareashould notduplicate work accomplished orunderway inother
international agreements andinstruments. TheSecretariat 'spreliminary assessment ofwhere
potential "gaps" might existintheprovision ofinformation about exports ofdomestically
prohibited goods (DPGs) andother hazardous substances toWTO Members under these other
international agreements andinstruments isasfollows:
Product coverage
Coverage ofhazardous wastes, chemicals andpesticides bytheinternational agreements
andinstruments isveryextensive. Totheextent thatgapsdoexist, theSecretariat doesnothave
thenecessary expertise toidentify them. Inmeetings oftheGATT Working Group onDPGs and
intheCommittee 'smeeting inFebruary 1995, certain delegations expressed theconcern thatin
particular consumer products, certain pharmaceuticals forbothhuman andanimal use,cosmetics
andfoodstuff, suchasfoodadditives, mayrepresent gapsincoverage.
1SeealsoUNEP, Selected International Environmental Agreements: Information Note, Environment andTrade Unit, November 1994.WT/CTE/W/6
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Membership
Duetodifferences between themembership oftheWTO andthose international
agreements orinstruments dealing withthisissue, gapsmight existintheflowofinformation
between WTO Members whoareParties tothose agreements orwhohaveadopted instruments
andWTO Members whoarenon-Parties ornon-participants.
Procedures
Differences intheprocedures usedinthedifferent international agreements and
instruments leadtodifferences intheamount, periodicity, etc.ofinformation which isexchanged
among Parties. Whether these differences amount tosignificant "gaps" isnotpossible forthe
Secretariat todetermine onthebasis oftheinformation available. However, theSecretariat would
presume thatParties totheagreements andinstruments haveestablished totheirsatisfaction
adequate procedures forinformation exchange inthisarea.
TheNote isstructured asfollows:
I.INFORMATION EXCHANGE MECHANISMS DEALING WITH DOMESTICALLY
PROHIBITED GOODS AND OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
II.INTERNATIONAL AND PLURILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS
DEALING WITH TRADE INDOMESTICALLY PROHIBITED GOODS AND OTHER
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
A. LEGALLY BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
1. Montreal Protocol onSubstances thatDeplete theOzone Layer, UNEP, 1989.2
2. Basel Convention ontheControl ofTransboundary Movements ofHazardous
Wastes andtheirDisposal, UNEP, 1992.
3. Convention Concerning Safety intheUseofChemicals atWork, ILO, 1990.
4. 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic inNarcotic Drugs andPsychotropic
Substances, UN,1990.
5. 1971 Convention onPsychotropic Substances, UN,1976.
6. 1961 Single Convention onNarcotics, UN,1964, asAmended by1972 Protocol,
1975.
B. LEGALLY BINDING PLURILATERAL AGREEMENTS
7. Decision Concerning theControl ofTransfrontier Movements of
Wastes Destined forRecovery Operations, OECD, 1992.
C. VOLUNTARY INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS
8. Amended London Guidelines fortheExchange ofInformation onChemicals in
International Trade, UNEP, adopted 1989.
9. Code ofEthics onInternational Trade inChemicals, UNEP, adopted 1994.
2Unless otherwise indicated, thedateisthatatwhich theagreement came intoforce.WT/CTE/W/6
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10. International Code ofConduct ontheDistribution andUseofPesticides, FAO,
adopted 1985.
11. Certification Scheme ontheQuality ofPharmaceutical Products Moving in
International Trade, WHO, adopted 1975.
D. VOLUNTARY PLURILATERAL INSTRUMENTS
12. Decision-Recommendation ontheOECD Notification System on
Consumer Safety Measures, OECD, adopted 1989.
APPENDIX I:Summary chart ofthemembership, product andsubstance coverage, andgeneral
procedures oftheselected instruments.
APPENDIX II:Listofcountries thathaveratified thelegally binding agreements covered inthe
Note
I.INFORMATION EXCHANGE MECHANISMS DEALING WITH DOMESTICALLY
PROHIBITED GOODS AND OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Agreat dealofwork hasbeenundertaken byUNorganizations andprogrammes andother
agencies toassist intheenvironmentally sound management ofhazardous substances. UNEP,
FAO, WHO, andtheOECD havedeveloped andoperate guidelines andprocedures for
notification andexchange ofinformation inseveral areas related toDPGs andother hazardous
substances. Thefollowing section describes themain information exchanges inoperation inthe
areaofhazardous wastes, chemicals andpesticides, pharmaceuticals andconsumer products.
(a)Hazardous wastes
Information exchange concerning thetransboundary movement ofhazardous wastes is
covered under theBasel Convention ontheControl ofTransboundary Movement ofHazardous
Wastes andTheir Disposal, 1992 andtheOECD Control System ascontained inthe
1992 Decision Concerning theControl ofTransfrontier Movements ofWastes Destined for
Recovery Operations, which aredescribed inSection II.
(b)Chemicals andpesticides
There isalarge volume ofinternational activity inthefieldofinformation exchange on
chemicals andpesticides. Some ofthework doneindifferent organizations overlaps andasa
direct result there hasbeenagreat dealofeffort toensure thattheprovisions ofdifferent schemes
arecoordinated. Since theUNCED in1992 andinorder toimplement Chapter 19ofAgenda 21,
which deals withtheenvironmentally sound management oftoxic chemicals, there havebeen
developments inorder to:(i)expand andaccelerate theinternational assessment ofchemical
risks; (ii)harmonize theclassification andlabelling ofchemicals; (iii)exchange information on
toxic chemicals; (iv)establish riskreduction programmes; (v)prevent illegal traffic intoxic and
dangerous products; and(vi)strengthen national capacities forthemanagement ofchemicals.
TheIntergovernmental Forum onChemical Safety wasestablished by114participating
countries attheInternational Conference onChemical Safety inApril 1994 tocoordinate
intergovernmental exchange ofinformation onchemical riskmanagement. Also, theWT/CTE/W/6
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Interorganisational Programme fortheSound Management ofChemicals wassetuptocoordinate
theactivities ofFAO, WHO, UNEP, ILO, UNIDO andtheOECD inthisarea. Thetwomain
obstacles totheenvironmentally sound management ofchemicals which havebeenidentified inthe
context ofthisprogramme arethelackofknowledge oftherisksthatmany chemicals poseto
human health andtheenvironment andthelackofcapability andcapacity, particularly in
developing countries, tomanage chemical risk.3
There areseveral main international sources ofinformation onchemicals. Oneisthe
International Register ofPotentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC), established in1976, astheUNEP
response totheneedtomanage aninternational information exchange mechanism onchemicals.
Agenda 21mandates UNEP toimprove assistance totheinternational community tomake better
useofexisting information resources ontoxic chemicals andwaste inorder tomanage andreduce
health andenvironmental risksposed bychemicals throughout theirlifecycle. Chemical
management isbased ontheoperation oftheIRPTC databankforchemicals andaninternational
network ofpartners andcapacity building. Inorder toassist decision makers inmaking informed
decisions andassessments ofthepotential harms chemicals maypose, IRPTC hasadatabank
which contains more than12,5000 chemicals (mainly pesticides) anditproduces dataprofiles,
integrated datasetscovering, interalia,physical-chemical properties, environmental fate,
toxicity/ecotoxicitiy andwaste management. TheIRPTC legalfile,themost widely known ofthe
IRPTC databases, contains regulatory information onapproximately 9,000 chemicals withregard
totheiruses, emissions, labelling, export/import, occupational exposure, consumer products, food
andtransport. UNEP/IRPTC arealsoresponsible fortheimplementation oftheAmended London
Guidelines andthePrior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure withFAO, described more
extensively intheNote.
Asstipulated intheAmended London Guidelines, UNEP/IRPTC isresponsible forthe
coordination ofthenetwork ofDesignated National Authorities, currently 128DNAs, including
processing anddisseminating Notifications ofControl Actions toDNAs, concerned international
organizations andinformation networks. IRPTC alsooperates thePICDatabank which isusedas
theinformation exchange mechanism inorder toimplement thePICprocedures. Itcontains
notifications ofbanned andseverely restricted chemicals andnotification decisions forchemicals
included inthePICprocedure aswellasinformation concerning DNAs. TheIRPTC coordinates
withUNEP/UNITAR aTraining Programme ontheImplementation ofthePICprocedure which
hasasitsobjective toassist developing countries intheimplementation ofthePICprocedure and
inestablishing national information systems forthemanagement ofchemicals andchemical safety.
Thesecond, theConsolidated ListofProducts Whose Consumption and/or Salehavebeen
Banned, Withdrawn, Severely Restricted orNotApproved, wasmandated bya1982 General
Assembly Resolution ontheProtection Against Products Harmful toHealth andtheEnvironment.
Itisprepared jointly bytheUN,WHO andUNEP/ IRPTC. TheConsolidated List,firstissued in
1983 andrevised annually, isbased onwork already doneinUNEP, FAO, WHO, ILO,
GATT/WTO andtheUNCentre onTransnational Corporations (now partofUNCTAD). Its
objective istoassist inthedissemination ofinformation togovernments onproducts harmful to
health andtheenvironment. TheListcontains bothgeneric, chemical andbrand names aswellas
thenames ofallmanufacturers andashort reference tothedecisions taken bygovernments that
relate tobans, withdrawals orsevere restrictions ofproducts. TheListisprimarily areference
3SeeProgress within theUNSystem, andbytwoother intergovernmental organizations, inimplementing Chapter 19ofAgenda 21:
Environmentally Sound Management ofToxic Chemicals, TaskManager 'sReport fortheUNCommission onSustainable Development,
1994.WT/CTE/W/6
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document, although itcontains some information onconsumer products which arehazardous
because oftheirchemical composition. Themost recent revision oftheConsolidated Lististhe
fifthissue of1994.
Interorganizational cooperation andcoordination hasbeenrepeatedly emphasized bythose
involved intheareaofchemicals. Inthisrespect, theInternational Programme forChemical
Safety (IPCS), setupin1980 asajointprogramme between WHO, UNEP andILO, willbe
broadened toinclude FAO, UNIDO andtheOECD inorder tostrengthen andcoordinate activities
relating tochemical safety. TheIPCS isacooperative undertaking among intergovernmental
organizations orprogrammes thatconsent towork together topromote theenvironmentally-sound
management ofchemicals. Through theIPCS, activities inrelation tochemical safety are
coordinated, including scientific riskassessment, technology transfer, promotion ofriskreduction,
harmonization anduseofinternationally acceptable methods related tochemicals, andresearch on
safer alternative chemicals.
Recent attention intheareaofchemicals revolves around theproposal foralegally binding
application ofthePICprocedure forcertain chemicals andpesticides. BoththeInternational
Conference onChemical Safety andtheCommission onSustainable Development (CSD) have
recommended thatUNEP, together withFAO, continue todevelop aPICConvention, whereby
Parties would beobliged toapply thePICprocedure tobanned orseverely restricted chemicals
andpesticides ascontained respectively intheAmended London Guidelines andtheFAO Code of
Conduct.
Inthisrespect, theproposal forabanontheexport ofdomestically prohibited chemicals
from OECD tonon-OECD countries wasmentioned intheChairman 'sSummary oftheSecond
Session oftheCSD inMay1994.4Following thisproposal, several participants atthe
UNEP/FAO informal consultative meeting inDecember 1994, onissues related tothe
development ofaPICConvention, mentioned suchabanondomestically prohibited chemicals.
Inpreparation forthedevelopment ofalegally binding instrument ontheapplication ofthe
PICprocedure, UNEP andFAO areconducting astudy oninternational trade inwidely prohibited
chemicals.5Inaddition, thefirstmeeting ofUNEP 'sExpert Group onInternational
Environmental Agreements andTrade, 30-31 March 1995, willexamine therelationship between
trade-related measures which maybeincluded intheproposed PICConvention andinternational
trade rules contained intheWTO. ThisExpert Group willdiscuss, interalia,theelements which
might beincluded inaPICConvention, theimplication oftheproposed banonexport of
domestically prohibited chemicals from OECD member countries, work oftheWTO onDPGs,
andprovisions oftheGATT 1994 andrelated trade agreements which mayberelevant in
considering trade measures tobeincluded inaPICConvention.6
Asitiscurrently operating, thePrior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure isavoluntary
procedure which isadministered jointly byUNEP andFAO under theAmended London
Guidelines andtheFAO Code ofConduct. TheFAO andUNEP established aJoint Programme
ontheImplementation ofthePICprocedure in1992, whereby agroup ofexperts wasformed to
facilitate itsoperation. BoththeLondon Guidelines andtheFAO Code ofConduct adopted the
PICprocedure in1989.
4E/1994/33, E/CN.17/1994/20, pp.45-46.
5UNEP/Trade/IEA/1/3, 13March 1995.
6UNEP/Trade/IEA/1/6, 13March 1995.WT/CTE/W/6
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ThePICprocedure isameans forformally obtaining anddisseminating thedecisions of
importing countries astowhether theywishtoreceive future shipments ofhazardous chemicals.
Theaimistopromote ashared responsibility between exporting andimporting countries in
protecting human health andtheenvironment from theharmful effects ofcertain hazardous
chemicals. Theprocedure isasfollows. Participating countries nominate aDesignated National
Authority (DNA) toserve asafocal point fortheoperation oftheprocedure which includes
pesticides andindustrial andconsumer chemicals thathavebeenbanned orseverely restricted for
health orenvironmental reasons bytheparticipating governments. Todate, 17chemicals have
beenincluded. Pharmaceuticals, radioactive materials andfoodadditives areexcluded.
Countries regularly provide information oncontrol actions tobanorseverely restrict
chemicals through Notification ofControl Action forms which aremaintained intheIRPTC
database. Anychemical banned orseverely restricted inatleastonecountry after1January 1992
iseligible forinclusion intheprocedure. Chemicals restricted prior tothisdateareincluded if
control actions were taken infiveormore countries. Foreachchemical subject totheprocedure,
aDecision Guidance Document (DGD) isdeveloped andcirculated toDNAs inorder tohelp
governments assess therisksconnected withthehandling anduseofthese chemicals. TheDNA
prepares anImporting Country Response (ICR) stating theconditions under which itallows
import. These import decisions aresummarized andcompiled bytheFAO/UNEP Secretariat and
distributed toDNAs biannually.
Importing countries arerequested toensure thatnational import control authorities, importers
and,asfaraspossible, users areinformed onaregular basis ofallnotifications andresponses
received under theprocedure. Import decisions must apply uniformly toimports from all
exporting countries andtoanydomestic manufacturing ofthechemicals. Achemical should not
beexported without theconsent oftheimporting country; however, theexport mayproceed if
there havebeenprevious shipments tothatcountry orifthechemical isapproved inthatcountry.
Exporting countries should ensure thatPICdecisions made byparticipating importing countries
arecommunicated totheirexporters, industry andanyother relevant authorities inorder toensure
thatexports donotoccur contrary tothese decisions.
Recent discussions inthecontext oftheAmended London Guidelines haveresulted ina
mandate being sought from theUNEP Governing Council inMay1995 tostartnegotiations for
thedevelopment ofalegally binding instrument fortheapplication ofthePICprocedure inthe
London Guidelines andtheFAO Code ofConduct by1997.7TheFAO Council hasalready
agreed todevelop suchaninstrument. Thetrade-related elements oftheproposed PIC
Convention areoutlined inPC/SCTE/W/7, pp.16-17. Theobjective oftheConvention would be
tomake legally binding thePICprocedure anditsoperation, based ontheprocedure contained in
theAmended London Guidelines andtheFAO Code ofConduct. Thescope oftheproposed
Convention would include "chemicals banned andseverely restricted forhealth andenvironmental
reasons andhazardous pesticide formulations which maybecausing health [and/or environmental]
problems under conditions ofuseincountries thatdonothaveadequate infrastructure."8
TheOECD Council Recommendation andGuiding Principles onInformation Exchange
Related toExport ofBanned orSeverely Restricted Chemicals, 1984 provides guiding principles
fortheexchange ofinformation related toexports ofbanned orseverely restricted chemicals as
7SeePC/SCTE/W/7, pp.14-17, 22December 1994 andtheAnnex toUNEP/PIC/WG.1/4/5, 4March 1995, pp.15-31, on"Elements
which might beincluded inalegally binding instrument forthemandatory application ofthePICprocedure."
8UNEP/PIC/WG.1/4/5, 15April 1994, p.17.WT/CTE/W/6
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prepared byanexport group established under theOECD Special Programme ontheControl of
Chemicals. These principles were incorporated intomuch ofthework undertaken byUNEP in
thisareaandformed alarge element ofthebasis forthework donebyFAO onpesticides. The
Recommendation covers anychemical subject toaban,orsevere restriction ontheuseofthe
chemical inorder toprotect human health orenvironment. These recommendations andprinciples
laytheprimary responsibility fortheprotection ofhealth andtheenvironment from hazards
associated withimported chemicals ontheimporting country. However, theyrecommend thatif
anybanned orseverely restricted chemical isexported, information beprovided from the
exporting country totheimporting country, including non-OECD members, toenable thelatter to
make timely andinformed decisions onwhether toimport agiven chemical. Ifabanned or
severely restricted product isexported, theimporting country should beinformed, ifpossible
before exportation takes place, thatsuchanexport isexpected, informed oftheidentity or
chemical specification ofthechemical, given adescription ofthecontrol action taken domestically
bytheexporting country, andnotified ofthecontact point from which supplementary information
canbeobtained.
(c)Pharmaceuticals
TheWHO operates aCertification Scheme ontheQuality ofPharmaceutical Products Moving
inInternational Commerce based onitsGuidelines onGood Practises intheManufacture and
Quality Control which provides information onspecific products from identified manufacturers
issued bythecompetent authority oftheexporting country upon therequest oftheimporting
authority oranother interested party. Certificates areusually requested atthetimeofproduct
registration, or,intheabsence ofaregistration system, when aproduct isfirstimported, and
particularly when themanufacturer isunknown. ThisScheme isexplained indetail inSection II
asavoluntary international instrument.
(d)Consumer products
TheOECD established anotification procedure concerning product safety in1973. The
Council Recommendations concerning theSafety ofConsumer Products of1979 andRecall
Procedures forUnsafe Products SoldtothePublic of1981 callongovernments ofMember
countries toensure thatthose goods thatarebanned orwithdrawn from salewithin theirterritories
because theyaresohazardous thattheypresent asevere anddirect danger tolife,health orsafety
ofanyconsumer ofthose goods, arenotexported toother countries. In1989, these provisions
were reviewed andformalized inaCouncil Decision -Recommendation ontheOECD
Notification System onConsumer Safety Measures, which isdescribed inSection IIasavoluntary
plurilateral instrument.WT/CTE/W/6
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II.OBJECTIVES, PRODUCT AND SUBSTANCE COVERAGE AND GENERAL
PROCEDURES OFINTERNATIONAL AND PLURILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND
INSTRUMENTS DEALING WITH DPGs AND OTHER HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCES
A.LEGALLY BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
1.Montreal Protocol onSubstances thatDeplete theOzone Layer, UNEP, 1989
(i) Objectives andnature oftheagreement
Theobjective istoprovide legally binding guidelines forthereduction ofconsumption and
production ofspecified substances thatdeplete theozone layer.
(ii) Coverage ofproducts orsubstances
Theoriginal controlled substances, whether existing alone orinamixture, arelisted in
Annex AoftheProtocol: fivechlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) andthree halons. Itexcludes,
however, manufactured products which contain these substances (i.e.aerosol cans, refrigerators,
air-conditioners, heatpumps, polyurethane prepolymer oranyfoam containing ormanufactured
withacontrolled substance).
TheProtocol wasamended substantially attheSecond Meeting oftheParties inLondon,
1990 andagain attheFourth Meeting oftheParties inCopenhagen, 1992. Annex Bcontains the
controlled substances oftheLondon Amendments: carbon tetrachloride andmethyl chloroform.
TheCopenhagen Amendments arecontained inanAnnex Clistofcontrolled substances:
hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) andmethyl bromide.
(iii) General obligations andcontrol procedures
Thebasic obligation oftheProtocol istoeliminate production andconsumption ofcontrolled
substances bytheyear2000. TheProtocol laysdown aschedule forreduction bystages of
production andconsumption. Since itmandates reductions inlevels ofconsumption anddefines
consumption asthesumofproduction andimports, minus exports, itisimplicitly assumed that
Parties willgradually reduce andeliminate imports andexports ofcontrolled substances. The
method ofimplementation ofthisreduction intrade among Parties totheProtocol islefttoeach
Party todetermine. TheProtocol provides forassessments ofitscontrol measures every four
years based onavailable scientific, environmental, technical andeconomic information furnished
byexpert panels. Concerning trade withnon-Parties, theProtocol contains provisions laying
down specific dates afterwhich imports from andexports tonon-Parties aretobebanned.
Atime-lag oftenyears forcompliance withcontrol measures isallowed forAnnex 5
developing country Parties whose annual consumption ofcontrolled substances waslessthan
0.3killogrammes percapita on1January 1989.
(iv) Obligations ofcountries asexporters
TheProtocol imposed anobligation tobanexports tonon-Parties ofcontrolled substances
listed inAnnex Afrom 1January 1993. TheLondon Amendments of1990 revised thephase-out
ofalltheinitial gases (CFCs andhalons) bydeveloped countries to2000. Carbon tetrachloride
andother fully-halogenated CFCs aretobephased outby2000, methyl chloroform by2005, andWT/CTE/W/6
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HCFC useistoberestricted toaminimum. TheCopenhagen Amendments of1992 revised the
phase-out ofallCFCs, carbon tetrachloride, andmethyl chloroform bydeveloped countries to
1996. Halons aretobebanned by1994. HCFCs aretobephased outby2030 andHBFCs are
tobebanned by1996. Methyl bromide consumption istobefrozen by1995 at1991 levels until
further discussion. Bothamendments allow exports ofcontrolled substances tonon-Parties infull
compliance withtheProtocol control measures.
(v) Obligations ofcountries asimporters
Developments relating totheimport banonproducts containing controlled substances andon
products produced with, butnotcontaining controlled substances include anelaboration ofalistof
products containing controlled substances inAnnex Awhich entered intoforce inMay1992, a
decision thatabanonimports ofproducts produced with, butnotcontaining controlled substances
wasnotfeasible, andadecision nottoelaborate alistofproducts containing controlled
substances, inorder tobantheirimport, forAnnex B.
2.Basel Convention ontheControl ofTransboundary Movements ofHazardous Wastes and
theirDisposal, UNEP, 1992
(i) Objectives andnature oftheagreement
Theobjective istoregulate thetransboundary movements ofhazardous wastes inorder to
reduce thegeneration ofhazardous wastes toaminimum andencourage treatment anddisposal of
hazardous wastes close totheirsource ofgeneration andbased onenvironmentally sound
management.
(ii) Coverage ofproducts andsubstances
TheConvention defines "wastes" assubstances orobjects which aredisposed of,orare
intended tobedisposed of,orarerequired tobedisposed ofbytheprovisions ofnational law.
TheConvention lists47categories ofcontrolled wastes inAnnexes IandIIoftheConvention.
Wastes aretreated ashazardous iftheypossess anyofthe13hazardous characteristics enumerated
inAnnex III.Awaste (defined orcatalogued intherelevant national legislation) which issubject
toaproposed transboundary movement, iscontrolled under theConvention ifitcorresponds toa
category listed inAnnex Iandexhibits oneormore oftheAnnex IIIhazardous characteristics, or
ifitislisted under Annex II.Radioactive wastes andthose which derive from thenormal
operations ofashipareexcluded astheyarecovered byother international instruments.
(iii) General obligations andcontrol procedures
TheBasel Convention provides forastrict control system ofhazardous wastes based onprior
informed consent. Inaddition, eachParty shall: (i)prohibit allpersons under itsnational
jurisdiction from transporting ordisposing ofsuchwaste unless suchpersons areallowed to
perform suchtypes ofoperations, and(ii)ensure thattheobligation under theConvention to
manage suchwastes inanenvironmentally sound manner arenottransferred totheStates of
import ortransit. The"environmentally sound management ofhazardous wastes orother wastes"
isdefined astaking allpracticable steps toensure thathazardous wastes orother wastes are
managed inamanner which willprotect human health andtheenvironment against theadverse
effects which mayresult from suchwastes.WT/CTE/W/6
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Parties totheConvention shall:
- prohibit ornotpermit exports ofwastes totheStates which haveprohibited such
imports;
- notpermit exports ofwastes toanon-Party;
- notallow theexport ofwastes fordisposal within theareasouth of
60degrees latitude (basically onlyAntarctica);
- permit exports ofsuchwastes totheState ofimport onlyifthelatter
consents inwriting tothespecific import;
- notallow theexport ofsuchwastes todeveloping countries ifithas
reason tobelieve thatwastes willnotbemanaged inanenvironmentally
suitable manner; andshallrequire thatthose thatarepermitted are,in
fact,managed inanenvironmentally sound manner intheState ofimport;
- ensure thatthetransboundary movement ofhazardous wastes onlybe
allowed iftheState ofexport doesnothavethetechnical capacity andthe
necessary facilities, capacity orsuitable disposal sitestodispose ofthe
wastes inquestion inanenvironmentally sound manner, orthewastes in
question arerequired asarawmaterial forrecycling orrecovery
industries intheState ofimport, orthetransboundary movement in
question isinaccordance withother criteria tobedecided bytheParties,
provided those criteria donotdiffer from theobjectives ofthis
Convention;
- shallrequire thatinformation about aproposed transboundary movement
ofwastes beprovided totheStates concerned thatstates clearly theeffects
oftheproposed movement onhuman health andtheenvironment;
- shallrequire thatsuchwastes thataretobethesubject oftransboundary
movement arepackaged, labelled andtransported inaccordance withthe
recognised international standards andregulations;
- shallrequire thatsuchwastes beaccompanied byamovement document
from thepoint atwhich atransboundary movement commences tothe
point ofdisposal;
(iv) Obligations ofcountries asexporters
TheSecond Meeting oftheConference oftheParties inMarch 1994 adopted theDecision to
banallexports ofhazardous wastes which aredestined forfinaldisposal from OECD to
non-OECD countries andphase outby31December 1997 alltransboundary movements of
hazardous wastes which aredestined forrecycling orrecovery operations from OECD to
non-OECD countries.WT/CTE/W/6
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Theintra-OECD andintra-non-OECD transboundary movement ofhazardous wastes is
permitted pursuant totheConvention 'sprior informed consent procedure, whereby theState of
export hasthefollowing obligations:
- tonotify through itscompetent national authority theauthorities inthe
importing State ofanyproposed transboundary movement ofwastes;
- tonotallow thegenerator orexporter tobegin themovement untilithas
received written confirmation thattheexporter hasreceived thewritten
consent oftheState ofimport andthattheexporter hasreceived from the
State ofimport confirmation oftheexistence ofacontract between the
exporter andtheimporter specifying environmentally sound management
ofthewastes;
- tonotallow themovement tobegin untilithasreceived thewritten
consent oftheState oftransit;
- toberesponsible forensuring thatthedisposal iscompleted asspecified.
(v) Obligations ofcountries asimporters
Parties exercising theirrighttoprohibit theimport ofwastes shallinform other Parties ofthe
decision. They shallprevent theimport ofsuchwastes iftheyhavereason tobelieve thatthe
wastes would notbemanaged inenvironmentally sound way.
TheState ofimport shallrespond totheexporter inwriting, consenting tothemovement with
orwithout condition, denying permission, orrequesting additional information. Iftheimport is
allowed, theimporter must inform boththeexporter andtheauthority oftheState ofexport ofits
receipt ofthewastes, andofthecompletion ofdisposal asspecified inthenotification.
3.1990 Convention Concerning Safety intheUseofChemicals atWork, ILO, 1993
(i) Objectives andnature oftheagreement
Theobjective istoensure thatallchemicals areevaluated todetermine theirhazards, provide
information toemployers andworkers concerning chemicals usedatwork andtoestablish
principles forprogrammes toensure thatthese chemicals areusedsafely.9
(ii) Coverage ofproducts andsubstances
TheConvention covers chemical elements andcompounds, andmixtures thereof, whether
natural orsynthetic andapplies toallbranches ofeconomic activity inwhich chemicals areused
intheworkplace (production, handling, storage, transport, disposal andtreatment ofwaste
chemicals, release ofchemicals from work activities andthemaintenance, repair andcleaning of
equipment forchemicals).
9Theprovisions oftheChemicals Convention, 1990 aretobeapplied inconjunction withtheRecommendation Concerning Safety
intheUseofChemicals atWork, Recommendation No.177,ILO, 25Juneof1990.WT/CTE/W/6
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(iii) General obligations andcontrol procedures
Pursuant totheConvention allchemicals shallbeclassified andhazardous chemicals aretobe
labelled. Requirements formaking orlabelling chemicals andchemical safety datasheets are
established bythecompetent national authority, inaccordance withnational orinternational
standards. Forhazardous chemicals, chemical safety datasheets containing detailed essential
information regarding theiridentity, supplier, classification, hazards, safety precautions and
emergency procedures shallbeprovided toemployers.
(iv) Obligations ofexporting countries
Exporting member States shallcommunicate toanyimporting country hazardous chemicals
domestically prohibited forreasons ofsafety andhealth atwork andthereasons forthis.
(v) Obligations ofimporting countries
Theresponsibilities forsuppliers (manufacturers, importers ordistributors) aretoensure that
chemicals havebeenclassified andmarked andlabelled ashazardous inaccordance withthe
Convention andthatchemical safety datasheets areprepared forhazardous chemicals.
There areprovisions forworkers tohavetherighttoremove themselves from danger
resulting from theuseofchemicals andtohaveaccess toanyinformation required tobekept
pursuant totheConvention.
4.1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic inNarcotic Drugs andPsychotropic Substances, 1990;
5.1971 Convention onPsychotropic Substances, 1976; and
6.1961 Single Convention onNarcotics, 1964, asAmended by1972 Protocol, 1975
(i) Objectives andnature oftheagreements
Theobjectives ofthe1988 Convention aretoprevent andcombat drugabuse through
controlling theillicit supply ofnarcotic drugs andpsychotropic substances andtoprevent trade in
andthediversion ofmaterials andequipment fortheirillicit production ormanufacture. The
objective ofthe1961 and1971 Conventions istocontrol thelicitsupply ofnarcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances respectively.
(ii) Coverage ofproducts andsubstances
The1988 Convention reinforces andsupplements themeasures provided inthe1961 and
1971 Conventions which apply tonarcotic drugs andpsychotropic substances, respectively.
Narcotic drugs include opium anditsderivatives: morphine, codeine andheroine; other narcotic
drugs ofman-made origin suchasmethadone andpethidine, aswellascannabis andcocaine.
Psychotropic substances covered include mainly hallucinogens, stimulants anddepressants. Drugs
arecategorized according totheiraddictive properties, theirtherapeutic value andtherisksarising
from theirabuse inschedules annexed totherespective Conventions. TheCommission on
Narcotic Drugs, ontherecommendation oftheWHO determines which newsubstances should be
included. There havebeentensubstances, usedinthemanufacture ofdrugs andnarcotic
substances, added tothelist.WT/CTE/W/6
Page13
(iii) General obligations andcontrol procedures
The1988 Convention compliments the1961 and1971 Conventions byseeking tocontrol the
traffic inillicit narcotic drugs andpsychotropic substances. There areprovisions forconfiscation
andextradition ofcontrolled drugs andsubstances which areillegally traded. The1961 and1971
Conventions were primarily designed forthecontrol oflicitnarcotic drugs andpsychotropic
substances respectively. Under the1988 Convention, asystem ofpermits wasestablished to
primarily control theproduction, consumption anddistribution within andbetween Parties.
B.LEGALLY BINDING PLURILATERAL AGREEMENTS
7.Decision Concerning theControl ofTransfrontier Movements ofWastes Destined for
Recovery Operations, OECD, 1992
(i) Objectives andnature oftheinstrument
Theobjective oftheDecision istoregulate theexport ofwastes destined forrecovery within
theOECD through acontrol system, thedevelopment ofwhich wasrecommended inthe1991
Decision-Recommendation ontheReduction ofTransfrontier Movements ofWaste (seebelow).
ThisDecision islegally binding forallOECD member countries. Itcontains thenecessary
provisions todevelop whatisreferred toastheOECD Control System. ThisDecision was
adopted asamultilateral agreement under Article 11oftheBasel Convention ontheControl of
Transboundary Movements ofHazardous Wastes andTheir Disposal.
(ii) Coverage ofproducts andsubstances
TheDecision defines wastes asmaterials other thanradioactive materials intended for
disposal forspecified reasons, which arelisted. Disposal operations arespecified inlistsof
operations which donotleadandmayleadtothepossibility ofresource recovery, recycling,
reclamation, direct re-use oralternative usesandoperations. TheControl System classifies waste
destined forrecovery operations intothree categories --green, amber andredlists, andaspecific
control regime isestablished foreach. Revisions havebeenmade tothese liststhrough
twoamendments, inJuly1993 andJuly1994.10
(iii) General obligations andcontrol procedures
TheOECD Control System establishes different levels ofcontrol forwastes inthegreen,
amber andredlistsranging from regular commercial control (green) tostricter controls
(amber andred). Wastes destined forrecovery operations included onthegreen listispermitted
tomove among OECD Member countries toward recovery operations subject toallexisting
controls normally applied incommercial transactions. Wastes ontheamber listissubject toa
simplified control procedure, considering thatitpresents alower overall risk(than redlistwastes)
when itisdestined forrecovery operations. Movements ofamber wastes must benotified in
advance andconsent isassumed ifnoobjection islodged byanyconcerned countries within a
thirty daylimitforresponding (thiscanalsobedecided inadvance forcertain types ofshipments
bythecompetent authorities). Formovement ofwastes ontheredlist,prior written consent of
theimporting andtransit countries isneeded within thirty daysfrom receipt ofthenotification.
10SeeOECD, TheOECD Control System forTransfrontier Movements ofWastes Destined forRecovery Operations: Guidance Manual,
OECD Environment Monographs No.96,1995, pp.58-73 forthelistsofwastes astheywere revised in1994.WT/CTE/W/6
Page14
Wastes destined forrecovery havebeenassigned tooneoranother listinaccordance witha
number ofcriteria referring bothtothecharacteristics ofthewaste itself andtothemethod of
management andrecovery. Allredandamber waste shipment contracts must specify whois
responsible forthewaste, must beaccompanied byatracking document andtheconsignee must
notify receipt ofthewaste.
TheControl System doesnotapply towastes destined forfinaldisposal ortransfrontier
movements toorthrough non-OECD countries, which iscovered under theBasel Convention.
Ifhazardous waste which isbeing transported between OECD Member countries passes through a
transit country which isnotanOECD Member, therules oftheBasel Convention apply.
AReview Mechanism hasbeenestablished toenable theOECD Council toreview proposals
forrevising thelists(including application, deletion orreclassification). TheControl System was
implemented inMember countries through theenactment ofnational legislation.
Four OECD Council Actslaidthegroundwork forandestablished theprinciples which were
incorporated inthe1992 OECD Control System. InFebruary 1984, theCouncil adopted the
Decision-Recommendation onTransfrontier Movements ofHazardous Wastes C(83)180, which
instructs Member countries tocontrol transfrontier movements ofhazardous waste byensuring
thatthecompetent authorities ofthecountries concerned areprovided withadequate andtimely
information regarding thetypeofwastes andplanned movement ofthewaste toensure sound
management. However, itdidnotprovide anyoperational action forMember countries.
InJune1986, theCouncil adopted theDecision-Recommendation onExports ofHazardous
Wastes from theOECD Area C(86)64, which binds Member countries toempower their
competent authorities toprohibit theexport ofhazardous wastes tonon-OECD countries in
appropriate instances. Itstipulates thatcontrols onsuchtransfrontier movements tonon-Member
countries must beatleastasstrict ascontrols governing movements toMember countries and
must beformally approved bytheimporting (non-Member) country. Aswell, itprovides that
movements ofhazardous wastes tonon-Member countries must beprohibited ifthewaste disposal
facility within thejurisdiction ofthenon-Member country isconsidered tobeunsuitable.
TheCouncil adopted theDecision onTransfrontier Movements ofHazardous Wastes C(88)90
inMay1988 which defines theterms "waste" and"disposal" andwhere Member countries agree
tocontrol acertain number ofwastes which allofthem considered hazardous. Acorelistof
hazardous wastes tobecontrolled wasdeveloped andthiswasincorporated intheControl System
of1992. TheDecision further provided thatallother wastes notmentioned inthecorelistbut
considered tobehazardous intheexporting orimporting Member country alsobesubject to
controls. Also, itcontained listscovering generic types ofpotentially hazardous wastes,
constituents ofpotentially hazardous wastes, hazardous characteristics anddisposal activities which
maygenerate potentially hazardous wastes andthose which donot.11
TheDecision-Recommendation ontheReduction ofTransfrontier Movements ofWastes,
C(90)178, adopted bytheCouncil inJanuary 1991, requires thatwastes which arenotdestined for
recovery operations bedisposed oftotheextent possible intheterritory oftheMember country in
which thewaste isgenerated, consistent withenvironmentally sound andefficient management
practices. TheDecision provides thatMember countries should develop disposal capacity for
wastes thatcurrently cannot bemanaged within theirterritory andreport ontheirplans forthe
11SeeOECD, Ibid., pp.80-95 forthelists.WT/CTE/W/6
Page15
environmentally sound management ofwastes within theirterritory in1995. Where thisisnot
possible, countries areencouraged toprovide fortheenvironmentally sound management ofthese
wastes through bilateral orregional plans agreed atthegovernmental level. ThisDecision also
callsforasystem thatcontrols transfrontier movements ofwastes being transported torecovery
facilities andassuchserves asthelegalbasis forthe1992 Decision which established the
OECD Control System outlined above.
C.VOLUNTARY INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS
8.Amended London Guidelines fortheExchange ofInformation onChemicals inInternational
Trade, UNEP, 1989
(i) Objectives andnature oftheinstrument
Theobjective istoprovide avoluntary instrument toassist government inregulating
international trade inchemicals through theexchange ofscientific, technical, economic andlegal
information onchemicals which arebanned orseverely restricted. TheGuidelines were amended
in1989 toincorporate thePrior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure forbanned orseverely
restricted chemicals, administered jointly byUNEP andFAO.
(ii) Coverage ofproducts andsubstances
TheGuidelines areaimed atregulating banned orseverely restricted chemicals. A"banned
chemical" means achemical which has,forhealth andenvironmental reasons, beenprohibited for
allusesbynational governmental action. A"severely restricted chemical" means achemical for
which, forhealth andenvironmental reasons, virtually alluseshavebeenprohibited bynational
governmental action, butforwhich certain specific usesremain authorized. TheGuidelines do
notapply topharmaceuticals; radioactive materials; chemicals imported, ininsignificant
quantities, forthepurpose ofresearch, oraspersonal orhousehold effects; orfoodadditives.
However, States maychoose toapply theGuidelines topharmaceuticals andfoodadditives.
BoththeAmended London Guidelines andtheFAO Code ofConduct contain provisions for
theidentification ofchemicals forinclusion inthePICprocedure. Designated National
Authorities submit inventories ofdomestically banned orseverely restricted chemicals tothe
International Register ofPotentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC). Onthebasis ofthese
notifications, IRPTC identifies allchemicals banned orseverely restricted byfiveormore
countries andintroduces those intothePICprocedure. Currently, 17chemicals havebeen
included inthePICprocedure. When itbecomes fullyoperational, anynotification ofabanned
orseverely restricted chemical which entered intoforce after1January 1992 willresult inits
inclusion intheprocedure. Acutely hazardous pesticides thatarenotnecessarily banned or
severely restricted inanycountry, butwhich areknown tocause health orenvironmental
problems, particularly indeveloping countries, alsoareincluded intheGuidelines.
(iii) General obligations andcontrol procedures
Thenotification procedure oftheGuidelines iscoordinated through Designated National
Authorities (DNAs) which exchange information withparticipating States onavoluntary basis
concerning banned orseverely restricted chemicals through theInternational Register ofWT/CTE/W/6
Page16
Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC) andtheFAO/UNEP Joint Programme onImplementation of
thePICProcedure. Participating countries taking measures toregulate chemicals should:
- establish andstrengthen legislative andregulatory systems forimproving
control andmanagement ofchemicals;
- create national registers oftoxic chemicals, bothindustrial chemicals and
pesticides;
- prepare manuals anddirectories formore effective information collection
anddissemination; and
- designate anational governmental authority (orauthorities) to
communicate withDNAs ofother participating countries andwith
international organizations concerned.
(iv) Obligations ofcountries asexporters
Allexporting countries areexpected toparticipate inthePICprocedure andrespect the
decision ofimporting countries topermit import anduseofcertain chemicals. Itis,however,
opentocountries toparticipate intheinformation exchange procedures oftheGuidelines without
participating inthePICprocedure. They mayalsoatanytimewithdraw from thePICprocedure.
Iftheexport ofadomestically banned orrestricted chemical which hasbeennotified totheIRPTC
occurs, thecountry ofexport should takesteps toprovide theDNA intheimporting country with
thefollowing minimum information: (i)acopyof,orreference oftheinformation provided atthe
timeofnotification ofcontrol action toIRPTC; (ii)indication thatanexport ofchemical
concerned willoccur orisoccurring; and(iii)anestimate ofthequantity tobeexported annually
aswellasanyspecific shipment inspection. Thepurpose inproviding suchinformation isto
remind theDNA intheimporting country oftheoriginal notification toIRPTC regarding the
control action andtoalertittothefactthatanexport willoccur.
Allparticipating countries should ensure thatchemicals exported from theirterritories are
subject tonolessstringent requirements forclassification, packaging andlabelling, than
comparable products destined foruseintheState ofexport.
(v) Obligations ofcountries asimporters
Participating importing countries should ensure thatactions taken withregard toanimported
chemical arenotmore restrictive thanthose applied tothesame chemical produced fordomestic
useorimported from aState other thantheonethatsupplied theinformation. TheDNA inan
importing country shallrespond within 90daysafterreceiving aDecision Guidance Document on
achemical included inthePICprocedure, totheIRPTC indicating itsdecision whether ornotit
willpermit future import anduseofthePICchemical.
Ifaparticipating importing country doesnotrespond within 90days, thestatus quoshould
continue. Thismeans thatthechemical should notbeexported without theexplicit consent ofthe
importing country, unless itisapesticide which isregistered intheimporting country orisa
chemical, theuseorimportation ofwhich hasbeenallowed byother governmental action inthe
importing country. Anyfinalorinterim decision should becommunicated tothenational
competent authority responsible forcontrolling imports sothatitcantakeappropriate import
control actions under itsauthority.WT/CTE/W/6
Page17
9.Code ofEthics onInternational Trade inChemicals, UNEP, 1994
(i) Objectives andnature oftheinstrument
Theobjective istosetprinciples andguidance forprivate sector participants governing
standards ofconduct intheproduction andmanagement ofchemicals ininternational trade, taking
intoaccount theirentire lifecycle, withthepurpose ofreducing riskstohuman health andthe
environment which might beposed bysuchchemicals. TheCode enhances theobjectives ofthe
Amended London Guidelines forprivate sector participants. Bytheimplementation oftheCode,
theprivate sector participants areexpected toenter intovoluntary commitment tohelpachieve the
objectives oftheAmended London Guidelines, i.e.,toincrease chemical safety andtoenhance the
sound management ofchemicals through theexchange ofinformation onchemicals ininternational
trade.
(ii) Product andsubstance coverage
TheCode applies notonlytochemicals ininternational trade butisgenerally applicable toall
chemicals whether exported orretained fordomestic use,consistent withtheideathatthere should
notbeadouble standard vis-a-vis exported anddomestically marketed chemicals withrespect to
health, safety andtheenvironment. TheCode doesnotapply topharmaceuticals, radioactive
materials, small quantities ofchemicals imported forresearch, chemicals imported aspersonal or
household effects orfoodadditives.
(iii) General obligations andcontrol procedures
Private sector participants involved intheinternational trade inchemicals should make a
commitment, inawritten declaration, toundertake self-regulatory measures tomeetthestandards
ofconduct setoutintheprinciples oftheCode inorder toensure thesafeproduction and
management ofchemicals indomestic andinternational trade. Thecommitment includes:
(i)increasing chemical safety andenhancing thesound production andmanagement ofchemicals,
taking intoaccount theirentire lifecycle, inallcountries byproviding government authorities and
relevant private sector participants withrelevant information onchemicals indomestic and
international trade, and(ii)complying withthePICprocedure being carried outbyUNEP and
FAO totheextent applicable toprivate sector participants, aswellasthose instruments related to
chemical accident prevention.
10.FAO Code ofConduct ontheDistribution andUseofPesticides, 1985
(i) Objectives andnature oftheinstrument
Theobjective istosetforth responsibilities andestablish voluntary standards ofconduct,
particularly where national lawsareinadequate toregulate pesticides inorder toderive the
benefits ofpesticide usewithout significant adverse effects onpeople ortheenvironment andto
promote cooperative efforts between governments ofexporting andimporting countries. The
standards ofconduct areto:(i)encourage responsible andaccepted trade practices; (ii)assist
countries which havenotyetestablished controls toregulate thequality andsuitability ofpesticide
products; and(iii)promote practices which encourage safeandefficient useofpesticides forthe
improvement ofagricultural production andofhuman, animal, andplant health withminimal
adverse effects onhumans andtheenvironment.WT/CTE/W/6
Page18
(ii) Coverage ofproducts andsubstances
TheCode applies toallpesticides which aredefined asanysubstance ormixture of
substances intended forpreventing, destroying, orcontrolling anypest,including vectors of
human oranimal disease, unwanted species ofplants oranimals causing harm during or
interfering withtheproduction, processing, storage, transport ormarketing offood, agricultural
commodities, wood andwood products oranimal feedstuffs, orpesticides which maybe
administered toanimals forthecontrol ofinsects, arachnids, orother pests inorontheirbodies.
Alsoincluded aresubstances intended foruseasaplant-growth regulator, defoliant, desiccant, or
agent forthinning fruitorpreventing thepremature falloffruit, andsubstances applied tocrops,
either before orafterharvest, toprotect thecommodity from deterioration during storage and
transport.
(iii) General obligations andcontrol procedures
TheCode stipulates thatgovernments havetheoverall responsibility andshould actto
regulate theavailability, distribution anduseofpesticides intheircountries: (i)byintroducing
necessary legislation fortheregulation ofpesticides andprovisions forenforcement, registration
schemes andinfrastructures under which products canberegistered prior todomestic use;
(ii)bycollecting andrecording datatoassess effects onhuman health ortheenvironment
following trends inuselevels; and(iii)byfollowing WHO classifications ofpesticides andFAO
packaging andlabelling guidelines.
TheCode provides thefollowing recommendations forindustry:
- toensure quality control andpackaging andlabelling specifications;
- tomonitor finalusesandproblems encountered withuse;
- toeffectively testpesticides forsafety andefficacy andmake copies ofthereports of
suchtestsavailable togovernment authorities;
- tohaltthesaleofandrecall products when safeusedoesnotseem possible;
- totakeallnecessary steps toensure thatpesticides entering international trade
conform torelevant FAO, WHO orequivalent specifications;
- toensure thatpesticides which aremanufactured forexport aresubject tothesame
quality requirements andstandards asthose applied bythemanufacturer to
comparable domestic products;
- toensure thatpesticides aretraded byandpurchased from reputable traders;
- toensure thatalladvertising isdoneinconformity withtherecommendations ofthe
Code.
With theintroduction ofthePICprocedure totheCode in1989, FAO: (i)reviews the
notification ofcontrol actions toensure conformity withtheCode; (ii)develops relevant guidance
documents; (iii)incooperation withUNEP, develops andmaintains adatabase ofcontrol actions
anddecisions taken byallmember States; and(iv)informs alldesignated national authorities andWT/CTE/W/6
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relevant international organizations of,andpublicises notifications regarding theuseand
importation ofapesticide thathasbeenincluded inthePICprocedure.
After having beennotified bythegovernment ofapesticide-exporting country ofthe
restriction ofapesticide, FAO notifies theDNAs inother participating countries inorder togive
those authorities theopportunity toassess therisksassociated withthepesticide, andtomake
timely andinformed decisions astotheirimportation anduse. Theminimum information tobe
provided should betheidentity ofthepesticide; asummary ofthecontrol action taken andofthe
reasons forit;andthename andaddress ofcontact point intheexporting country towhich a
request forinformation should beaddressed.
(iv) Obligations ofcountries asexporters
Thegovernment ofapesticide-exporting country which takes action tobanorseverely
restrict theuseorhandling ofapesticide inorder toprotect health orthedomestic environment
should notify FAO assoonaspossible oftheaction thatithastaken. Exporting countries should
advise theirpesticide exporters ofthedecisions ofparticipating importing countries andtake
appropriate legislative measures toensure thatexports donotoccur tothecontrary. Ifanexport
ofarestricted pesticide occurs, theexporting country should provide theDNA oftheimporting
country withrelevant information. Forpesticides restricted before implementation oftheCode,
aninventory ofprior control action should beprovided totheIRPTC.
(v) Obligations ofcountries asimporters
Governments ofimporting countries should establish internal procedures anddesignate the
appropriate authority forthereceipt andhandling ofinformation. Governments participating in
thePICprocedure, when advised byFAO ofcontrol actions within theprocedure, should:
(i)decide onfuture acceptability ofthatpesticide intheircountry andadvise FAO; (ii)ensure
thatgovernmental measures oractions taken withregard toanimported pesticide forwhich
information hasbeenreceived arenotmore restrictive thanthose applied tothesame pesticide
produced domestically orimported from acountry other thantheonethatsupplied the
information; and(iii)ensure thatsuchadecision isnotusedinconsistently withtheprovisions of
theGATT.
11.WHO Certification Scheme ontheQuality ofPharmaceutical Products Moving in
International Commerce, 1975
(i) Objectives andnature oftheinstrument
Theobjective istoprovide anadministrative mechanism whereby animporting country can:
(i)obtain assurance thatanimported pharmaceutical product isauthorized tobesoldinthemarket
oftheexporting country and,ifnot,information onwhynot;(ii)obtain assurance thatthe
manufacturing plant inwhich theproduct isproduced issubject toperiodic inspections and
conforms totheWHO Guidelines onGood Practices intheManufacture andQuality Control of
Drugs; and(iii)exchange information ontheimplementation ofinspections andcontrols inthe
exporting country. TheGuidelines onGood Practices areageneral guide which maybeadapted,
whenever necessary, tomeetindividual needs provided theestablished standards ofdrugquality
arestillachieved. They areintended toapply tothemanufacturing process (including packaging
andlabelling) usedintheproduction ofdrugs intheirfinished dosage forms.WT/CTE/W/6
Page20
(ii) Coverage ofproducts andsubstances
FortheCertification Scheme, "pharmaceutical product" covers anymedicine initsfinished
dosage form intended forhuman use,dosage forms ofveterinary products administered to
food-producing animals andthose starting materials (basic drugs) usedinthemanufacture of
pharmaceutical products thataresubject tocontrol bylegislation intheexporting member country.
(iii) General obligations andcontrol procedures
Participating member countries communicate totheDirector General ofWHO information
concerning thecompetent authority responsible forthecertification oftheirexports of
pharmaceutical products andanyreservations relating toparticipation intheScheme.
(iv) Obligations ofcountries asexporters
Attherequest ofaninterested party, thecompetent authority intheexporting Member
country shallcertify tothecompetent authority oftheimporting Member country that:
(i)thepharmaceutical product isauthorized forsaleordistribution within theexporting country
andifitisnotsostatethereasons whynotinthecertificate; and(ii)themanufacturing plant in
which theproduct isproduced isinspected atsuitable intervals toshow thatthemanufacturer
conforms torequirements fortheGuidelines ofGood Practices. Attherequest ofimporting
Member countries, theauthority oftheexporting Member country should provide information
pertaining toimplementation oftheGuidelines ofGood Practices, controls oftheproduct, andthe
names andfunctions ofthepersons designated tosigncertificates ofindividual batches ofexported
products.
(v) Obligations ofcountries asimporters
Thecompetent authority ofaMember country intowhich apharmaceutical product covered
bytheCertification Scheme istobeorhasbeenimported must decide upon thereceipt ofthe
certificate whether togrant orrefuse theauthorization forsaleordistribution ofthe
pharmaceutical product ortomake authorization conditional onthesubmission ofsupplementary
data. Inthecaseofquality defects ofproducts imported under theCertification Scheme thatare
considered tobeofaserious nature bytheimporting (exporting) country, thecompetent authority
oftheimporting (exporting) Member country should notify thecompetent authority ofthe
exporting (importing) Member country witharequest toinstitute enquiries.
D.VOLUNTARY PLURILATERAL AGREEMENTS
12.Decision-Recommendation ontheOECD Notification System onConsumer Safety
Measures, OECD, 1989
(i) Objectives andnature oftheinstrument
Theobjective oftheDecision-Recommendation istoformalize theOECD notification system
forconsumer goods stipulated inprevious Council Recommendations. Theattached Guiding
Principles fortheUseoftheOECD Notification System onConsumer Safety Measures clarify the
operating procedures ofthenotification system andspecify theactions needed toenable clear,
rapid reporting ofinformation withaminimum ofeffort bythereporting countries.WT/CTE/W/6
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Created in1973, theOECD notification system onsafety measures concerning hazardous
products hasbecome animportant partofasystematic exchange ofinformation intheareaof
consumer products among Member countries. Itcovers thevoluntary notification ofregulations
andstandards, product bans, withdrawals, recalls andsafety research concerning consumer
products. Inthisrespect, there arethree relevant previous OECD Council Recommendations:
Concerning theSafety ofConsumer Products, 1979, Concerning Recall Procedures forUnsafe
Products SoldtothePublic, 1981 andConcerning RiskManagement andCostBenefit Analysis in
theProduct Safety Field, 1982 thatrecommend Member countries toensure, bymeans in
conformity withtheirnational procedures, thatconsumer products thatarebanned, severely
restricted, withdrawn from saleorrecalled within theirterritories because theyareinherently
hazardous orpresent asever anddirect danger tothehealth orsafety ofconsumers ofthese goods
arenotexported toother countries. TheRecommendations areintended forconsumer products
excluding foodanddrugs, automobiles andrelated roadtransport equipment. They cover all
measures related tothese products except those which arenotlikely tobeofconcern toother
Member countries andrefertothesafety ofconsumer products without specifying therange of
products intended tobecovered. However, following theOECD 'spractice inconnection with
other product safety issues, thenotion ofconsumer products would notcomprise suchgoods
which, although theyareobviously consumer goods, arecovered byimportant specific
regulations, e.g.foodlawsandlawsconcerning pharmaceutical products, pesticides, etc.
(ii) Product andsubstance coverage
Thesystem isintended forconsumer products excluding foodanddrugs, automobiles and
related roadtransport equipment. Itcovers allmeasures related tothese products except those
which arenotlikely tobeofconcern toother Member countries.
(iii) Obligations andgeneral procedures
Itwasdecided thatmember countries should: (i)notify totheOECD allmeasures related to
thesafety ofconsumer products; and(ii)setupnational contact points incharge ofproviding and
receiving notifications. Adistinction isdrawn between general safety measures suchaslaws,
regulations, guidelines andindividual product safety measures, inparticular, bans, recalls and
public warnings. Notifications should bemade ofallnewlegislation, regulations andguidelines
relating toconsumer safety aswellasofficially published draftlegislation anddraftregulations
andindividual measures suchasbansandrecalls andother specific measures suchaspublic
warnings andvoluntary action taken byproducers and/or suppliers totheextent thatgovernment
authorities havebeeninvolved intheprocess.
TheNotification System isbased ontheconsideration thatthesystematic exchange of
information onnational consumer safety measures isaprerequisite forprogressive harmonization
ofconsumer safety standards inorder toavoid obstacles tointernational trade. Aswell, the
1989 Decision includes inthenotification system ancillary services thatareclearly related toa
consumer product ortheinstallation ofaconsumer product suchasinstructions foruse,
installation andmaintenance oftheproduct andcertain "sensitive" products which arebanned for
suchreasons asnational security, cultural interest orvarious safety andhealth reasons aswellas
other consumer products which present asafety risk. Oneofthemajor problems withthesystem
hasbeenidentified astheuneven participation ofmember countries; assuchattention isdrawn to
thefactthatexcessive concern fordefinition ofaproduct orservice should nothamper
reporting.12
12OECD, TheOECD Notification System onConsumer Safety Measures -Review, Analysis, Suggestions forFuture Action, Paris:
OECD Committee onConsumer Policy, (CCP(89)1(1st Revision)), 5September 1989, p.2.WT/CTE/W/6
Page22APPENDIX I
International andPlurilateral Agreements andInstruments
Dealing withTrade inDomestically Prohibited Goods
andOther Hazardous Substances
March 1995
Legally Binding Agreements Voluntary Instruments
International or
plurilateral
agreement or
instrument1Montreal
Protocol on
Substances that
Deplete the
Ozone Layer
(UNEP)Basel Convention
ontheControl of
Transboundary
Movements of
Hazardous Wastes
andtheir Disposal
(UNEP)Convention
Concerning Safety
intheUseof
Chemicals at
Work, "Chemicals
Convention
No.170,1990,
(ILO)Convention against
Illicit Traffic in
Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic
Substances, 1988
(UN)Single
Convention on
Narcotics, 1961
(UN)Convention
on
Psychotropic
Substances
1971
(UN)Decision
Concerning the
Control of
Transfrontier
Movements of
Wastes Destined
forRecovery
Operations
(OECD)Amended
London
Guidelines
forthe
Exchange of
Information
on
Chemicals in
International
Trade
(UNEP)Code of
Ethics on
International
Trade in
Chemicals
(UNEP)International
Code of
Conduct onthe
Distribution and
UseofPesticides
(FAO)Certification
Scheme onthe
Quality of
Pharmaceutical
Products
Moving in
International
Trade
(WHO)Decision-
Recommendation on
theOECD Notification
System onConsumer
Safety Measures, 1989
(OECD)
Date ofentry into
force oradoption1January 1989 5May 1992 4Nov 1993 11Nov 1990 1964, as
amended by
1972 Protocol,
8Aug197516Aug1976 adopted
30March 19923adopted
May 1987,
amended
1989adopted April
1994adopted
28Nov 1985,
amended
Nov 1989adopted 1975 adopted
26October 1989
Number of
countries that
have adopted or
ratified2148Parties,
London
Amendment
101Parties,
Copenhagen
Amendment
39Parties81Parties andthe
European Union5Parties 106Parties 150Parties,
amended
130Parties134Parties OECD Members
countries192
Designated
National
Authorities
from 128
countries and
theEUprivate sector
participantsamendments
adopted by
consensus bythe
25th Session of
the
FAO Conference139countries
participate
through
Designated
National
AuthoritiesOECD Member
countries
cont'd
1Annex IofL/6872, July1991, lists11international instruments dealing with trade indomestically prohibited goods andother hazardous substances. Tothislisthasbeen added theOECD Decisions of1992 and1989 andUNEP 'sCode ofEthics onInternational Trade InChemicals, 1994. The
Consolidated ListofProducts Whose Consumption and/or Salehave been Banned Withdrawn, Severely Restricted orNotApproved, 1982 isaddressed inSection Ioninformation exchange mechanisms. TheRecommendations Concerning theSafety ofConsumer Products, 1979 andRecall
Procedures forUnsafe Products Sold tothePublic, 1981 have been incorporated inthedescription oftheOECD Decision ontheNotification System onConsumer Safety Measures, 1989. Therefore, 12international andplurilateral agreements andinstruments aredescribed intheChart andthe
Note. Thesecretariats oftherelevant instruments described have been asked toconfirm theinformation contained inthisNote. TheSecretariat takes fullresponsibility foranyerrors thedocument maycontain andundertakes torevise itinthelight offurther information thatitreceives.
2Appendix IIliststhemembership ofthelegally binding agreements.
3TheDecision wasadopted bytheOECD Council andhasentered intoforce inallMember countries.Legally Binding Agreements Voluntary Instruments
International or
plurilateral
agreement or
instrument1Montreal
Protocol on
Substances that
Deplete the
Ozone Layer
(UNEP)Basel Convention
ontheControl of
Transboundary
Movements of
Hazardous Wastes
andtheir Disposal
(UNEP)Convention
Concerning Safety
intheUseof
Chemicals at
Work, "Chemicals
Convention
No.170,1990,
(ILO)Convention against
Illicit Traffic in
Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic
Substances, 1988
(UN)Single
Convention on
Narcotics, 1961
(UN)Convention
on
Psychotropic
Substances
1971
(UN)Decision
Concerning the
Control of
Transfrontier
Movements of
Wastes Destined
forRecovery
Operations
(OECD)Amended
London
Guidelines
forthe
Exchange of
Information
on
Chemicals in
International
Trade
(UNEP)Code of
Ethics on
International
Trade in
Chemicals
(UNEP)International
Code of
Conduct onthe
Distribution and
UseofPesticides
(FAO)Certification
Scheme onthe
Quality of
Pharmaceutical
Products
Moving in
International
Trade
(WHO)Decision-
Recommendation on
theOECD Notification
System onConsumer
Safety Measures, 1989
(OECD)
Product or
substance
coverage4ozone-depleting
substanceshazardous
substances as
defined in
Annexes I,II,and
III.allchemicals narcotic drugs and
psychotropic
substancesnarcotic drugs psychotropic
substanceswastes destined
forrecovery
operationsbanned or
severely
restricted
chemicalschemicals banned or
severely
restricted
pesticidespharmaceutical
productsbanned orseverely
restricted consumer
products, except food,
pharmaceuticals and
automobiles
Procedures5controls on
production and
consumptionidentify chemicals
included inPIC
procedures through
theinformation
exchange system,
IRPTCprinciples toensure
thesafeuseof
chemicals inthe
work place, systems
andcriteria for
classification of
hazardous chemicalscontrol intraffic of
illicit narcotic drugs
andpsychotropic
substancescontrol system of
licitnarcotic
drugscontrol
system of
licit
psychotropic
substancesOECD control
system for
wastes destined
forrecovery
within the
OECD (green,
amber andred
listsofwastes),
listsamended
July1993 and
July1994PIC
procedure,
voluntary
exchange of
information,
Decision
Guidance
Documents
(DGD)private
sector
participants
voluntarily
commit to
helpachieve
the
objectives of
theAmended
London
Guidelinesvoluntary
standards of
conduct, PIC
procedure
introduced in
1989 amendment
andadministered
jointly with
UNEP andthe
Amended
London
Guidelinescertificates for
specified
products
requested from
theexporting
country bythe
importing
authoritynotification procedures
forconsumer product
safety standards and
regulationsWT/CTE/W/6
Page234Theproduct orsubstance coverage foreach instrument isexplained indetail intheNote.
5Theprocedures foreach instrument areexplained indetail intheNote.WT/CTE/W/6
Page24
APPENDIX II
ListofCountries1thathaveratified thelegally binding
agreements covered intheNote
Montreal Protocol onSubstances thatDeplete theOzone Layer, UNEP, 19892
Algeria, Antigua andBarbuda*, Argentina*, Australia*, Austria*, Bahamas, Bahrain*,
Bangladesh*, Barbados*, Belarus, Belgium*, Benin*, Bolivia*, Bosnia andHerzegovina,
Botswana*, Brazil*, Brunei Darussalam*, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso*, Cameroon*, Canada*,
Central African Republic*, Chad*, Chile*, China, Colombia*, Comoros, Congo*, Costa Rica*,
Côted'Ivoire*, Croatia, Cuba*, Cyprus*, Czech Republic*, Denmark*, Dominica*,
Dominican Republic*, Ecuador, Egypt*, ElSalvador*, Ethiopia, Fiji*, Finland*, France*,
Gabon*, Gambia, Germany*, Ghana*, Greece*, Grenada, Guatemala*, Guinea*, Guyana*,
Honduras*, Hungary*, Iceland*, India*, Indonesia*, Iran(Islamic Republic of),Ireland*, Israel*,
Italy*, Jamaica*, Japan*, Jordan, Kenya*, Kiribati, Korea (Democratic People 'sRepublic of),
Korea (Republic of)*, Kuwait*, Lebanon, Lesotho*, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein*,
Lithuania, Luxembourg*, Malawi*, Malaysia*, Maldives*, Mali*, Malta*, Marshall Islands,
Mauritania*, Mauritius*, Mexico*, Monaco, Mozambique*, Myanmar*, Namibia*, Nepal,
Netherlands*, NewZealand*, Nicaragua*, Niger*, Nigeria*, Norway*, Pakistan*, Panama,
Papua NewGuinea, Paraguay*, Peru*, Philippines*, Poland*, Portugal*, Romania*,
Russian Federation, Saint KittsandNevis, Saint Lucia*, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal*,
Seychelles, Singapore*, Slovak Republic*, Slovenia*, Solomon Islands, South Africa*, Spain*,
SriLanka*, Sudan, Swaziland (Kingdom of)*, Sweden*, Switzerland*, Syrian Arab Republic,
Tanzania (United Republic of)*, Thailand*, theformer Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia, Togo*,
Trinidad andTobago*, Tunisia*, Turkey*, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda*, Ukraine,
United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom*, United States ofAmerica*, Uruguay*, Uzbekistan,
Vanuatu, Venezuela*, VietNam, Yugoslavia, Zaire*, Zambia*, Zimbabwe,
European Community*.
Basel Convention ontheControl ofTransboundary Movements ofHazardous Wastes andtheir
Disposals, UNEP, 19923
Antigua andBarbuda*, Argentina*, Australia*, Austria*, Bahamas, Bahrain*, Bangladesh*,
Belgium*, Brazil*, Canada*, Chile*, China, Comores, Côted'Ivoire*, Croatia, Cuba*, Cyprus*,
Czech Republic*, Denmark*, Ecuador, Egypt*, ElSalvador*, Estonia, Finland*, France*,
Greece*, Hungary*, India*, Indonesia*, Iran, Ireland*, Israel*, Italy*, Japan*, Jordan, Kuwait*,
Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein*, Luxembourg*, Malawi*, Malaysia*, Maldives*, Mauritius*,
Mexico*, Monaco, Netherlands*, NewZealand*, Nigeria*, Norway*, Oman, Panama, Pakistan*,
Peru*, Philippines*, Poland*, Portugal*, Republic ofKorea*, Romania*, Russian Federation,
Saint KittsandNevis, Santa Lucia*, Saudi Arabia, Senegal*, Seychelles, Slovak Republic*,
Slovenia*, South Africa*, Spain*, SriLanka*, Sweden*, Switzerland*, Syria, Tanzania*,
Trinidad andTobago*, Turkey*, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom*, Uruguay*, VietNam,
Zaire*, Zambia*, European Economic Community*.
1TheCountries followed byanasterisk are,on9March 1995, voting ornon-voting participants intheWTO General Council.
2Asof1March 1995.
3Asof15March 1995.WT/CTE/W/6
Page25
Convention Concerning Safety intheUseofChemicals atWork, ILO, 19904
China, Colombia*, Mexico*, Norway*, Sweden*.
1961 Single Convention onNarcotics, UN,19645
Afghanistan6,Algeria, Antigua andBarbuda*, Argentina*, Armenia, Australia*, Austria*,
Bahamas, Bahrain*, Bangladesh*, Barbados*, Belarus, Belgium*, Benin*, Bolivia*, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Botswana*, Brazil*, Brunei Darussalam*, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso*, Burundi*,
Cameroon*, Canada*, Cape Verde, Chad*, Chile*, China, Colombia*, Costa Rica*,
Côted'Ivoire*, Croatia, Cuba*, Cyprus*, Czech Republic*, Denmark*, Dominica*,
Dominican Republic*, Ecuador, Egypt*, Ethiopia, Federated States ofMicronesia, Fiji*,
Finland*, France*, Gabon*, Germany*, Ghana*, Greece*, Guatemala*, Guinea*, Haiti*,
Holy See,Honduras*, Hungary*, Iceland*, India*, Indonesia*, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
Jamaica*, Japan*, Jordan, Kenya*, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait*, LaoPeople 'sDemocratic Republic,
Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho*, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein*, Lithuania, Luxembourg*,
Madagascar*, Malawi*, Malaysia*, Mali*, Malta*, Marshall Islands, Mauritania*, Mauritius*,
Mexico*, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco*, Myanmar*, Nepal, Netherlands*, NewZealand*,
Nicaragua*, Niger*, Nigeria*, Norway*, Oman, Pakistan*, Panama, Papua NewGuinea,
Paraguay*, Peru*, Philippines*, Poland*, Portugal*, Qatar, Republic ofKorea*,
Republic ofMoldovia, Romania*, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint KittsandNevis,
Saint Lucia*, Saudi Arabia, Senegal*, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore*, Slovakia*,
Slovenia*, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa*, Spain*, SriLanka*, Sudan, Suriname*,
Sweden*, Switzerland*, Syria, Thailand*, theformer Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia, Togo*,
Tonga, Trinidad andTobago*, Tunisia*, Turkey*, Uganda*, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates,
United Kingdom*, United States ofAmerica*, Uruguay*, Venezuela*, Yugoslavia, Zaire*,
Zambia*, Zimbabwe*.
1971 Convention onPsychotropic Substances, UN,19767
Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua andBarbuda*, Argentina*, Armenia, Australia*, Bahamas,
Bahrain*, Bangladesh*, Barbados*, Belarus, Benin*, Bolivia*, Bosnia andHerzegovina,
Botswana*, Brazil*, Brunei Darussalam*, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso*, Burundi*, Cameroon*,
Canada*, Cape Verde, Chile*, China, Colombia*, Costa Rica*, Côted'Ivoire*, Croatia, Cuba*,
Cyprus*, Czech Republic*, Denmark*, Dominica*, Dominican Republic*, Ecuador, Egypt*,
Ethiopia, Federated States ofMicronesia, Fiji*, Finland*, France*, Gabon*, Germany*, Ghana*,
Greece*, Grenada, Guatemala*, Guinea*, Guyana*, Holy See,Hungary*, Iceland*, India*, Iraq,
Ireland*, Israel*, Italy*, Jamaica*, Japan*, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait*, Latvia, Lebanon,
Lesotho*, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg*, Madagascar*, Malawi*, Malaysia*, Malta*,
Marshall Islands, Mauritania*, Mauritius*, Mexico*, Monaco, Morocco*, Myanmar*,
4Asof15March 1995.
5Asof16March 1995.
6TheCountries which areParties tothe1961 Convention onlyareunderlined.
7Asof16March 1995.WT/CTE/W/6
Page26
Netherlands*, NewZealand*, Nicaragua*, Niger*, Nigeria*, Norway*, Pakistan*, Panama,
Papua NewGuinea, Paraguay*, Peru*, Philippines*, Poland*, Portugal*, Qatar,
Republic ofKorea*, Republic ofMoldova, Romania*, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts
andNevis, Saudi Arabia, Senegal*, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore*, Slovakia*, Slovenia*,
Somalia, South Africa*, Spain*, SriLanka*, Sudan, Suriname*, Sweden*, Syria, Thailand*,
theformer Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia, Togo*, Tonga, Trinidad andTobago*, Tunisia*,
Turkey*, Uganda*, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom*,
United States ofAmerica*, Uruguay*, Venezuela*, Yugoslavia, Zaire*, Zambia*, Zimbabwe*.
1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic inNarcotic Drugs andPsychotropic Substances, UN,
19908
Afghanistan, Antigua andBarbuda*, Argentina*, Armenia, Australia*, Azerbaijan, Bahamas,
Bahrain*, Bangladesh*, Barbados*, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia*, Bosnia andHerzegovina, Brazil*,
Brunei Darussalam*, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso*, Burundi*, Cameroon*, Canada*, Chile*, China,
Colombia*, Costa Rica*, Côted'Ivoire*, Croatia, Cyprus*, Czech Republic*, Denmark*,
Dominica*, Dominican Republic*, Ecuador, Egypt*, ElSalavador*, Ethiopia, Fiji*, Finland*,
France*, Germany*, Ghana*, Greece*, Grenada, Guatemala*, Guinea*, Guyana*, Honduras*,
India*, Iran, Italy*, Japan*, Jordan, Kenya*, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Luxembourg*, Madagascar*,
Malaysia*, Mauritania*, Mexico*, Monaco, Morocco*, Myanmar*, Nepal, Netherlands*,
Nicaragua*, Niger*, Nigeria*, Norway*, Oman, Pakistan*, Panama, Paraguay*, Peru*, Poland*,
Portugal*, Qatar, Republic ofMoldova, Romania*, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and
theGrenadines*, Saudi Arabia, Senegal*, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia*, Slovenia*, Spain*,
SriLanka*, Sudan, Suriname*, Sweden*, Syria, theformer Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia,
Togo*, Trinidad andTobago*, Tunisia*, Uganda*, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates,
United Kingdom*, United States ofAmerica*, Uruguay*, Venezuela*, Yugoslavia, Zambia*,
Zimbabwe*.
Decision Concerning theControl ofTransfrontier Movements ofWastes Destined forRecovery
Operations, OECD, 19929
Australia*, Austria*, Belgium*, Canada*, Denmark*, Finland*, France*, Germany*, Greece*,
Iceland*, Ireland*, Italy*, Japan*, Luxembourg*, Mexico*, Netherlands*, NewZealand*,
Norway*, Portugal*, Spain*, Sweden*, Switzerland*, Turkey*, United Kingdom* and
United States ofAmerica*.
8Asof16March 1995
9Asof16March 1995.WT/CTE/W/6
Page27