Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention

Introduction

1. The sixth ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade was held at the Geneva International Conference Centre from 28 April to 10 May 2013.

1. Opening of the meeting.

2. Adoption of the agenda.

3. Organizational matters:

Item 1

Opening of the meeting

1. The sixth ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade will be held at the Geneva International Conference Centre, 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, from 28 April to 10 May 2013, in conjunction with the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the second simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the conferences of the parties to the three conventions. The meetings will be opened at 10 a.m. on Sunday, 28 April 2013 by the three presidents of the conferences of the parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The present note contains information pertaining to the election of officers by the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade at its sixth meeting. The meeting is also expected to elect the Chair of the Chemical Review Committee (see UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/6).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its first meeting, by decision RC-1/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention adopted its rules of procedure, as contained in the annex to that decision, with the exception of the second sentence of paragraph 1 of rule 45, which it agreed to maintain in square brackets to indicate that it had not been agreed and was of no effect.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The annex to the present note provides information relating to the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, covering the period from 1 November 2010 to 31 October 2012, regarding the following:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Paragraph 2 of Article 11 of the Rotterdam Convention sets out the obligations and conditions of exports of chemicals listed in Annex III to the Convention in exceptional circumstances when an importing party has failed to transmit an import response or has transmitted an interim response that does not contain an interim decision. Paragraph 2 (c) of Article 11 provides that such exports can take place if explicit consent to the import has been sought and received by the exporter through a designated national authority of the importing party. Furthermore, the importing party is required to respond to such a request within sixty days and to promptly notify the Secretariat of its decision. To date, the Secretariat has received no such notifications.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. The Chemical Review Committee held its eighth meeting in Geneva from 19 to 23 March 2012. The report of the Committee on the work of the meeting is contained in document UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.8/12.

Note by the Secretariat

Introduction
1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee at its fifth and sixth meetings reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for azinphos-methyl from Canada and Norway, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Rotterdam Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that azinphos-methyl be listed in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention and proceeded to draft a decision guidance document.

Note by the Secretariat

At its seventh meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on azinphos-methyl. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its seventh meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision document for azinphos-methyl, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/7/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

Introduction
1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee, at its seventh meeting, reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for pentabromodiphenyl ether and its commercial mixtures from Canada, the European Community, Japan and Norway, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific requirements set out in Annex II to the Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed at its seventh meeting to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that tetrabromodiphenyl ether (CAS No. 40088-47-9, CAS No. 5436 43-1 ) and pentabromodiphenyl ether (CAS No. 32534-81-9, CAS No. 60348-60-91), which are components of pentabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures, be included in Annex III to the Convention as industrial chemicals. In addition, the Committee adopted a rationale for that recommendation, agreed to establish an intersessional drafting group to produce a draft decision guidance document and agreed on a detailed workplan for its development.

Note by the Secretariat

At its eighth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on pentabromodiphenyl ether (CAS No. 32534-81-9) and pentabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By paragraph 2 of decision CRC-8/4, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for pentabromodiphenyl ether (CAS No. 32534-81-9) and pentabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/8/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

Introduction
1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee at its seventh meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for octabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures from Canada, the European Community, Japan and Norway, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Convention, the Committee concluded that the requirements of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed at its seventh meeting to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that octabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures: hexabromodiphenyl ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether, octabromodiphenyl ether, nonabromodiphenyl ether and decabromodiphenyl ether, be included in Annex III to the Convention as industrial chemicals. In addition, the Committee adopted a rationale for that recommendation, agreed to establish an intersessional drafting group to produce a draft decision guidance document and agreed on a detailed workplan for its development.

Note by the Secretariat

At its eighth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on octabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures. The draft decision document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By paragraph 2 of decision CRC-8/5, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision document for octabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/9/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction
1. In accordance with articles 5 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee at its seventh meeting reviewed notifications of final regulatory action for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and its precursors from Canada, the European Union and Japan, along with the supporting documentation referenced therein. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex II to the Rotterdam Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed at its seventh meeting to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) (CAS No. 1763-23-1), PFOS potassium salt (CAS No. 2795-39-3), PFOS ammonium salt (CAS No. 29081 56 9), PFOS lithium salt (CAS No. 29457-72-5), PFOS diethanolamine salt (CAS No. 70225-14-8) and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF or POSF) (CAS No. 307-35-7), be included in Annex III to the Convention as industrial chemicals. In addition, the Committee adopted a rationale for that recommendation, agreed to establish an intersessional drafting group to produce a draft decision guidance document and agreed on a detailed workplan for its development.

Note by the Secretariat

At its eighth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonates, perfluorooctanesulfonamides and perfluorooctanesulfonyls. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By paragraph 2 of decision CRC-8/6, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonates, perfluorooctanesulfonamides and perfluorooctanesulfonyls, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/10/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction
1. In accordance with articles 6 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee, at its seventh meeting, reviewed the proposal from Burkina Faso to list Gramoxone Super in Annex III to the Convention as a severely hazardous pesticide formulation, along with the supporting documentation. Taking into account each of the specific criteria set out in Annex IV to the Rotterdam Convention, the Committee concluded that the criteria of that Annex had been met. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to recommend to the Conference of the Parties that paraquat dichloride (formulated as emulsifiable concentrate of 276 g active ingredient/L or above, corresponding to paraquat ion at or above 200 g/L) be listed in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention as a severely hazardous pesticide formulation.

Note by the Secretariat

At its eighth meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L, corresponding to paraquat ion at or above 200 g/L. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By paragraph 2 of decision CRC-8/7, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document for liquid formulations (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) containing paraquat dichloride at or above 276 g/L, corresponding to paraquat ion at or above 200 g/L, as set out in the annex to document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/11/Add.1, and agreed to forward it, together with the related tabular summary of comments received and how they were taken into account in the preparation of the draft decision guidance document, to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction
1. At its second meeting, the Chemical Review Committee recommended the listing of chrysotile asbestos in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, approved the text of a draft guidance document on chrysotile asbestos, as set out in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/8/Add.1, and decided to forward the draft decision guidance document to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration. At its third, fourth and fifth meetings, the Conference of the Parties deliberated on the inclusion of chrysotile asbestos in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Chemical Review Committee finalized the text of the draft decision guidance document on chrysotile asbestos. The draft decision guidance document is set out in the annex to the present note for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Article 17 of the Rotterdam Convention provides for the development and approval of procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance with the provisions of the Convention and for the treatment of parties found to be in non compliance.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1. By paragraph 4 of its decision RC-5/11, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention requested the Secretariat to continue its collaboration with partners, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and its implementing agencies and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, in order to ensure that the provisions of the Rotterdam Convention are taken into account in technical assistance projects and activities carried out pursuant to decision RC-3/5.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Technical assistance needs and challenges
1. In its decision RC-5/10 concerning regional and national delivery of technical assistance, the Conference of the Parties invited developing country parties and parties with economies in transition to provide information to the Secretariat on their technical assistance needs, difficulties and any other views in this regard.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its fifth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention adopted decision RC-5/2 on increasing the number of notifications of final regulatory action and communication between parties. The decision called on parties and the Secretariat to take actions to address issues related to notifications of final regulatory action and export notifications. Matters relating to export notifications are addressed separately in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/5.

Note by the Secretariat

I.Introduction

1. In its decision RC-1/15 on cooperation with the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention requested the following from the Secretariat:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Communication with and between the parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade on matters relating to the Convention is accomplished through:

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Paragraph 7 of Article 18 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade provides the following:

Introduction

1. The sixth ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade was held at the Geneva International Conference Centre from 28 April to 10 May 2013.