Documents

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.

Note by the Secretariat

Annexes I and II to the present note set out provisional lists of meeting documents for the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention. The documents listed in annex I are grouped according to the items on the provisional agenda for the meeting to which they pertain. Those listed in annex II are organized by document symbol.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat on its activities pertaining to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012, which were undertaken in accordance with its mandate under the Convention and as decided by the Conference of the Parties. The annex to the present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. With a view to facilitating the consideration of matters relating to the Chemical Review Committee under the Rotterdam Convention, annex I to the present note contains a summary of the membership of the Committee. Annex II sets out the curricula vitae of the following experts designated as members of the Committee, pending final confirmation of their membership by the Conference of the Parties: Ms. Anja Bartels (Austria), Mr. Gilberto Fillmann (Brazil), Ms. Parvoleta Angelova Luleva (Bulgaria), Mr. Victor N'Goka (Congo), Mr. Alieu Sallah (Gambia), Ms. Mirijam Kristina Brigitta Seng (Germany), Mr. Manoranjan Hota (India), Ms. Amal Al-Rashdan (Kuwait), Mr. Gaoussou Kanouté (Mali), Ms. Leonor Alicia Cedillo Becerril (Mexico), Mr. Jung-Kwan Seo (Republic of Korea), Mr. Mohamad Saleh Makki (Saudi Arabia), Ms. Sarah Maillefer (Switzerland) and Mr. Boniface Mbewe (Zambia).

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of azinphos methyl in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out the rationales pertaining to the substance prepared by the Chemical Review Committee at its fifth and sixth meetings and the recommendation prepared by the Committee at its seventh meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of pentabromodiphenyl ether (CAS No. 32534-81-9) and pentabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out the rationale and recommendation pertaining to the substances prepared by the Chemical Review Committee at its seventh and eighth meetings, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of octabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out the rationale and recommendation pertaining to the substances prepared by the Chemical Review Committee at its seventh and eighth meetings, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonates, perfluorooctanesulfonamides and perfluorooctanesulfonyls in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out the rationale and recommendation pertaining to the substances prepared by the Chemical Review Committee at its seventh and eighth meetings, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

To facilitate consideration by the Conference of the Parties of the inclusion of 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, in Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention, the annexes to the present note set out the rationale and recommendation pertaining to the substances prepared by the Chemical Review Committee at its seventh and eighth meetings, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/15 on technical assistance and capacity building for the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, the annex to the present note sets out tables listing capacity building and training activities organized by the Secretariat from May 2011 to December 2012. Regional and national-level activities are described in table 1, global-level activities are set out in table 2 and capacity-building projects are listed in table 3. The annex to the present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, at its meeting held on 10 and 11 May 2012, agreed that it would initiate the development of a memorandum of understanding between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention in order better to formalize their relationship. The Bureau decided to send a letter to the Executive Director of UNEP to request the initiation of the development of a memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention and UNEP on the provision of secretariat functions by UNEP. The Executive Director of UNEP agreed to initiate the preparation of such a memorandum of understanding.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/15 on technical assistance and capacity building for the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, the annex to the present note contains information on Rotterdam Convention capacity-building and training activities, planned by the Secretariat to take place between 1 January and 31 December 2013. Table 1 lists capacity-building and training workshops and table 2 lists webinars and online meetings. The annex to the present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/15 on technical assistance and capacity building for the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, by its decision RC-5/10, invited developing-country parties and parties with economies in transition to provide information to the Secretariat on their technical assistance needs. In addition, in paragraph 4 of the same decision, developed-country parties were invited to provide information on the technical assistance that they could make available to developing-country parties and parties with economies in transition.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/19 on admission of observers, the annex to the present note contains a list of bodies and agencies that had not previously been admitted to meetings 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 and that are requesting admission to participate in such meetings as observers in accordance with rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure for meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention, as at 22 April 2013. The annex to the present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. In accordance with articles 5, 6 and 7 of the Rotterdam Convention, the Chemical Review Committee recommended to the Conference of the Parties that the following six chemicals, one of which is a severely hazardous pesticide formulation, be listed in Annex III to the Convention:

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its fifth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention adopted decision RC-5/14 on financing and budgets for the biennium 2012–2013, in which, among other things, it:

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note contains a report prepared by the Secretariat, as at 31 December 2012, on the implementation of the programme budget approved by the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention in decision RC-5/14. It describes expenditures incurred under the general and voluntary trust funds of the Rotterdam Convention and provides information on related voluntary contributions made by donors for the implementation of these activities. The annex to the present note has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. By its decision RC-5/1, the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention amended the financial rules for the operation of the Conference of the Parties, its subsidiary bodies and the Secretariat to read as set out in the decision. Paragraph 1 of rule 3 as so amended, which deals with the budget, requires the heads of the Convention Secretariat to dispatch, at least 90 days before the meeting of the Conference of the Parties at which a budget for a given biennium is to be adopted, budget estimates showing projected income and expenditure for each year of the biennium, along with information on the actual income and expenditure for each year of the previous biennium and estimated actual expenditure in the current biennium.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in paragraph 4 of document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/INF/17, on information on financial matters, the annexes to the present note set forth updated information on expenditures and on contributions pledged or received. The annexes, which have not been formally edited, are organized as follows:

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.6/15, on technical assistance and capacity building for the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention, the annex to the present note sets out the technical assistance programme for the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention. Section I contains the Secretariat’s programme for the delivery of technical assistance for the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. Section II sets out a programmatic approach for the delivery of technical assistance relevant to the mandates under the Rotterdam Convention, the decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the needs assessment carried out in 2012. The annex to the present note has been not been formally edited.