Rotterdam Convention

Rotterdam Convention

Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
The logo of the Rotterdam Convention Secretariat
Type	United Nations treaty
Signed	10 September 1998
Location	Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Effective	24 February 2004
Condition	Ninety days after the ratification by at least 50 signatory states
Signatories	72
Parties	156
Depositary	Secretary-General of the United Nations
Languages	Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish

The Rotterdam Convention (formally, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade) is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals. The convention promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to use proper labeling, include directions on safe handling, and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or bans. Signatory nations can decide whether to allow or ban the importation of chemicals listed in the treaty, and exporting countries are obliged to make sure that producers within their jurisdiction comply.

In 2012, the Secretariats of the Basel and conventions, as well as the UNEP-part of the Rotterdam Convention Secretariat, merged to a single Secretariat with a matrix structure serving the three conventions. The three conventions now hold back to back Conferences of the Parties as part of their joint synergies decisions.

The seventh meeting of the Rotterdam Conference was held from 4 May to 15 May 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Chemical Review Committee of the Rotterdam Convention decided to recommend to the seventh Conference of the parties meeting in 2015 that it consider the listing of the following chemicals in Annex III to the Convention:

As of November 2016, the convention has 156 parties, which includes 154 UN member states, the Cook Islands, and the European Union. Non-member states include the United States, Turkey, Iraq, and Angola.

At the 2011 meeting of the Rotterdam Convention in Geneva, the Canadian delegation surprised many with a refusal to allow the addition of chrysotile asbestos fibers to the Rotterdam Convention. Hearings are scheduled in the EU in the near future to evaluate the position of Canada and decide on the possibility of a punitive course of action.

In continuing its objection, Canada is the only G8 country objecting to the listing. Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Ukraine also objected. Vietnam had also raised an objection, but missed a follow-up meeting on the issue. In taking its position, the Canadian Government contrasted with India, which withdrew its long-standing objection to the addition of chrysotile to the list just prior to the 2011 conference.