Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2001)802 - Proposal for a Council Decision approving, on behalf of the EC, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade

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dossier COM(2001)802 - Proposal for a Council Decision approving, on behalf of the EC, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent ...
source COM(2001)802 EN
date 24-01-2002
1. Under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), negotiations for a Convention for the application of the Prior Informed Consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade were concluded in March 1998.

2. The Convention was opened for signature at a Ministerial Diplomatic Conference held in September 1998 in Rotterdam. It was signed by the Community, which together with its Member States had participated actively in the negotiations, on 11 September 1998.

3. The Convention represents a major step forward in the international regulation of certain hazardous chemicals, including pesticides. Its objective is to promote shared responsibility and co-operative efforts among the Parties in the international trade of such chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm and to contribute to their environmentally sound use.

4. In parallel to this proposed decision, the Commission has put forward a proposal for a Council Regulation to implement the Convention's provisions.