Background

For the first time in the history of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the conferences of the parties were held back-to-back from 28 April to 10 May 2013, in Geneva at the International Conference Centre. These meetings were held together to strengthen the implementation of the three conventions at the national, regional and global levels. Also, having convened these meetings back-to-back allowed for a more effective and coherent decision-making on policy, technical and budget matters, including on joint activities among the conventions and other specific matters. This included the identification of new concrete areas where synergies could be achieved.

Objectives

The objective of the webinar is to provide parties, observers and other stakeholders with an overview of the main decisions adopted during the ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the Stockholm, Basel and Rotterdam Conventions that closed their respective meetings on 10 May 2013. In addition, the webinar will introduce the outcome of the high-level segment that took place on 9 and 10 May 2013, where Ministries of the Environment, Agriculture, Health and/or Foreign Affairs joined to discuss synergies among the chemicals and wastes conventions.

1. The webinar will cover the following topics:
   1. Decisions adopted by:
   2. ExCOPs-2 to the three conventions
   3. COP-6 to the Stockholm Convention
   4. COP-11 to the Basel Convention
   5. COP-6 to the Rotterdam Convention
2. Outcome of the high-level segment
3. Follow up on the decisions adopted

Contents

1. This webinar session is scheduled to last for two hours.
2. Introduction – 5 min.
3. Presentations by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions:
   • Outcomes of ExCOPs-2 and the simultaneous ordinary sessions of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions - 20 min.
   • Outcomes of the Stockholm Convention COP-6 - 20 min.
4. Questions and Answers - 15 min.
5. Presentations by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions:
   • Outcomes of Basel Convention COP-11 - 20 min.
   • Outcomes of Rotterdam Convention COP-6 - 20 min.
   • Outcome of the high level segment - 5 min.
6. Questions and Answers – 15 min.

Target Groups

The present webinar will target:

• Official contact points, focal points, competent authorities, designated national authorities of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions;
• Basel and Stockholm Regional Centres, UNEP and FAO Regional Offices;
• Members of the working bodies of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions;
• Stakeholders interested in the outcome of the meetings;
• Permanent Missions to the UN.

Schedule

The time indicated is based on Geneva local time (UTC/GMT +2 hours).

Briefing on the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-11), the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-6), the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-6) and the second simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the conferences of the parties to the three conventions (ExCOPs-2)

Background

For the first time in the history of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, the ordinary and extraordinary meetings of the conferences of the parties will be held back-to-back from 28 April to 10 May 2013, in Geneva at the International Conference Centre.

These meetings will be held together to strengthen the implementation of the three conventions at the national, regional and global levels. Also, convening the meetings back-to-back will allow for a more effective and coherent decision-making on policy, technical and budget matters, including on joint activities among the conventions and other specific matters. This will help identifying new concrete areas where synergies could be achieved.

Objectives

The objective of the webinar was to provide parties, observers and other stakeholders with an overview of the main issues that will be discussed during the upcoming meetings of the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. In addition, the webinar introduced the schedule of work, including the organization of a high-level segment on 9 and 10 May 2013, where Ministries of the Environment, Agriculture, Health and/or Foreign Affairs will join to discuss synergies among the chemicals and wastes conventions.

The webinar covered the following topics: 

1. Organisation of work and practical arrangements of the meetings. 
2. Major issues to be considered by: 
   1. COP-11 to the Basel Convention; 
   2. COP-6 to the Rotterdam Convention; 
   3. COP-6 to the Stockholm Convention; 
   4. ExCOPs-2 to the three conventions; 
3. High-level segment.

Contents 

1. Introduction – 5 min. 
2. Presentation by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions: – 30 min. 
3. Questions and Answers – 25 min.

Target Groups

The present webinar targeted: 

• Official contact points, focal points, competent authorities, designated national authorities and delegates nominated to represent their countries during the upcoming meetings; 
• Stakeholders planning to attend, or interested in the meetings; 
• Permanent Missions to the UN.

Schedule and recordings

The webinars were conducted in English, French and Spanish.

.

Background

Currently, there are many chemicals listed under both the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions that are considered as one of congeners or isomers with other chemicals.  Additionally, there are chemicals before the Rotterdam Convention Conference of the Parties that are congeners.  Even though the COP will have the recommendation of the Chemical Review Committee on which to make a decision, it would be useful to provide simple information on the differences that occur between these chemicals and to explain how these are constructed molecularly. 

While these chemicals have the same – in the case of isomers – or similar – for congeners - chemical formulas, their properties may differ and could create confusion for those who are not fully familiar with the science of these chemicals.  This is particular relevant to the delegates to the two conventions who have to consider and make decision on listing these chemicals and even to make further recommendation at the local level on whether to import a chemical in the case of Rotterdam or to seek an exemption in the case of Stockholm.

Objectives

1. Delegates to the Rotterdam and Stockholm COPS, DNAs and OCPs for the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions have an acute understanding of ‘isomers’ and ‘congeners’;
2. Delegates to the Rotterdam and Stockholm COPS, DNAs and OCPs are familiar with the chemical construct of the relevant chemicals to be considered by the COPs in 2013;

Contents 

1. Introduction of the relevant chemicals listed and before the COPs
   • By SSB/COB
2. What are isomers and congeners
   • By POPRC and CRC selected members
3. Issues relating to the relevance of these structures to the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
   • By POPRC and CRC selected members

Target group

Delegates nominated to participate in the Rotterdam and Stockholm COPs in 2013, Stockholm Convention Official Contact Points, National Focal Points and Rotterdam Convention Official Contact Points, Designated National Authorities nominated within the framework of the two conventions, CRC and POPRC members.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background:

By its decision SC-5/22, the Stockholm Convention COP decided to undertake the assessment of funding needed by developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition to implement the Convention. It invited parties and others to provide relevant information by 30 September 2012 for consideration at the sixth meeting of the COP.

Moreover, the COP requested Parties to use a format set out in annex II of decision SC-5/22 to undertake the assessment of funding needs for 2015-2019 and to report on the resources used during the period 2010-2014. To assist parties in the filling in this format, the COP requested the Secretariat to develop an interactive information collection form.

The interactive form and related guidance has been made available to all developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition (English, French and Spanish) on the website of the Stockholm Convention Secretariat.

Objectives

1. Provide background information on the needs assessment exercise and provide guidance to Parties on the use of the interactive information collection form.
2. Offer the opportunity to Parties to ask questions and clarification on the reporting requirements and tool.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations by the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention:
   • Training session on the interactive information collection form – 20 min.
3. Discussion – 30 min.

Target group

Official contact points of developing countries parties and parties with economies in transition.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

By its decision SC-5/22, the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Stockholm Convention decided to undertake the assessment of funding needed by developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition to implement the Convention. It invited Parties and others to provide relevant information by 30 September 2012 for consideration at the sixth meeting of the COP.

Moreover, the COP requested Parties to use a format set out in annex II of decision SC-5/22 to undertake the assessment of funding needs for 2015-2019 and to report on the resources used during the period 2010-2014. To assist parties in the filling in this format, the COP requested the Secretariat to develop an interactive information collection form.

The interactive form and related guidance will be made available to all developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition (in English, French and Spanish) on the website of the Stockholm Convention Secretariat in due course.

Objectives

1. Informing Parties of the needs assessment exercise and its implications on the Financial Mechanism of the Stockholm Convention;
2. 2. Provide guidance to Parties on the use of the interactive information collection form.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations by the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention:
• Needs assessment for the period 2015-19 – 15 min.
• Training session on the interactive information collection form – 20 min.
3. Discussion – 20 min.

Target group

Stockholm Convention Official Contact points and other Party representatives

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

Keep abreast with the last decisions of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, such as:

• The historic agreement unblocking the Ban Amendment that will prohibit the export of hazardous wastes from OECD to non-OECD countries,
• The adoption of the Country-Led initiative, allowing the Ban Amendment to come into force, as the same time as establishing a regime for countries who wish to trade in waste to ensure the minimization of health and environmental impacts, ensuring adequate social and labour conditions and creating new economic opportunities.
• The adoption of the Strategic Framework for the implementation of the Convention over the years 2012-2021, which sets out a vision, guiding principles, strategic objectives, means of implementation, and indicators of achievements.
• The adoption of the Cartagena Declaration on the Prevention, Minimization and Recovery of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes.
• Together with more than 25 separate decisions on matters as wide-ranging as compliance, financial assistance, private-public partnerships, strengthening of the Regional Centres for Training and Technology Transfer and enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.

Target Groups

The present webinar will target:

• Focal points and Competent authorities nominated under the Basel Convention;
• Others government representatives and stakeholders interested in the functioning of the Basel Convention.

Schedule:

The time indicated is based on Geneva local time (UTC/GMT +1 hours).

Background:

The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention was held in Cartagena, Colombia, from 17 to 21 October 2011.

The theme of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention was “Prevention, minimization and recovery of wastes”.

Objectives:

The objective of the webinar was to enable Parties and observers to be fully prepared for the discussions and negotiations of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-10) to the Basel Convention.

The webinar covered the following topics:

• Items to be considered by COP-10 to the Basel Convention, namely; New Strategic Framework, Indonesian-Swiss Country Led Initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Convention, Basel Convention Regional Centres (BCRCs), Implementation and Compliance Committee, Programme of work and budget for 2012-2013, enhanced cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, as well as Partnerships and Capacity Building
• Organisation of work of the meeting

Target Groups:

 The present webinar targeted:

Focal points and Competent authorities nominated to represent their countries during the COP-10 to the Basel Convention;

• Signatories and stakeholders planning to attend the COP-10,
• Others government representatives and stakeholders interested in the functioning of the Basel Convention.

The webinar presented the outcomes of the COP-5 that was held on 25-29 April 2011 in Geneva.

Recording

FAQ

The webinar presented  the items that are going to be considered by COP-5 and the organisation of work.

Recording

FAQ

The webinar presented to recently nominated Official Contact Points and National Focal Points the functioning of a Conference of the Parties.

Recording

FAQ

This webinar provided information for Parties to be prepared to take a decision on the possible listing of Endosulfan at COP-5.

Recording

FAQ

Background

The POPRC, at its eighth meeting in October 2012, established working groups to work intersessionally on the following, among others: the development of draft documents on the review of several candidate persistent organic pollutants (POPs); the revision of a guidance document on alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid; the revision of draft guidance and discussion papers regarding criteria and factors for consideration during the review of candidate (POPs), including a revised draft guidance on possible impact of climate change on the work of the POPRC. Parties and observers can contribute to the intersessional work of the Committee by providing information for the development of draft documents, by providing comments for their revision and by participating as members of working groups.

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) is a subsidiary body established by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Stockholm Convention for reviewing proposals for listing of new chemicals under the Convention. In addition to its central function in this review process, the POPRC plays an important advisory role on scientific matters related to the implementation of the Convention. The Committee consists of 31 government-designated experts appointed by the COP. The Committee holds a one-week annual meeting during which it adopts decisions on the review of chemicals and other matters within its mandate. A substantial part of the work of the Committee is undertaken between meetings, by working groups that implement decisions and workplans adopted by the Committee. This webinar focused on the work being undertaken between the eighth and the ninth meeting, that would take place in October 2013.

Objectives

The objectives of the webinar are to enhance understanding of the current work of the Committee and promote participation of parties and observers in its intersessional activities.

 The webinar will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to the intersessional work of POPRC
• Overview of chemicals under review by POPRC between the 8th and the 9th meeting.
• Introduction to the Guidance on the possible impact of climate change on the work of POPRC

Target Groups

The present webinar will target:

• Official Contact Points and National Focal Points nominated to represent their countries within the framework of the Convention
• Other Government representatives concerned with the implementation of the Stockholm Convention
• Stakeholders concerned with issues pertaining to the assessment and international regulation of potentially hazardous chemicals.

Schedule for the Webinars

The time indicated is based on Geneva local time (UTC/GMT +1 hour).

Background

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) is a subsidiary body established by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Stockholm Convention for reviewing proposals for listing of new chemicals under the Convention. In addition to its central function in this review process, the POPRC plays an important advisory role on scientific matters related to the implementation of the Convention. The Committee consists of 31 government-designated experts appointed by the COP. The Committee holds a one-week annual meeting during which it adopts decisions on the review of chemicals and other matters within its mandate. A substantial part of the work of the Committee is undertaken between meetings, by working groups that implement decisions and workplans adopted by the Committee. This webinar will focus on the work being undertaken between the eighth and the ninth meeting, that will take place in October 2013.

Objectives

The objectives of the webinar are to enhance understanding of the current work of the Committee and promote participation of parties and observers in its intersessional activities.

 The webinar will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to the intersessional work of POPRC
• Overview of chemicals under review by POPRC
• Issues and common practices in the application of the Annex E criteria

Target Groups

The present webinar will target:

• Official Contact Points and National Focal Points nominated to represent their countries within the framework of the Convention
• Other Government representatives concerned with the implementation of the Stockholm Convention
• Stakeholders concerned with issues pertaining to the assessment and international regulation of potentially hazardous chemicals.

Schedule for the Webinars

The time indicated is based on Geneva local time (UTC/GMT +1 hour).

To register for a slot, please return the registration form, once completed and duly signed, to the Secretariat at: TA@pops.int. Kindly note that registration takes place on the basis of “First come, first served” (so for national webinars, for instance, once a country has registered for a specific time slot, that time slot will be unavailable to any other country). Deadlines for registration are 2 weeks prior to the start of each Webinar.

Equipment requirements

The internet-based software, Webex, will be used for the video/teleconference session which allows sharing voice and data, such as PowerPoint presentations. Webinar participants would need to use the following items: a computer, a phone, a micro, speakers and a good internet connection (any minimal data transmission requirements to indicate?). For national teams participating in a Webinar, additional equipment could be required such as a retro-projector or a screen. User instructions will be sent to registered participants 2 weeks prior to the Webinars.

Additional information

For more information, please contact:
Technical Assistance Programme
Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention
Email: TA@pops.int

Background

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) were added to the list of substances controlled under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in 2009. The Convention calls for the elimination of the production and use of these chemicals except for certain applications for which alternatives still have to be phased-in or are not yet available and that are listed in Annex B as acceptable purposes and specific exemptions. Nevertheless, the Convention also provides for the regular evaluation of the continued need for these acceptable purposes and specific exemptions. An important basis for this evaluation is the availability, suitability and implementation of alternatives to PFOS.

PFOS is a fully fluorinated substance that is commonly used as a salt or incorporated into PFOS related chemicals. Due to the unique properties of PFOS and its related chemicals as surface active agents, they have been used in a wide variety of applications. Use of PFOS and its related chemicals in open applications, as opposed to their use in closed-loop systems, can pose a potential risk of direct exposure to humans and releases to the environment. The acceptable purposes and specific exemptions listed in Annex B of the Convention include a number of open applications such as fire-fighting foams and insecticides.

The substitution of PFOS and its related chemicals with safe alternatives is key to achieving the Convention’s goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating the production and use of these chemicals. To assist parties in phasing out PFOS and its related chemicals, a guidance document on alternatives to these substances has been developed under the Convention. A technical paper on the identification and assessment of PFOS in open applications has also been developed. On the basis of this paper, the Persistent Organic Review Committee (POPRC), the scientific subsidiary body to the Convention, has prepared recommendations on alternatives to PFOS in open applications that will be considered by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention at its next meeting in April 2013.

Objectives

The objectives of the webinar are to enhance understanding of the uses of PFOS, its related chemicals and their alternatives in open applications and to raise awareness about the recommendations of POPRC on these alternatives so as to facilitate decision-making by parties on this subject at the sixth meeting of the COP.

The webinar will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to activities under the Convention pertaining to alternatives to PFOS and its related chemicals
• Overview of the chemistry and use of alternatives to PFOS in open applications
• Recommendations of POPRC on alternatives to PFOS in open applications

Contents

The webinar will last approximately one hour and will be structured as follows:

• Introduction and presentation of participants (5’)
• Introduction to activities under the Convention pertaining to alternatives to PFOS and its related chemicals (10’)
• Overview of the chemistry and use of alternatives to PFOS in open applications (15’)
• Recommendations of POPRC on PFOS in open applications (10’)
• Questions and discussions (20’)

Target group

The present webinar will target:

• Official Contact Points and National Focal Points nominated to represent their countries within the framework of the Stockholm Convention,
• All stakeholders interested in issues related to the substitution of persistent organic pollutants and the elimination of PFOS and its related chemicals

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) were added to the list of substances controlled under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in 2009. The Convention calls for the elimination of the production and use of these chemicals except for certain applications for which alternatives still have to be phased-in or are not yet available and that are listed in Annex B as acceptable purposes and specific exemptions. Nevertheless, the Convention also provides for the regular evaluation of the continued need for these acceptable purposes and specific exemptions. An important basis for this evaluation is the availability, suitability and implementation of alternatives to PFOS.

PFOS is a fully fluorinated substance that is commonly used as a salt or incorporated into PFOS related chemicals. Due to the unique properties of PFOS and its related chemicals as surface active agents, they have been used in a wide variety of applications. Use of PFOS and its related chemicals in open applications, as opposed to their use in closed-loop systems, can pose a potential risk of direct exposure to humans and releases to the environment. The acceptable purposes and specific exemptions listed in Annex B of the Convention include a number of open applications such as fire-fighting foams and insecticides.

The substitution of PFOS and its related chemicals with safe alternatives is key to achieving the Convention’s goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating the production and use of these chemicals. To assist parties in phasing out PFOS and its related chemicals, a guidance document on alternatives to these substances has been developed under the Convention. A technical paper on the identification and assessment of PFOS in open applications has also been developed. On the basis of this paper, the Persistent Organic Review Committee (POPRC), the scientific subsidiary body to the Convention, has prepared recommendations on alternatives to PFOS in open applications that will be considered by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention at its next meeting in April 2013.

Objectives

The objectives of the webinar are to enhance understanding of the uses of PFOS, its related chemicals and their alternatives in open applications and to raise awareness about the recommendations of POPRC on these alternatives so as to facilitate decision-making by parties on this subject at the sixth meeting of the COP.

The webinar will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to activities under the Convention pertaining to alternatives to PFOS and its related chemicals
• Overview of the chemistry and use of alternatives to PFOS in open applications
• Recommendations of POPRC on alternatives to PFOS in open applications

Contents

The webinar will last approximately one hour and will be structured as follows:

• Introduction and presentation of participants (5’)
• Introduction to activities under the Convention pertaining to alternatives to PFOS and its related chemicals (10’)
• Overview of the chemistry and use of alternatives to PFOS in open applications (15’)
• Recommendations of POPRC on PFOS in open applications (10’)
• Questions and discussions (20’)

Target group

The present webinar will target:

• Official Contact Points and National Focal Points nominated to represent their countries within the framework of the Stockholm Convention,
• All stakeholders interested in issues related to the substitution of persistent organic pollutants and the elimination of PFOS and its related chemicals

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

The eighth meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC8) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 15 to 19 October 2012, at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG).

During the eighth meeting, the POPRC reviewed chemicals proposed for listing in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Convention and undertook tasks assigned to it by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention.

The Committee considered draft risk profiles of chlorinated naphthalenes, hexachlorobutadiene, a revised draft risk profile of short-chained chlorinated paraffins, and further considered its recommendation to the COP on listing of hexabromocyclododecane. The Committee also discussed assessment of alternatives to endosulfan, DDT, and PFOS in open applications, climate change and POPs, evaluation of brominated diphenyl ethers and PFOS, its salts and PFOSF, collaboration with other scientific bodies and effective participation of parties in the Committee’s work.

Objectives

The objective of this webinar is to inform parties to the Stockholm Convention and observers on the outcomes of POPRC8.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions:
• Outcomes of the eighth meeting of the POPRC– 20 min.
3. Discussion – 30 min

Target group

Stockholm Convention national focal points, official contact points, permanent missions and interested stakeholders

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

Several brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) were added to the list of substances controlled under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in 2009. These POPs have been and continue to be used for many industrial applications and are contained in a wide variety of consumer goods. The continued and widespread use of these chemicals makes their elimination particularly challenging. As part of a work programme to provide guidance to Parties on how best to restrict and eliminate newly listed chemicals, the POPs Review Committee (POPRC), the scientific subsidiary body of the Convention, developed recommendations on the elimination of BDEs from the waste stream and on risk reduction for PFOS, and its salts and PFOSF. At its fifth meeting in April 2011, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Stockholm Convention, took note of the recommendations and encouraged parties and other stakeholders to implement them.

BDEs listed under the Convention have extensively been used as flame retardants mainly in the manufacture of plastics and foams. Such use is prohibited by the Convention but BDEs are still present in previously manufactured articles that, upon reaching their end of life, are either recycled or enter the waste stream. With respect to BDEs, the main objective of the recommendations by POPRC is to eliminate them from the recycling streams as swiftly as possible. The Convention allows the production and use of PFOS and PFOS-related chemicals for a number of applications for which alternatives have to be phased-in or are not yet available. As a result, articles containing PFOS may still be manufactured and wastes containing PFOS will continue to be generated during manufacturing processes and as articles containing PFOS reach their end of life. Recommendations by POPRC address risks arising during the main stages of the life cycle of processes and materials containing PFOS.

By decision SC-5/5, parties were invited to submit to the Secretariat information on their experiences in implementing the recommendations by 6 November 2012, for consideration by the COP at its sixth meeting. Information submitted by parties will also be under consideration by POPRC at its eighth meeting in October 2012.

Objectives

The objective of the webinar is to increase awareness about  the recommendations of POPRC on the restriction and elimination of BDEs and PFOS and the linkages to mechanisms and other activities under the Convention that aim to promote the elimination of these chemicals.

The webinar will cover the following topics:

1. Introduction to BDEs listed under the Convention and PFOS 
2. Challenges for the elimination of these chemicals
3. Recommendations of POPRC for addressing these challenges
4. Related activities under the Convention

Contents

The webinar will last approximately one hour and will be structured as follows:

• Introduction and presentation of participants (5 min)
• BDEs listed under the Convention and PFOS: challenges for elimination (10 min)
• Presentation on the recommendations of POPRC (20 min)
• Related activities under the Convention (5 min)
• Questions and discussions (20 min)

Target group

The present webinar will target:

• Official Contact Points and National Focal Points nominated to represent their countries within the framework of the Stockholm Convention;
• Government representatives involved in the management of hazardous wastes, including competent authorities and national focal points for the Basel Convention
• All stakeholders interested in issues related to the management of hazardous chemicals in articles.

Schedule and registration

The webinars will be conducted in English.

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background:

The eighth meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC8) will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 15 to 19 October 2012, at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG).

During the October meeting, the POPRC will review chemicals proposed for listing in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Convention and will undertake tasks assigned to it by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention.

The Committee will consider draft risk profiles of chlorinated naphthalenes, hexachlorobutadiene, a revised draft risk profile of short-chained chlorinated paraffins, and further consider its recommendation to the COP on listing of hexabromocyclododecane. The Committee will also discuss assessment of alternatives to endosulfan, DDT, and PFOS in open applications, climate change and POPs, evaluation of brominated diphenyl ethers and PFOS, its salts and PFOSF, collaboration with other scientific bodies and effective participation of parties in the Committee’s work.

Objectives

The objective of this webinar is to inform parties to the Stockholm Convention and observers to enable them to fully participate in the activities of POPRC8.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions:
   • Eighth meeting of the POPRC– 20 min.
3. Discussion – 30 min

Target group

Stockholm Convention national focal points, official contact points, permanent missions and interested stakeholders

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background:

Since the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention in 2007, the Secretariat provides assistance to developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition to participate effectively in the work of POPs Review Committee (POPRC).

The assistance provided aims at increasing Parties and stakeholders’ understanding of the POPRC’s work and at providing guidance on how to contribute to it. The ultimate objective of the assistance is to enhance Parties and stakeholders’ capacity to provide information requested by the POPRC. Information to be provided can address the review of chemicals being proposed for listing and can also relate to other POPRC’s technical work, e.g. assessment of alternatives to newly listed POPs.

At its seventh meeting held in October 2011, by its decision POPRC-7/12, the Committee invited the Secretariat to continue its efforts in this matter and to organise web-based seminars with the technical input of the POPRC members.

Objectives:

1. Enhancing awareness of the POPRC’s current work programme on candidate POPs and on emerging issues regarding newly listed POPs (e.g. assessment of alternatives and evaluation of the progress made in eliminating newly listed POPs),
2. Supporting Parties and observers to collect information that contributes to the work of the POPRC in that regard.

Contents:

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations:
   • Overview of the intersessional work plan between POPRC-7 and POPRC-8, Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention – 10 min.
   • The POPRC’s intersessional work on Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), POPRC member – 10 min.
   • The POPRC’s intersessional work on Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCN), Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), Pentachlorophenol (PCP), its salts and esters, and Short-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCP), POPRC member - 15 min.
3. Discussion – 20 min.

Target group:

Official Contact Points and National Focal Points nominated within the framework of the Convention, and stakeholders involved in the work of POPRC.

Schedule and registration

Learn more about the actions that the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee, the scientific body to the Stockholm Convention, took during its 7th meeting  to help eliminate POPs from the global marketplace and protect human health and the environment.

Keep abreast with the last decisions of the Committee, such as:

• recommending the listing of the chemical hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) under the Convention;
• initiating risk profiles of two industrial chemicals newly proposed for elimination: chlorinated naphthalenes and hexachlorobutadiene;
• continuing the assessment of a third chemical, pentachlorophenol (PCP);
• preparing guidance on alternatives to the pesticide endosulfan and DDT and to the industrial chemical Perfluorooctane sulfonate;
• developing guidance on evaluating how global warming processes affect the fate, transport and toxicity of POPs.

Background

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) is a subsidiary body established by the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (COP) for reviewing chemicals proposed for listing under the Convention. In addition to its central function in this review process, POPRC plays an important advisory role on scientific matters related to the implementation of the Convention.  

The seventh meeting of the Committee (POPRC7) will take place from 10 to 14 October 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Objectives

The webinar will cover the following topics:

a.  Introduction to POPRC

b.  Overview of the provisional agenda of the seventh POPRC meeting

c.  Main matters to be considered by POPRC

Target Groups

The present webinars target:

• POPRC members, Parties, observers and IGO representatives, as well as other stakeholders.

Schedule

Background:

In accordance with Article 8 of the Convention, any Party may submit a proposal for listing a new chemical to the Secretariat. The proposal should contain information on the chemical identity, persistence, bio-accumulation, potential for long-range environmental transport and adverse effects of the chemical. The submission also needs to include a statement of the reason for concern and a short statement indicating the need for global action. Secretariat verifies that the proposal contains information specified in Annex D and forwards it to the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC). The Committee applies the screening criteria specified in Annex D to decide whether the proposal can proceed to the next step of the review mechanism.

Objectives:

This webinar has been developed as requested by the Committee in its decision POPRC-6/7 to organize sessions on improving access to technical and scientific information and to provide support to parties in proposing chemicals for listing under the Convention.

Target Groups:

The present webinar will target:

• Parties, observers and IGO representatives, as well as other stakeholders 

Schedule:

Background:

Collecting information on chemicals at the national level is one of the key steps for sound management of chemicals. Such information includes: chemical properties, environmental fate, monitoring data, toxicological data, exposure information, quantities of use, production, import and export of certain chemicals, information on products containing certain chemicals, stockpiles and wastes, contaminated sites, etc.

Under the Stockholm Convention, Parties need to collect information on persistent organic pollutants, for example to develop or update the National Implementation Plans in accordance with Article 7, to submit National Report in accordance with Article 15, and to conduct effectiveness evaluation in accordance with Article 16.

Moreover, Parties need to collect information on candidate chemicals for the process of listing new chemicals in Annex A, B, or C to the Convention. This is a mechanism provided in Article 8 for the identification and inclusion of additional persistent organic pollutants to the Convention.

In order to effectively collect chemical information at the national level, it is necessary for the Parties to strengthen its capacity in access to technical and scientific information including through institutional framework that allows sustainable communication and information exchange with various national stakeholders of persistent organic pollutants. The webinar will provide guidance on collection of technical and scientific information that could contribute to the work of the POPs Review Committee as well as for other requirements under the Stockholm Convention.

The POPs Review Committee adopted decision POPRC-6/7 on support for the effective participation of the parties in the Committee’s work and requested the Secretariat to organize sessions on improving access to technical and scientific information. This webinar has been developed in response to this request.

Objectives:

The objective of the webinar is to improve the knowledge and skills on collecting information required by the Stockholm Convention and the POPs Review Committee.

The participants will be informed of the following:

• Information requirements under the Stockholm Convention
• Information required by the POPs Review Committee for reviewing chemicals
• How to collect and submit scientific and technical information effectively

1. Institutional framework –  coordinating mechanism
2. Information technology – online database, web portal, etc. 
3. Communication with the Secretariat – invitations to Parties/observers to submit information, format for submission, deadlines

Target group:

The present webinar will target: 

• Official Contact Points and National Focal Points nominated to represent their countries within the framework of the Convention
• Other Government representatives concerned with the development and implementation of the Stockholm Convention
• Stakeholders, such as NGOs, academia and the private sector, concerned with the development and implementation of the Stockholm Convention,
• Experts on any particular issue of relevance to the Stockholm Convention.

Proposed programme:

• Introduction and presentation of participants
• Presentation on improving access to technical and scientific information under the framework of the POPRC
• Questions and discussions

Background

According to Part II of Annex A of the Stockholm Convention, PCBs can be used in existing equipment (transformers, capacitors, etc.) until 2025.

Most Parties to the Convention still have considerable stocks of in-use and out-of-use equipment containing PCBs. This equipment needs to be handled in an environmentally sound manner in order to avoid danger to human health and the environment from leakage and accidents, and also to avoid contamination of sites and cross-contamination of PCB-free equipment. It is therefore important to raise the awareness of owners of PCBs contaminated equipment and concerned workers on environmentally sound maintenance of PCBs equipment, including handling, service, storage and transportation.

The Advisory Committee of the PCBs Elimination Network (PEN) developed guidance compiling existing knowledge and experiences on the sound handling and maintenance of equipment containing PCBs.

Objectives

1. Raising awareness on existing guidance materials on the environmentally sound management of PCBs, particularly those developed under the PEN,
2. Providing guidance to Parties on how to handle PCBs in an environmentally sound manner, in particular to avoid cross-contamination.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations:
   1. Guidance documents on the environmentally sound management of PCBs recently developed by the PEN, Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention – 10 min.
   2. How to handle PCBs in an environmentally sound manner and avoid cross-contamination, Ms. Anna Ortiz, PCB expert – 20 min.
3. Discussion – 25 min.

Target group

PEN members, Official Contact Points and National Focal Points to the Stockholm Convention, and Regional Centres.

Schedule and registration

The webinars will be conducted in English and Spanish.

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

Most Parties to the Stockholm Convention have developed PCBs inventories as part of their National Implementation Plans. However, due to in particular financial and time constraints, many countries have only prepared partial and/or preliminary estimations of the existing quantities of equipment and oils contaminated with PCBs. The National Implementation Plans provide a mixed set of data that is widely differing in detail and accuracy among Parties. This makes it difficult to evaluate the progress made in eliminating PCBs at the national and the global level.

Parties need a comprehensive inventory on PCB to have a better picture of their national PCB situation and to embark on further steps in the environmentally sound management of PCBs (e.g. storage, elimination, etc.). An issue that has in particular not been addressed yet by many countries is the existence of PCBs in open applications.

The Advisory Committee of the PCBs Elimination Network (PEN) developed guidance and learning materials compiling existing knowledge and experiences on the identification of PCBs in closed and open applications to help countries improve their PCB inventories.

Objectives

1. Raising awareness on existing guidance materials on the environmentally sound management of PCBs, particularly those developed under the PEN
2. Providing guidance to Parties on how to enhance their current PCBs inventories
3. Increasing knowledge on the existence of PCBs in open applications

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations:
   1. Guidance documents on the environmentally sound management of PCBs recently developed by the PEN, Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention – 10 min.
   2. How to enhance preliminary PCB inventories and take PCBs in open applications into account, Mr. Urs K. Wagner, PCB expert – 20 min.
3. Discussion – 25 min.

Target group

PEN members, Official Contact Points and National Focal Points to the Stockholm Convention, and Regional Centres.

Schedule and registration

The webinars will be conducted in English only.

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

At the 4th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) held in 2009, by its decision SC- 4/15, Lindane was listed in the Convention under Annex A with specific exemptions for use as a Human health pharmaceutical only for the control of head lice and scabies as second line treatment. The amendment on Lindane entered into force on 26 August 2010.

In response to a request made by the same above decision, the Secretariat in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a work plan for reporting and reviewing requirements on the use of Lindane allowed for the specific exemption.

As part of this work plan, the Secretariat in collaboration with WHO gathered some baseline information on distribution and use of Lindane from selected countries and stakeholders. As a next step, the information collected needs to be reviewed to identify pragmatic solutions for the development of a pilot study for reporting and reviewing the continued need for Lindane in selected countries.

Objectives

1. Presenting the experience of Mexico on implementing a phase-out plan for the use of lindane as a pharmaceutical to control head lice and scabies,
2. Identifying barriers for Parties to review and report on continued need for lindane and possible solutions for phasing out its uses.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations:
   1. Overview of the listing of Lindane in the Stockholm Convention, Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention – 10 min.
   2. Mexico’s approach and experience in phasing out Lindane from pharmaceutical uses, Representative from Mexico – 20 min.
3. Discussion – 25 min.

Target group

Country parties and entities who were involved in the baseline survey, health sector representatives of country Parties to the Stockholm Convention, regional centres, industry groups and IGOs.

Schedule and registration

The webinars will be conducted in English only.

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background:

Articles 9 and 10 of the Stockholm Convention call for the exchange of information on alternatives and substitutes to POPs, including by industry and professional users and through a broad range of different means of communication.

In order to assist Parties in meeting these obligations, the Secretariat has launched an initiative on POPs-free products and processes. The initiative seeks to encourage manufacturers and retailers of consumer products, who have phased-out POPs, to provide information on POPs-free products, on possible alternatives and substitutes and processes for introducing such alternatives and substitutes.

The initiative was presented during the Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-5) in April and integrated into the work programme of the secretariat with the understanding that the Secretariat will provide the COP at its sixth meeting with results and outcomes of the implementation of the POPs-free initiative.

Complementary activities to support parties to the Stockholm Convention to address challenges on “POPs in articles” are also on-going. The main objective is to increase the capacity of Parties to the Stockholm Convention to manage industrial POPs in an environmentally sound manner. The programme focuses on the three sets of chemicals listed at COP4: “hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether”, “tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether”, and “perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF)”. This is because management of industrial chemicals is often less systematized than that of pesticides, and the sharing of information on products containing those industrial POPs is a crucial first step for the sound management, not only for developing countries but also for developed countries.  

Objectives:

The webinar provided an opportunity for Parties and stakeholders to be informed of upcoming work under the POPs-free initiative and on POPs in articles and to provide views on how best such work can meet their needs and challenges.

For the POP-free programme, the secretariat presented the outcomes of a pilot project undertaken prior to COP-5 and future activities, focusing on identifying best practices on the phase-out of POPs in products and processes and the use of related alternatives and substitutes.

Activities on POPs in articles were also be outlined, including in relation to the implementation of the recommendation by the POPs Review Committee on elimination of the listed bromodiphenyl ethers and risk reduction of PFOS, its salts and PFOSF and the review and updating of the National Implementation Plans for POPs contained in Articles. 

Target group:

Parties, observers and IGO representatives, as well as other stakeholders.

Pursuant to Article 4, and in accordance with Annexes A and B, the Convention allows for registering specific exemptions for certain chemicals and uses for which alternatives do not exist yet or are not readily available. This webinar provided information on the different types of exemptions and on the process and format to follow when registering for exemptions.

Background

Pollutants release inventories are necessary to identify, characterize and quantify sources of these releases; set priorities; elaborate strategies and action plans to reduce these releases; and to evaluate effectiveness of these strategies by establishing release trends through regular inventory updates.

The Standardized Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Dioxin and Furan Releases (Toolkit) provides a harmonized framework for elaboration of inventories for Annex C chemicals releases in accordance with Article 5 of the Stockholm Convention.

Objectives:

• Raising awareness on the revisions brought to the  Standardized Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Dioxin and Furan Releases;
• Increasing countries’ capacity to update and revise their inventories on dioxin and furan releases, in the context of the update and revision of the National Implementation Plans, and in accordance with Article 5 requirements,
• Enhancing data comparability and consistency in reporting dioxin and furan releases among Parties to the Stockholm Convention.

Target group:

Background

The identification of products and articles that contain POPs is a prerequisite for their environmentally sound management (ESM). The labelling of such products and articles represents an option for ensuring that information on their POPs content is clearly indicated and disseminated along the supply chain to stakeholders who can then implement appropriate management measures. Such labelling should take into account that stakeholders may be located in different countries due to the globalized nature of the supply chains of products and articles.

Many countries have regulatory systems in place designed to protect human health and the environment from exposure to hazardous chemicals. These systems, however, are known to vary in content and approach across countries and regulatory authorities within a country (e.g. ministries of environment, labour, industry, agriculture, and consumer goods).

Although the Stockholm Convention mentions the need to label polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in equipment (Annex A, Part II, para. a (i and ii)), suggests the use of safety data sheets (SDS) (Article 10, para. 4), and addresses hazard assessment (Annex E, para. (b)), it does not address a particular classification and labelling scheme for persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

A document has been prepared to provide Parties with some considerations on how to select and implement a national label system for products and articles that contain POPs by enhancing understanding of the essential elements of different schemes and their value in facilitating management of POPs. The document includes elements on how to adapt existing international labelling schemes for use in labelling of products containing POPs.

Objectives

• Increasing Parties’ knowledge on existing guidance to update NIPs. 
• Enhancing participants’ knowledge on sound labeling of chemicals and products containing POPs
• Presenting concrete labeling systems of products/articles containing or using POPs

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min
2. Presentations
   1. NIPs guidance package – 10 min
      Presenter: Jacqueline Alvarez - Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention
   2. Labelling of products or articles that contain POPs – initial considerations (20 min) 
      Presenter: Mr. Reiner Arndt – expert
3. Questions and answers -15 min

Target group

OCPs, NFPs and national experts involved in the review and update of the NIPs at the national level, especially in the undertaking of the new POPs inventories. POPRC members and observers are invited to participate.

Schedule and registration

The webinars will be conducted in English.

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

In general, the Stockholm Convention prohibits or restricts the production and use of the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are listed in the Annexes to the Convention. As far as trade is concerned, the provisions of the Convention require Parties to prohibit and/or take the appropriate legal and administrative measures ensuring that a chemical is imported or exported for the purpose of environmentally sound disposal or for a use or purpose which is permitted for Parties involved. The Convention, however, also contains specific mandates for certain POPs when produced or used in specific applications by Parties that have registered for such activities of production or use, through a regime of “specific exemptions” or “acceptable purposes”. This adds complexity to understanding which POPs can be imported or exported internationally.

The objective of this guidance document is more specifically to facilitate the identification and control, which is mandatory for a Party to the Convention, in particular of the 10 POPs banned or restricted in 2009 and 2011 and DDT (initially listed POP), taken as substances per se or contained in mixtures and/or in articles.

Objectives

• Increasing Parties’ knowledge on existing guidance to update NIPs.
• Enhancing Parties’ capacity to monitor products/articles that may contain POPs

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min
2. Presentations
1. NIPs guidance package – 10 min
   • Presenter: Jacqueline Alvarez - Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
2. Guidance for the control of the import and export of POPs (20 min)
• Presenter: Mr. Reiner Arndt – expert
3. Questions and answers -15 min

Target group

OCPs, NFPs and national experts involved in the review and update of the NIPs at the national level, especially in the undertaking of the new POPs inventories. Customs officers and POPRC members and observers are invited to participate.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

Following the adoption of amendments listing nine additional POPs in Annexes A, B and C of the Convention in 2009, Parties have the obligation to update their NIP and to transmit it to the COP within two years of the date on which the amendments entered into force for them, which for most Parties is on 22 August 2012. When updating their NIPs, Parties are also encouraged to take into account Endosulfan, which was listed in 2011 and for which the amendment will enter into force on 27 October 2012.

In May 2009, certain brominated flame retardants were listed to Annex A:

• Hexabromobiphenyl (HBB) 
• Two polybrominated diphenyl ethers (collectively referred to as POP-PBDEs in this document): 
  • Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether 
  • Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether

Parties to the Convention have to meet the obligations under the Convention leading to their elimination.

Due to the complexity and magnitude of usage of the POP-PBDEs, eliminating them represents a challenge for many Parties. These chemicals have been widely used in many industrial sectors for the manufacture of a variety of products and articles, including consumer articles. For example, POP-PBDEs have been used in the electronics industry for the manufacture of plastic casings for computer equipment and in the transport industry for the manufacture of foam cushioning in automobiles.

To develop effective strategies that can lead to the elimination of the newly listed BFRs, Parties need to acquire a sound understanding of their national situation concerning these chemicals. Such information can be obtained through inventories. The establishment of inventories is thus one of the main phases in the development of NIPs and is recommended as part of the elaborated process for reviewing and updating of NIPs, endorsed by the COP, decision SC-2/7.

Objectives

• Increasing Parties’ knowledge on existing guidance to update NIPs. 
• Increasing Parties’ understanding of POP-PBDEs and other flame retardants listed 
• Increasing Parties’ capacity to inventory POP-PBDEs, as part of the NIP update

Contents 

1. Introduction – 5 min 
2. Presentations 
   1. NIPs guidance package – 5 min
      Presenter: Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions 
   2. Establishing inventory of POPs-PBDEs - 20 min
      Presenter: Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions 
3. Questions and answers

Target group

SC OCPs, BC CA, RC DNA and NFPs, national experts involved in the review and update of the NIPs at the national level, especially in the undertaking of the new POPs inventories, Basel Convention Small Intersessional Working Group on new POPs waste, POPRC members and observers, CRC members and observers.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

Following the adoption of amendments listing nine additional POPs in Annexes A, B and C of the Convention in 2009, Parties have the obligation to update their NIP and to transmit it to the COP within two years of the date on which the amendments entered into force for them, which for most Parties is on 26 August 2012. When updating their NIPs, Parties are also encouraged to take into account Endosulfan, which was listed in 2011 and for which the amendment will enter into force on 27 October 2012.

In May 2009, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl acid were listed in Annex B of the Convention and therefore the production and use shall be eliminated by all Parties except Parties that have notified the secretariat to produce/or use them for acceptable purposes and specific exemptions listed in the Part I of the Annex B.

PFOS is a fully fluorinated anionic substance, which is commonly used as a salt in some applications or incorporated into larger polymers. PFOS and its closely related compounds, which may contain PFOS impurities or substances that can result in PFOS, are members of the large family of perfluoroalkyl sulphonate (PFAS) substances.

A guidance on the best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP) for the production and use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and related chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention has been developed to assist Parties in developing strategies for applying those techniques and practices and for implementing the recommendations of the COP on risk reduction for PFOS.

Objectives

• Increasing Parties’ knowledge on existing guidance to update NIPs.
• Increasing Parties’ knowledge and understanding of PFOS and related chemicals listed
• Enhancing Parties’ understanding of the BAT and BEP related to the production and use of PFOS and related chemicals for which acceptable purposes and specific exemptions have been identified by the Convention

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min
2. Presentations
1. NIPs guidance package – 10 min
• Presenter: Ms. Jacqueline Alvarez, Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
2. Guidance on BAT and BEP for PFOS and related chemicals - 20 min
   • Presenter: Mr. Stefan Posner – expert
3. Questions and answers -15 min

Target group

OCPs, NFPs and national experts involved in the review and update of the NIPs at the national level, especially in the undertaking of the new POPs inventories. Parties are encouraged to notify the Secretariat when potential interested key stakeholders from industry might wish to participate, in particular experts those sectors of special interest to their country.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

In general, the Stockholm Convention prohibits or restricts the production and use of the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are listed in the Annexes to the Convention. As far as trade is concerned, the provisions of the Convention require Parties to prohibit and/or take the appropriate legal and administrative measures ensuring that a chemical is imported or exported for the purpose of environmentally sound disposal or for a use or purpose which is permitted for Parties involved. The Convention, however, also contains specific mandates for certain POPs when produced or used in specific applications by Parties that have registered for such activities of production or use, through a regime of “specific exemptions” or “acceptable purposes”. This adds complexity to understanding which POPs can be imported or exported internationally.

The objective of this guidance document is more specifically to facilitate the identification and control, which is mandatory for a Party to the Convention, in particular of the 10 POPs banned or restricted in 2009 and 2011 and DDT (initially listed POP), taken as substances per se or contained in mixtures and/or in articles.

Objectives

• Increasing Parties’ knowledge on existing guidance to update NIPs.
• Enhancing Parties’ capacity to monitor products/articles that may contain POPs

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min
2. Presentations
1. NIPs guidance package – 10 min
   • Presenter: Jacqueline Alvarez - Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
2. Guidance for the control of the import and export of POPs (20 min)
   • Presenter: Mr. Reiner Arndt – expert
3. Questions and answers -15 min

Target group

OCPs, NFPs and national experts involved in the review and update of the NIPs at the national level, especially in the undertaking of the new POPs inventories. Customs officers and POPRC members and observers are invited to participate.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

The identification of products and articles that contain POPs is a prerequisite for their environmentally sound management (ESM). The labelling of such products and articles represents an option for ensuring that information on their POPs content is clearly indicated and disseminated along the supply chain to stakeholders who can then implement appropriate management measures. Such labelling should take into account that stakeholders may be located in different countries due to the globalized nature of the supply chains of products and articles.

Many countries have regulatory systems in place designed to protect human health and the environment from exposure to hazardous chemicals. These systems, however, are known to vary in content and approach across countries and regulatory authorities within a country (e.g. ministries of environment, labour, industry, agriculture, and consumer goods).

Although the Stockholm Convention mentions the need to label polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in equipment (Annex A, Part II, para. a (i and ii)), suggests the use of safety data sheets (SDS) (Article 10, para. 4), and addresses hazard assessment (Annex E, para. (b)), it does not address a particular classification and labelling scheme for persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

A document has been prepared to provide Parties with some considerations on how to select and implement a national label system for products and articles that contain POPs by enhancing understanding of the essential elements of different schemes and their value in facilitating management of POPs. The document includes elements on how to adapt existing international labelling schemes for use in labelling of products containing POPs.

Objectives

• Increasing Parties’ knowledge on existing guidance to update NIPs. 
• Enhancing participants’ knowledge on sound labeling of chemicals and products containing POPs
• Presenting concrete labeling systems of products/articles containing or using POPs

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min
2. Presentations
   1. NIPs guidance package – 10 min
      Presenter: Jacqueline Alvarez - Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention
   2. Labelling of products or articles that contain POPs – initial considerations (20 min) 
      Presenter: Mr. Reiner Arndt – expert
3. Questions and answers -15 min

Target group

OCPs, NFPs and national experts involved in the review and update of the NIPs at the national level, especially in the undertaking of the new POPs inventories. POPRC members and observers are invited to participate.

Schedule and registration

The webinars will be conducted in English.

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

Following the adoption of amendments listing nine additional POPs in Annexes A, B and C of the Convention in 2009, Parties have the obligation to update their NIP and to transmit it to the COP within two years of the date on which the amendments entered into force for them, which for most Parties is on 26 August 2012. When updating their NIPs, Parties are also encouraged to take into account Endosulfan, which was listed in 2011 and for which the amendment will enter into force on 27 October 2012.

In May 2009, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl acid were listed in Annex B of the Convention and therefore the production and use shall be eliminated by all Parties except Parties that have notified the secretariat to produce/or use them for acceptable purposes and specific exemptions listed in the Part I of the Annex B.

PFOS is a fully fluorinated anionic substance, which is commonly used as a salt in some applications or incorporated into larger polymers. PFOS and its closely related compounds, which may contain PFOS impurities or substances that can result in PFOS, are members of the large family of perfluoroalkyl sulfonate (PFAS) substances.

A guidance on the best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP) for the production and use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and related chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention has been developed to assist Parties in developing strategies for applying those techniques and practices and for implementing the recommendations of the COP on risk reduction for PFOS.

Objectives

• Increasing Parties’ knowledge on existing guidance to update NIPs.
• Increasing Parties’ knowledge and understanding of PFOS and related chemicals listed
• Enhancing Parties’ understanding of the BAT and BEP related to the production and use of PFOS and related chemicals for which acceptable purposes and specific exemptions have been identified by the Convention

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min
2. Presentations
• NIPs guidance package – 10 min
  Presenter: Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention
• Guidance on BAT and BEP for PFOS and related chemicals - 20 min
  Presenter: Mr. Stefan Posner –  expert
3. Questions and answers -15 min

Target group

OCPs, NFPs and national experts involved in the review and update of the NIPs at the national level, especially in the undertaking of the new POPs inventories. Parties are encouraged to notify the Secretariat when potential interested key stakeholders from industry might wish to participate, in particular experts those sectors of special interest to their country.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

At its fourth and fifth meeting, the Conference of the Parties agreed to amend the Stockholm Convention to list 10 new POPs in Annex A, B and C of the Convention. Following the adoption of amendments, Parties have the obligation to update their NIP and to transmit it to the COP within two years of the date on which the amendments entered into force for them, which for most Parties is on 22 August 2012. When updating their NIPs, Parties are also encouraged to take into account Endosulfan, which was listed in 2011 and for which the amendment will enter into force on 27 October 2012.

The main difficulty indicated by Parties is how to obtain information on the new POPs especially concerning groups of widely used industrial chemicals, in particular brominated flame retardants (hexabromobiphenyl, hexabromobiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its related chemicals, due to the complexity of the use and the many sectors of society involved in the use of these chemicals.

Several documents were developed and used to provide guidance to countries and assist them in the process of developing and implementing a NIP for the initial 12 POPs. The revision and update of the NIPs include among other issues, compilation of inventories concerning the new POPs, action plans development, sampling and monitoring, disposal technologies, BAT and BEP related to the whole lifecycle of these substances.

A full set of consolidated guidance, the NIP update package, has been developed and will be available in English to Parties in June 2012 and in all six official languages of the United Nations by August 2012.

Objectives

• Continue the exchange of information with the GEF Implementing Agencies on the available guidance to update NIPs.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min
2. Presentations
1. Process to develop the NIPs guidance package, including pilot testing – 5 min
   1. Presenter: Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention
2. NIP update package - 20 min
   1. Presenter: Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention
3. Questions and answers

Target group

GEF Implementing Agencies

Schedule

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

Following the adoption of amendments listing nine additional POPs in Annexes A, B and C of the Convention in 2009, Parties have the obligation to update their NIP and to transmit it to the COP within two years of the date on which the amendments entered into force for them, which for most Parties is on 22 August 2012. When updating their NIPs, Parties are also encouraged to take into account Endosulfan, which was listed in 2011 and for which the amendment will enter into force on 27 October 2012.

In May 2009, certain brominated flame retardants were listed to Annex A:

• Hexabromobiphenyl (HBB)
• Two polybrominated diphenyl ethers (collectively referred to as POP-PBDEs in this document):
• Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether
• Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether

Parties to the Convention have to meet the obligations under the Convention leading to their elimination.

Due to the complexity and magnitude of usage of the POP-PBDEs, eliminating them represents a challenge for many Parties. These chemicals have been widely used in many industrial sectors for the manufacture of a variety of products and articles, including consumer articles. For example, POP-PBDEs have been used in the electronics industry for the manufacture of plastic casings for computer equipment and in the transport industry for the manufacture of foam cushioning in automobiles.

To develop effective strategies that can lead to the elimination of the newly listed BFRs, Parties need to acquire a sound understanding of their national situation concerning these chemicals. Such information can be obtained through inventories. The establishment of inventories is thus one of the main phases in the development of NIPs and is recommended as part of the elaborated process for reviewing and updating of NIPs, endorsed by the COP, decision SC-2/7.

Objectives

• Increasing Parties’ knowledge on existing guidance to update NIPs.
• Increasing Parties’ understanding of POP-PBDEs and other flame retardants listed
• Increasing Parties’ capacity to inventory POP-PBDEs, as part of the NIP update

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min
2. Presentations
1. NIPs guidance package – 5 min
   1. Presenter: Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention
1. Establishing inventory of POPs-PBDEs - 20 min
   1. Presenter: Mr. Roland Weber – expert
3. Questions and answers

Target group

OCPs, NFPs and national experts involved in the review and update of the NIPs at the national level, especially in the undertaking of the new POPs inventories.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

Following the adoption of amendments listing nine additional POPs in Annexes A, B and C of the Convention in 2009, Parties have the obligation to update their NIP and to transmit it to the COP within two years of the date on which the amendments entered into force for them, which for most Parties is on 22 August 2012. When updating their NIPs, Parties are also encouraged to take into account Endosulfan, which was listed in 2011 and for which the amendment will enter into force on 27 October 2012.

Perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS), its salts, and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) were listed in Annex B in the Stockholm in 2009. The Parties of the Convention are recommended to develop an action plan for PFOS and its related substances as a part of their updated NIP. The aim of the National Action Plans should be reduction and subsequently elimination of the use and production of PFOS and its related substances. To implement the restrictions on production and use of PFOS and its related substances, and to reduce the impact on health and environment, the sources to the releases and exposure of PFOS have to be identified. This is achieved by developing a national inventory of products and articles, production, use, and disposal of waste containing PFOS, as well as landfills, stockpiles and contaminated sites.

The national inventory is an important part of the NIP, and gives valuable directions for the development of a National Action Plan. The recommendations from the Persistent Organic Pollutants’ Review Committee (POPRC), which is a subsidiary committee of the Convention, should be also referred to in conducting the inventory of PFOS and its related substances.

Objectives

1. Increasing Parties’ knowledge on existing guidance to update NIPs
2. Increasing Parties’ understanding of PFOS and its related substances
3. Increasing Parties’ capacity to inventory PFOS and its related substances, as part of the NIP update

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations:
   1. NIPs guidance package – 5 min
      Presenter: Ms. Jacqueline Alvarez , Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention
   2. Establishing inventory of PFOS and related chemicals - 20 min
      Presenter: Ms. Liselott Sal, POPRC expert
3. Questions and answers – 30 min

Target group

OCPs, NFPs and national experts involved in the review and update of the NIPs at the national level, especially in the undertaking of the new POPs inventories.

Schedule and registration

The webinars will be conducted in English and Spanish.

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

The growing volumes of electrical and electronic wastes or e-waste generated worldwide together with the lack or even absence of well-organized collection and management systems made impacts on the environment, the health of local communities and national economies. In many developing countries e-waste is routinely disposed of or recycled following practices that lead to the release of toxic substances into air, soil and water. All this is gradually mounting up to a serious environmental problem.

Given the constantly rising demand for scarce resource, the present e-waste management does not only pollute natural resources and endanger people’s health; it also misses out on business opportunities in material recovery and recycling. The high-tech know-how for environmentally sound recovery of metals is yet to be introduced in developing countries.

There are a number of activities and initiatives which have been or are being undertaken by various actors, including the United Nations (UN) agencies, research organizations, the private sector and NGOs to tackle the e-waste issue. As an effective mechanism to foster cooperation in the area of sound e-waste management, several partnerships have been established, such as Mobile Phone Partnership Initiative (MPPI), Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE), and the Regional Platform on Electronic Waste for Latin America and the Caribbean (RELAC).

Objectives:

The webinar aimed at:

• Introducing international and regional policy and legislation relevant to e-waste;
• Providing an overview of the environmental, social and economic aspects associated with the management of e-waste;
• Informing countries about the ongoing activities under the Basel Convention’s Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE) with a particular focus on the guidance documents dealing with environmentally sound testing, refurbishment, repair of used computing equipment, and sound material recovery and recycling of end-of-life computing equipment.

Target audience

The present webinar targeted:

• Focal points nominated under the Basel and Stockholm conventions;
• Others government representatives; national experts and stakeholders interested in the environmentally sound management of e-wastes.

Proposed programme

1. Introduction and presentation of participants (5’)
2. Overview of challenges posed by e-wastes (15’)
3. Possible solutions to be explored to promote environmentally sound management of e-wastes, including through the PACE (15’)
4. Questions and discussions (20’)
5. Closure

Background

This webinar will introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies for the collection and management of E-waste currently in place in Belgium and Colombia. An EPR scheme for the collection and management of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) was implemented in Belgium since year 2001, year of the foundation of Recupel. Recupel is a collective scheme that up to date succeeds in stimulating collection and environmentally sound management of e-waste, exceeding EU targets for the collection and recycling of WEEE. More recently, in Colombia, an EPR scheme for the take-back and management of E-waste was also implemented. A Colombian expert will share experience on setting up this type of policies from scratch.

OECD defines EPR as an environmental policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of a product’s life cycle. An EPR policy is characterized by: (1) the shifting of responsibility (physically and/or economically; fully or partially) upstream toward the producer and away from municipalities; and (2) the provision of incentives to producers to take into account environmental considerations when designing their products. While other policy instruments tend to target a single point in the production chain, EPR seeks to integrate signals related to the environmental characteristics of products and production processes throughout the product chain.

Under the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment (PACE), Project Groups were established to develop tools, such as guidelines, for the environmentally sound management (ESM) of computing equipment. EPR policies are included in the PACE guidelines and considered among the most effective tools for the ESM of E-wastes.

PACE is a multi-stakeholder public-private partnership under the umbrella of the Basel Convention that provides a forum for representatives of personal computer manufacturers, recyclers, international organizations, associations, academia, environmental groups and governments to tackle environmentally sound refurbishment, repair, material recovery, recycling and disposal of used and end-of-life computing equipment. The Partnership is intended to increase the environmentally sound management of used and end-of-life computing equipment, taking into account, amongst other things, social responsibility, the concept of sustainable development, and information-sharing on life cycle approaches.

Objectives

This webinar aims at providing in depth information on EPR policies by sharing the experience of two countries that are implementing these policies and by presenting the pillars of these policies.

This session will provide opportunities to:

• learn about the implementation of EPR schemes, with its successes and challenges in different regions of the world such as Europe and Latin America;
• learn how EPR policies contribute to the ESM of computing equipment, or more broadly e-waste;
• Engage an interactive exchange with leading experts in EPR policies: participants can pose questions, make remarks and share their knowledge on EPR policies and e-waste management.

Contents

The webinar will last approximately one hour and will be structured as follows:

1. Introduction– (5 min.)
2. Presentations:
   • Introduction to Extended Producer Responsibility Policies and Concepts (5 min.)
     Dimitri Strybos, OVAM-Belgium
   • E-waste EPR policies implemented in Belgium (15 min.)
     Dimitri Strybos, OVAM-Belgium
   • The Colombian experience on EPR policies and schemes (15 min.)
     Carlos A. Hernández S., WEEE Project Coordinator for the Colombia National Cleaner Production Center
3. Questions and Answers – (20 min.)

Target group

Basel Convention Focal Points, Basel Competent Authorities, Basel Convention Regional and Coordinating Centres, OEWG participants, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), producer responsibility organisations, recyclers and their associations, government officials and regional/local autorities dealing with e-waste management and any other interested persons.

Schedule and registration

Equipment requirements

The internet-based software, Webex, will be used for the video/teleconference session which allows sharing voice and data, such as PowerPoint presentations. Webinar participants would need to use the following items: a computer, a phone, a micro, speakers and a good internet connection (any minimal data transmission requirements to indicate?). For national teams participating in a Webinar, additional equipment could be required such as a retro-projector or a screen. User instructions will be sent to registered participants 2 weeks prior to the Webinars.

Additional information

For more information, please contact:
Technical Assistance Programme
Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
Email: TA@pops.int

Background:

The Technical Expert Group (TEG), established to initiate the development of a framework for the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes under the Basel Convention, met for the third time since COP10, in Glion sur Montreux, Switzerland, from 21 to 23 January 2013.

During the third meeting, the TEG had in its agenda the preparation of a final draft of the framework for the ESM of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes under the Basel Convention, for submission to the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to be held from 28 April to 10 May 2013, for its consideration and possible adoption and,

the development of a roadmap outlining possible work to be undertaken following COP 11 to support implementation of the framework.

The Technical Expert Group was established according to decision BC-10/3: Indonesian-Swiss Country-Led Initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention. In developing the ESM framework, the TEG was required to include consideration of ways in which the framework and its elements might be linked to the issue of transboundary movements of hazardous and other wastes taking into account subparagraph 2(b) of Article 4 of the Basel Convention. This subparagraph refers to the obligation of the Parties to the Basel Convention to take appropriate measures to ensure the availability of adequate disposal facilities for the ESM of hazardous and other wastes.

The Technical Expert Group held its first meeting in Tokyo, Japan, from 17 to 19 April 2012. Its second meeting was held immediately following the eighth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention, from 30 September to 2 October 2012.  The Group has also worked intersessionally to progress the development of the framework.

Objectives

The objective of this webinar is to inform parties to the Basel Convention and observers on the outcomes of the third meeting of the Technical Expert Group to facilitate the negotiations during the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentation by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions: 
   • Outcomes of the third meeting of the TEG– 25 min.
3. Discussion – 30 min

Target group

Basel Convention national focal points, Basel Convention competent authorities, Basel Convention regional centres, permanent missions and interested stakeholders

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

What do you need to know about the Indonesian-Swiss Country-Led Initiative: before and after the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties

Background

The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (COP 10) adopted a decision on the Indonesian-Swiss Country-Led Initiative (CLI) to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention (decision BC-10/3).

The CLI process was initiated by Indonesia and Switzerland in response to a statement made by the President of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention. Amongst other points, the President in his statement encouraged Parties to explore ways of furthering the objectives of the Ban Amendment.

The Amendment provides that each Party that is included in Annex VII (Parties and other States which are members of the OECD, EC and Liechtenstein) prohibits all transboundary movements of hazardous wastes that are intended for final disposal and of hazardous wastes covered by paragraph 1 (a) of Article 1 of the Convention that are destined for reuse, recycling or recovery operations to States not included in Annex VII.

In the CLI decision, Parties to the Convention agreed on an interpretation of the Convention’s provision about entry into force of amendments. This clarifies the requirement for amendments to the Convention, including the Ban Amendment, to enter into force.

The CLI decision notes that the Ban Amendment is one way of meeting the challenge with regard to controlling imports to Parties that are unable to manage hazardous and other wastes in an environmentally sound manner but that continue to receive such wastes. Parties also note that there are other ways of meeting this challenge and as such the decision includes sections on:

• Developing guidelines for environmentally sound management;
• Providing further legal clarity;
• Further strengthening the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres; 
• Combating illegal traffic more effectively;
• Assisting developing countries that are facing specific challenges with regard to prohibiting the import of hazardous wastes; and
• Building capacity. 

Consequently, this decision of the Conference of the Parties reinforces the Basel Convention control regime whilst simultaneously supporting environmentally sound management of and trade in waste to ensure the minimization of health and environmental impacts, ensuring adequate social and labour conditions and creating new economic opportunities

Objectives

The webinar aims to provide information on the decision BC-10/3 on the CLI Initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention. It will introduce the CLI process that led up to the adoption of this decision, its participants, and key considerations for transboundary movements of hazardous wastes. The webinar will also inform the participants about the follow-up actions taken so far to implement the decision, presenting an overview of activities since COP10 including the work of the Technical Expert Group mandated to complete the development of a framework for the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes under the Basel Convention.

Contents

1. Introduction (5 min)
2. Presentation: Decision BC-10/3 and the Indonesian-Swiss Country Led Initiative- Way forward for implementation and enforcement of the Basel Convention (25 min)
3. Discussion (25 min).

Target group

Parties to the Basel Convention, attending the Global workshop on the facilitation of the entry into force of the Ban Amendment under the Basel Convention (3-4 September 2012).

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention adopted decision BC-10/3 on the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention. Section A of this decision addresses the entry into force of the Ban Amendment.

The Ban Amendment provides that each Party, that ratified, accepted, acceded to or approved the Amendment and is included in Annex VII (Parties and other States which are members of the OECD, EC and Liechtenstein) prohibits all transboundary movements of hazardous wastes, that are intended for final disposal and hazardous wastes covered by paragraph 1 (a) of Article 1 of the Convention that are destined for reuse, recycling or recovery operations to States not included in Annex VII.

Objectives

The webinar aims to provide information on how to become a Party to multilateral environmental agreements, in particular the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. This will also cover processes for amendments and protocols to such agreements.

The webinar will cover procedural aspects on how to become a Party to multilateral environmental agreements; what steps need to be taken at the national and international level; how to deposit instruments with the depositary and what tools are available to assist in this process. This will also cover processes for amendments and protocols to such multilateral environmental agreements.

Contents

1. Introduction (5 min)
2. Presentation: How to become a Party to a multilateral environmental agreement, including processes for amendments and protocols (25 min)
3. Discussion (25 min)

Target group

• Parties to the Basel Convention, including those Parties that have not yet ratified, accepted, acceded to or approved the Ban Amendment;
• Parties to the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions;
• States that may wish to become Parties to these Conventions;
• Other interested stakeholders, including civil society organizations, academia and industry.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

This webinar provides an introduction to a project undertaken by the Secretariat to develop models of compliant ship recycling facilities, in consideration of the Basel and Hong Kong conventions, and the guidance and training materials developed to facilitate compliance.

Background

The Secretariat will finalise a project in June 2012 through which:

• (theoretical) models of compliant ship recycling facilities are developed in consideration of the requirements of the Basel Convention and the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships;
• actions are identified to be undertaken in the short, medium, and long term to facilitate compliance at ship recycling facilities; and,
• replicable guidance and train-the-trainer materials are developed for use by ship recycling facilities and competent authorities.

The outputs of the project will be made available on the Basel Convention website prior to the webinar.

Objectives

1. Introduce and raise awareness of the project and the guidance and training materials developed to facilitate compliance with the Basel and Hong Kong Conventions;
2. Introduce upcoming projects to be undertaken by the Secretariat to promote environmentally sound ship dismantling;
3. Respond to any questions from stakeholders on the guidance and training materials and on upcoming capacity building activities.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations:
   1. Introduction to the project and the guidance and training materials developed to facilitate compliance with the Basel and Hong Kong conventions. Mr. Roy Watkinson, Ship Dismantling Expert – 20 min.
   2. Introduction to the upcoming capacity building projects to be undertaken by the Secretariat to promote environmentally sound ship dismantling. Secretariat of the Basel Convention – 10 min.
3. Discussion – 25 min.

Target group

Ship recycling governments, regulatory authorities and industry.

Schedule and registration

The webinars will be conducted in English.

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background:

The eighth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG8) will be held from 25 to 28 September 2012 at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG), in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Open-ended Working Group keeps under continuous review the implementation of the Convention’s work plan, specific operational policies and decisions taken by the Conference of the Parties for the implementation of the Convention. It meets once every two years.

During the September meeting, the Working Group will discuss follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative on developing guidelines and a draft framework for the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes. It is also expected to review progress in the implementation of the strategic framework and on the development of a baseline for the midterm and final evaluations of the strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention for 2012–2021.

Objectives

The objective of this webinar is to inform Parties to the Basel Convention and Observers to enable them to fully participate in the negotiations of the eighth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions:
• Eighth meeting of the OEWG8 – 20 min.
3. Discussion – 30 min

Target group

Basel Convention Focal points and Regional Centers, competent authorities, permanent missions and interested stakeholders.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (COP 10) adopted a decision on the Indonesian-Swiss Country-Led Initiative (CLI) to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention (decision BC-10/3).

The CLI process was initiated by Indonesia and Switzerland in response to a statement made by the President of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention. Amongst other points, the President in his statement encouraged Parties to explore ways of furthering the objectives of the Ban Amendment.

The Amendment provides that each Party that is included in Annex VII (Parties and other States which are members of the OECD, EC and Liechtenstein) prohibits all transboundary movements of hazardous wastes that are intended for final disposal and of hazardous wastes covered by paragraph 1 (a) of Article 1 of the Convention that are destined for reuse, recycling or recovery operations to States not included in Annex VII.

In the CLI decision, Parties to the Convention agreed on an interpretation of the Convention’s provision about entry into force of amendments. This clarifies the requirement for amendments to the Convention, including the Ban Amendment, to enter into force.

The CLI decision notes that the Ban Amendment is one way of meeting the challenge with regard to controlling imports to Parties that are unable to manage hazardous and other wastes in an environmentally sound manner but that continue to receive such wastes. Parties also note that there are other ways of meeting this challenge and as such the decision includes sections on:

• Developing guidelines for environmentally sound management;
• Providing further legal clarity;
• Further strengthening the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres;
• Combating illegal traffic more effectively;
• Assisting developing countries that are facing specific challenges with regard to prohibiting the import of hazardous wastes; and
• Building capacity.

Consequently, this decision of the Conference of the Parties reinforces the Basel Convention control regime whilst simultaneously supporting environmentally sound management of and trade in waste to ensure the minimization of health and environmental impacts, ensuring adequate social and labour conditions and creating new economic opportunities.

Objectives

The webinar aims to provide information on the decision BC-10/3 on the CLI Initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention. It will introduce the CLI process that led up to the adoption of this decision, its participants, and key considerations for transboundary movements of hazardous wastes. The webinar will also inform the participants about the follow-up actions taken so far to implement the decision, presenting an overview of activities since COP10 including the work of the Technical Expert Group mandated to complete the development of a framework for the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes under the Basel Convention.

Contents

1. Introduction (5 min)
2. Presentation:
• Decision BC-10/3 and the Indonesian-Swiss Country Led Initiative- Way forward for implementation and enforcement of the Basel Convention (25 min)
3. Discussion (25 min).

Target group

• Parties to the Basel Convention, attending the Global workshop on the facilitation of the entry into force of the Ban Amendment under the Basel Convention (3-4 September 2012).

Schedule:

Background

The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention adopted decision BC-10/3 on the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention. Section A of this decision addresses the entry into force of the Ban Amendment.

The Ban Amendment provides that each Party, that ratified, accepted, acceded to or approved the Amendment and is included in Annex VII (Parties and other States which are members of the OECD, EC and Liechtenstein) prohibits all transboundary movements of hazardous wastes, that are intended for final disposal and hazardous wastes covered by paragraph 1 (a) of Article 1 of the Convention that are destined for reuse, recycling or recovery operations to States not included in Annex VII.

Objectives

The webinar aims to provide information on how to become a Party to multilateral environmental agreements, in particular the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. This will also cover processes for amendments and protocols to such agreements.

The webinar will cover procedural aspects on how to become a Party; what steps need to be taken at the national and international level to become a Party to a multilateral environmental agreement; how to lodge instruments with the depositary and what tools are available to assist States in this process.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentations:
   • How to become a Party to a multilateral environmental agreement, including processes for amendments and protocols (25 min)
3. Discussion – 25 min.

Target group

• Parties to the Basel Convention, including those Parties that have not yet ratified, accepted, acceded to or approved the Ban Amendment;
• Parties to the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions; 
• States that may wish to become Parties to these Conventions; 
• Other interested stakeholders, including civil society organizations, academia and industry.

Schedule and registration

When you register, you will be given additional information regarding the system requirements and instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Background

As part of the activities to mark the Stockholm Convention’s 10th anniversary, the Secretariat is organizing a global art contest for children and youth.

The theme for the competition is "Stockholm at 10: Chemical Challenges, Sustainable Solutions" and what it means to young people around the world. For example, in their entries, children and youth may explore the many ways persistent organic pollutants (POPs) affect the life of the planet, enter people’s bodies, and change ecosystems, the reasons why the planet's "chemical temperature" is rising, and how people can protect themselves and nature from these harmful substances.

Objectives

This webinar has 2 objectives:

1. Inform a broad range of stakeholders about the contest and encourage them to diffuse the information at national level;
2. Encourage the OCPs to engage and support the process as they will be playing an active role at their country level.

Target Groups

The Webinars will target:

• Official Contact Points and National Focal Points nominated to represent their countries within the framework of the Convention, as well as Permanent Missions
• Other Government representatives concerned with the development and implementation of the Stockholm Convention, in particular in relation to Education and Health
• Stakeholders, such as NGOs and academia (schools in particular), which are concerned with raising awareness among children and youth

Contents

Each Webinar will last approximately 30 minutes and will be structured as follows:

• Introduction and presentation of participants (5’)
• Presentation (5’)
• Questions and discussions (20’)

Schedule for the Webinars

The table below indicates the Webinars that are planned at the beginning of 2011. The time indicated is based on Geneva local time (UTC/GMT +1 hour).

To register for a slot, please return the registration form, once completed and duly signed, to the Secretariat at: TA@pops.int.

Equipment requirements

The internet-based software, Webex, will be used for the video/teleconference session which allows sharing voice and data, such as PowerPoint presentations. Webinar participants would need to use the following items: a computer, a phone, a micro, speakers (headsets) and a good internet connection. User instructions will be sent to registered participants 2 weeks prior to the Webinars.

Additional information

The webinar provided information and experience sharing on existing legal frameworks to legislate and regulate chemicals, hazardous and other wastes in compliance with international obligations under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.