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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
20 June 2013, at 12 pm (Session in English)	Register

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:

A feasibility study, commissioned by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and funded by the European Commission, identifies cost effective, environmentally sound alternatives to the beaching method of ship recycling.  The study builds on the findings of a case study, also commissioned by the Secretariat in 2012, which identified the operational, procedural and infrastructural requirements for existing facilities to work towards compliance with the Basel Convention and the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. 

The following activities formed part of the feasibility study:

1. a review of current ship recycling methods and identification of cost effective, environmentally sound alternatives to beaching. This work included consultations with those ship recycling facilities employing environmentally sound alternatives and with ship owners who utilise such facilities;
2. a field mission to facilities employing alternative methods of ship recycling to establish the parameters (operational, procedural, infrastructural) of such methods; and
3. development of a feasibility report providing: models of alternative environmentally sound ship recycling operations; identification of potential partners and sites for the establishment of such facilities; and a costing estimate for the establishment and operation of such facilities.

Objectives

The objective of this webinar is to inform Parties to the Basel Convention and interested stakeholders of the outcome of a feasibility study commissioned by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions which identifies cost effective, environmentally sound alternatives to the beaching method of ship recycling.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. Presentation by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions:
   • Introduction to the Feasibility Study – 5 min.
3. Presentation by the expert
   • Methodology employed and findings of the Feasibility Study – 25 min,
4. Discussion – 25 min.

Target group

Parties to the Basel Convention, Basel focal points and competent authorities, Basel regional centres, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders with an interest in ship recycling, including industry.

Schedule and registration

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
18 June 2013, at 10 am (Session in English)	Register
20 June 2013, at 4 pm (Session in English)	Register

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, preferably a headset or a microphone and speakers and a good internet connection.

Additional information

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

 

Background

In cases of emergency resulting from incidents arising from transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes and their disposal, developing countries or countries with economies in transition can apply for assistance from the Technical Cooperation Trust Fund of the Basel Convention. With the adoption of decision BC-V/32, the Parties decided to enlarge the scope of the Technical Cooperation Trust Fund to provide assistance in case of such incidents. This emergency mechanism allows the Secretariat, upon request, to use the funds to assist a Party in case of an incident occurring during a transboundary movement of hazardous wastes or other wastes covered by the Basel Convention in order to:

1. Estimate the magnitude of damage occurred or damage that may occur and the measures needed to prevent damage;
2. Take appropriate emergency measures to prevent or mitigate the damage;
3. Help find those Parties and other entities in a position to give the assistance needed;

In addition, the Secretariat can assist a Party which is a developing country or a country with economy in transition in developing its capacity-building and transfer of technology, following such incidents, putting in place measures to prevent accidents and damage to the environment caused by the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes and their disposal.

Objectives

The objectives of this webinar are to inform Parties to the Basel Convention on how to request assistance under the emergency mechanism in case of incident caused by transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and to request the support of the international community in case of incidents. Also, the webinar will introduce the procedure to be followed by Parties to request funds as well as measures to respond to incidents involving the dumping of hazardous wastes. The webinar will briefly introduce measures that Parties could put in place to prevent accidents and damage to the environment caused by the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes.

Contents

1. Introduction – 5 min.
2. The Emergency mechanism of the Basel Convention - Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions - 20 minutes
3. International Response to Environmental Disasters – UNEP/OCHA Unit- 20 minutes
4. Questions and Answers - 15 min.

Target audience

Basel Convention focal points, Basel competent authorities, Basel regional centres, UNEP regional offices, officially designated national focal points and staff of the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit.

Schedule and registration

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
28 May 2013, at 10 am (Session in English)	Register
30 May 2013, at 4 pm (Session in English)	Register

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, preferably a headset or a microphone and speakers and a good internet connection.

Additional information

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

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).

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+2 hours)	Please register some days in advance of the webinar sessions
Tuesday, 4 June at 10 am (English)	Register
Thursday, 6 June 4 pm (Spanish)	Register
Tuesday, 11 June at 11 am (French)	Register
Wednesday, 12  June at 10 am (Russian)	Register
Thursday, 13 June at 4 pm (English)	Register

 

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).

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
Thursday, 21 March at 10 am (Session in English)

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 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 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).

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
16 April 2013, at 4 pm (Session in English)	Register

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

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.

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+2 hours)	Recordings:
12 March 2013, at 10 am (Session in English)	Recording (English)
14 March 2013, at 10 am (Session in French)	Recording (French)
19 March 2013, at 4 pm (Session in English)	Recording (English)
21 March 2013, at 4 pm (Session in Spanish)	Recording (Spanish)

.

 

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.

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+2 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
13 March 2013, at 4 pm (Session in English)	Register

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
7 March 2013, at 10 am (session in English)	Register

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

 

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
5 March 2013, at 10 am (Session in French)	Register
5 March 2013, at 4 pm (Session in English)	Register
7 March 2013, at 4 pm (Session in Spanish)	Register

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

 

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
14 February 2013, at 4 pm (session in English)	Register

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
   • NIPs guidance package – 10 min
     Presenter: Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
   • Guidance on BAT and BEP for PFOS and related chemicals  - 20 min 
     Presenter: Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
3. Questions and answers -15 min

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, SAICM FP, Global PFC group.

Schedule and registration

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
18 February 2013, at 2 pm (session in English)	Register

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.

A document has been developed and its main objective is to provide guidance on best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP) for the recycling and final disposal of products and articles containing POP-PBDEs in an environmentally sound manner, following the recommendations of the COP on the elimination of POP-PBDEs from the waste stream. This document also aims to assist Parties reviewing and updating their NIPs with information on how to meet the obligations of the Convention on POP-PBDEs in relevant material flows. It provides guidance on developing action plans for the environmentally sound management (ESM) of POP-PBDE-containing articles and materials based on the POP-PBDE inventory results. In particular, this document will be of use to national Stockholm Convention focal points, the project coordination unit implementing the NIP review and update project, and task teams responsible for conducting POP-PBDEs inventories and developing action plans for managing POP-PBDEs.

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

 

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
19 February 2013, at 4 pm (session in English)	register

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
26 February 2013, at 10 am (in English)	Register

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 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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
7 February 2013, at 4 pm (session 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.

 

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
29 January 2013, at 4 pm (session in English)	-
29 January 2013, at 4 pm  (session in 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

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
15 January, at 4 pm (in English)	Recording

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
11 December, at 4 pm (session in English)	-
13, December, at 4 pm (session in Spanish)	-

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.

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
25 October, at 10 am	Recording
29, November, at 10 am	Recording

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
15 November, at 4pm (Session in English)	Online Form

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
13 November, at 4 pm	Online Form

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+1 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
Thursday, 6 November  at 4 pm (Session in English)	Online Form

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.

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+2 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
11 October, at 04 pm	Online Form

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.

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+2 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
9 October, at 04 pm	Online Form

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+2 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
2 October, at 4 pm	Online Form

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+2 hours)	Please register a few days in advance. To register, please use the following link:
18 September, at 10 am (Session in English)	Online Form

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+2 hours)	Please register a few days in advance of the webinar. To register, please use the following link:
4 September, at 5 pm	Online Form

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

Date and Time (Geneva time: UTC/GMT+2 hours)	Please register a few days in advance. To register, please use the following link:
20 September, at 10 am	Online Form
25 September, at 4 pm	Online Form

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