The Rotterdam Convention (officially, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade) is an international agreement that helps countries share responsibility for importing dangerous chemicals. The agreement encourages the free sharing of information and requires exporters of hazardous chemicals to use clear labels, provide instructions for safe handling, and inform buyers about any known restrictions or bans on these chemicals. Countries that signed the agreement can choose whether to allow or prohibit the import of chemicals listed in the treaty. Exporting countries must ensure that companies within their borders follow these rules.
In 2012, the secretariats of the Basel and Stockholm conventions, along with the UNEP (a part of the Rotterdam Convention secretariat), combined into one group. This group is organized to support all three conventions. The three conventions now hold their meetings together as part of their joint efforts.
The ninth meeting of the Rotterdam Convention took place from April 29 to May 10, 2019, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Substances covered under the Convention
The following chemicals are included in Annex III of the convention:
- 2,4,5-T and its salts and esters
- Alachlor
- Aldicarb
- Aldrin
- Asbestos – Actinolite, Anthophyllite, Amosite, Crocidolite, and Tremolite only
- Benomyl (certain types)
- Binapacryl
- Captafol
- Carbofuran (certain types)
- Chlordane
- Chlordimeform
- Chlorobenzilate
- DDT
- Dieldrin
- Dinitro-ortho-cresol (DNOC) and its salts
- Dinoseb and its salts and esters
- 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB)
- Endosulfan
- Ethylene dichloride
- Ethylene oxide
- Fluoroacetamide
- Hexachlorocyclohexane (mixed isomers)
- Heptachlor
- Hexachlorobenzene
- Lindane
- Mercury compounds, including inorganic and organometallic mercury compounds
- Methamidophos (certain types)
- Methyl parathion (certain types)
- Monocrotophos
- Parathion
- Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters
- Phosphamidon (certain types)
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs)
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs)
- Terbufos
- Tetraethyl lead
- Tetramethyl lead
- Thiram (certain types)
- Toxaphene
- Tributyltin compounds
- Trichlorfon
- Tris (2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TRIS)
Substances recommended for addition to the Convention
The Chemical Review Committee of the Rotterdam Convention suggested that the conference of the parties meeting think about adding the following chemicals to Annex III of the convention:
- Carbosulfan
- Chrysotile asbestos
- Fenthion (ultra low volume (ULV) mixtures with 640 grams or more of active ingredient per liter)
- Liquid mixtures (emulsifiable concentrate and soluble concentrate) with 276 grams or more of paraquat dichloride per liter, which equals 200 grams or more of paraquat ion per liter
- Acetochlor
- Iprodione
State parties
As of October 2018, the convention has 161 parties. These include 158 UN member states, the Cook Islands, the State of Palestine, and the European Union. Non-member states include the United States.
Discussion about chrysotile asbestos
At the 2011 meeting of the Rotterdam Convention in Geneva, the Canadian delegation surprised many people by refusing to allow chrysotile asbestos fibers to be added to the Rotterdam Convention. Hearings are planned in the European Union soon to review Canada’s position and consider whether to take action that could lead to penalties.
Canada continues to oppose the listing, and it is the only G8 country doing so. Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine also opposed the listing. Vietnam had raised an objection but missed a later meeting to discuss the issue. Canada’s government took a different position from India, which removed its long-standing objection to adding chrysotile to the list just before the 2011 conference. (India later changed its position in 2013.)
Many non-governmental organizations have publicly criticized Canada’s decision to block the addition of chrysotile to the list.
In September 2012, Canadian Industry Minister Christian Paradis announced that the Canadian government would no longer oppose including chrysotile in the convention.
At the Rotterdam Conference of Parties in 2015, eight of the largest chrysotile-producing and exporting countries opposed adding chrysotile to the convention: Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Cuba, and Zimbabwe.