Basel Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

BRS NEWSLETTER

Assisting parties to protect human health and the environment

May 2018 - No. 20

Welcome

Dear Readers,

As the intersessional work of the three conventions really gathers pace, see this latest edition for information on Secretariat-supported or facilitated initiatives on soil pollution, household waste, e-waste and in-house sustainability, the launch of new publications on legal clarity and exemptions for POPs, the view from Cairo, and much more. One year to the next triple COPs: #Detox!

 

News
New online publication provides additional legal clarity to assist Basel Convention implementation

New online publication provides additional legal clarity to assist Basel Convention implementation

The Glossary of Terms is now available online in all 6 UN languages.

BRS Secretariat supports new initiative on combatting illegal waste shipments

BRS Secretariat supports new initiative on combatting illegal waste shipments

A new World Customs Organisation initiative, known as Operation DEMETER IV, starts in May 2018, to monitor and control cross-border movement of waste in maritime transportation, targeting illegal waste shipments.

New document provides clarity on Rotterdam Convention use definitions

New document provides clarity on Rotterdam Convention use definitions

Part of the Convention’s Resource Kit, this leaflet addresses the role of the use category and challenges that Parties may experience in this regard.

Rome workshop brings together Rotterdam Convention scientific experts from across the world

Rome workshop brings together Rotterdam Convention scientific experts from across the world

The new members of the Chemical Review Committee meet for an orientation workshop in Rome, 16 to 18 April, ahead of commencing their terms of office on 1 May.

Stockholm Convention launches improved electronic reporting system in all 6 UN languages

Stockholm Convention launches improved electronic reporting system in all 6 UN languages

Parties can now benefit from using an updated online system when submitting national reports for the 4th reporting cycle.

New Stockholm Convention factsheet lists exemptions for industrial uses of POPs

New Stockholm Convention factsheet lists exemptions for industrial uses of POPs

Download the new factsheet for information on exceptional uses of PFOS, SCCPs and decaBDE.

BRS contributes to Global Soils Symposium in Rome

BRS contributes to Global Soils Symposium in Rome

The life-cycle approach to chemicals and waste is a key element to protecting soils from pollution.

 

Technical Assistance
Technical Assistance

Upcoming webinars

 

Upcoming workshops

 

Forthcoming meeting
Household waste experts meet in Mauritius to work on environmentally sound management

Household waste experts meet in Mauritius to work on environmentally sound management

With funding support from Norway and Switzerland, the Household Waste Partnership Working Group meets to start working towards a guidance document on environmentally sound management.

 

Emerging issues
BRS Secretariat says Yes to Less

BRS Secretariat says Yes to Less

Ever-conscious of the need to minimise waste, as required of Parties to the Basel Convention, the BRS Secretariat is contributing to the pan-UN campaign encouraging Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

 

Synergies in the spotlight
New pan-UN Coalition formed to tackle E-Waste

New pan-UN Coalition formed to tackle E-Waste

BRS, together with UN Environment, the ILO and the ITU amongst others, is part of a new coalition of UN organisations formed at the recent WSIS2018 Forum to achieve a shared goal of tackling the ever-growing issue of electronic waste.

 

Postcard from Cairo
Towards the sound management of wastes in the Arabic-speaking countries

Towards the sound management of wastes in the Arabic-speaking countries

Read the latest BRS interview, with Moustafa Kamel, Director of the Basel Convention Regional Centre in Egypt.

 

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