See the ENTRI query system for information about the signatory status of this treaty.
BASEL CONVENTION ON THE CONTROL OF TRANSBOUNDARY MOVEMENTS
OF HAZARDOUS WASTES AND THEIR DISPOSAL
Objectives
==========
To set up obligations for State Parties with a view to: (a)
reducing transboundary movements of wastes subject to the Basel
Convention to a minimum consistent with the environmentally sound
and efficient management of such wastes, (b) minimizing the amount
and toxicity of hazardous wastes generated and ensuring their
environmentally sound management (including disposal and recovery
operations) as close as possible to the source of generation; (c)
assisting developing countries in environmentally sound management
of the hazardous and other wastes they generate.
Summary of provisions
=====================
(a) Parties prohibiting the import of hazardous wastes or
other wastes shall inform the other Parties of their decision
pursuant to article 13. The other Parties, when so informed, shall
prohibit or shall not permit the export of hazardous wastes to the
Parties that have prohibited the import of such waste (art. 4 (1)
(a));
(b) Parties are to prohibit the export of hazardous wastes
and other wastes if the State of import does not consent in writing
to the specific import, in the case where the State of import has
not prohibited the import of such wastes (art. 4 (1) (c));
(c) Parties are to prohibit all persons under their national
jurisdiction from transporting or disposing of hazardous wastes or
other type of wastes unless such persons are authorized or allowed
to perform such types of operations (art. 4 (7) (a));
(d) Parties are to designate or establish one or more
competent authorities as focal points to receive notifications (art.
5);
(e) States of export shall not allow the generator of
hazardous wastes or other wastes to commence the transboundary
movement until they have received written confirmation that the
notifier has received the written consent of the State of import
(art. 6);
(f) Parties are to cooperate with each other in order to
improve and achieve environmentally sound management of hazardous
wastes and other wastes (art. 10);
(g) In case of an accident occurring during the transboundary
movement of hazardous or other wastes or their disposal that is
likely to present risks to human health and the environment in other
States, those States must be immediately informed (art. 13);
(h) The Convention includes an annex establishing arbitration
procedures for settling disputes between Parties.
Membership
==========
The Convention is open for membership to all States and by
political and/or economic integration organizations.
Date of adoption 22. 3.1989
Place of adoption Basel, Switzerland
Date of entry into force 5. 5.1992
Languages Arabic, Chinese, English,
French, Russian, Spanish
Depositary Secretary-General of the
United Nations
(Status as of 30 June 1993)
Participant Signature Ratification
Acceptance (At)
Approval (Ap)
Accession (Ac)
---------- ---------- ---------------
Afghanistan 22. 3.1989
Antigua and Barbuda 5. 4.1993 (Ac)
Argentina 28. 6.1989 27. 6.1991
Australia 5. 2.1992 (Ac)
Austria 19. 3.1990 12. 1.1993
Bahamas 12. 8.1992 (Ac)
Bahrain 22. 3.1989 15.10.1992
Bangladesh 1. 4.1993 (Ac)
Belgium 22. 3.1989
Bolivia 22. 3.1989
Brazil 1.10.1992 (Ac)
Canada 22. 3.1989 26.11.1992
Chile 19. 1.1990 9.11.1992
China 22. 3.1990 17.12.1991
Colombia 22. 3.1989
Cyprus 22. 3.1989 17. 9.1992
Czech Republic 1. 1.1993 (S)
Denmark 22. 3.1989
Ecuador 22. 3.1989 23. 2.1993
Egypt 8. 1.1993 (Ac)
El Salvador 22. 3.1990 13.12.1991
Estonia 21. 7.1992 (Ac)
Finland 22. 3.1989 19.11.1991 (At)
France 22. 3.1989 7. 1.1991 (Ap)
Germany 23.10.1989
Greece 22. 3.1989
Guatemala 22. 3.1989
Haiti 22. 3.1989
Hungary 22. 3.1989 21. 5.1990 (Ap)
India 15. 3.1990 24. 6.1992
Iran, Islamic
Republic of 5. 1.1993 (Ac)
Ireland 31. 1.1990
Israel 22. 3.1989
Italy 22. 3.1989
Jordan 22. 3.1989 22. 6.1989 (Ap)
Kuwait 22. 3.1989
Latvia 14. 4.1992 (Ac)
Lebanon 22. 3.1989
Liechtenstein 22. 3.1989 27. 1.1992
Luxembourg 22. 3.1989
Maldives 28. 4.1992 (Ac)
Mauritius 24.11.1992 (Ac)
Mexico 22. 3.1989 22. 2.1991
Monaco 31. 8.1992 (Ac)
Netherlands 22. 3.1989 16. 4.1993 (At)
New Zealand 18.12.1989
Nigeria 15. 3.1990 13. 3.1991
Norway 22. 3.1990 2. 7.1990
Panama 22. 3.1990 22. 2.1991
Philippines 22. 3.1989
Poland 22. 3.1990 20. 3.1992
Portugal 26. 6.1989
Romania 27. 2.1991 (Ac)
Russian Federation 22. 3.1990
Saudi Arabia 22. 3.1989 7. 3.1990
Senegal 10.11.1992 (Ac)
Seychelles 11. 5.1993 (Ac)
Slovakia 23. 5.1993 (S)
Spain 22. 3.1989
Sri Lanka 28. 8.1992 (Ac)
Sweden 22. 3.1989 2. 8.1991
Switzerland 22. 3.1989 31. 1.1990
Syrian Arab
Republic 11.10.1989 22. 1.1992
Thailand 22. 3.1990
Turkey 22. 3.1989
United Arab
Emirates 22. 3.1989 17.11.1992
United Kingdom 6.10.1989
United Republic of
Tanzania 7. 4.1993 (Ac)
United States of
America 22. 3.1990
Uruguay 22. 3.1989 20.12.1991
Venezuela 22. 3.1989
European Economic
Community 22. 3.1989
Convention Secretariat
======================
Secretariat of the Basel Convention
United Nations Environment Programme
Geneva Executive Centre
15 Chemin des Anemones, 1219 Chatelaine
Geneva
Switzerland
Telephone: 41-22-979-9111
Fax: 41-22-797-3454
Telex: 415465 UNE CH
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