Developing conventions on transboundary movement of hazardous waste

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends international/regional cooperation to encourage the ratification by states of the Basel Convention and Bamako Convention and to promote implementation of those Conventions. Agenda 21 also recommends formulating appropriate regional agreements, such as the Bamako Convention in the African region, regulating the transboundary movement of hazardous waste in other regions. Regional cooperation would be necessary for the development of similar conventions in other regions. In addition, international, regional and national policies and instruments need effective coordination.

The ADR Agreement, Accord European relatif au transport international des marchandises dangereuses par routes, sets out requirements covering international carriage of dangerous goods by road in Europe. Parties to the Agreement include Member States of the European Union, plus most other States elsewhere in Europe.

The European Commission's Directive (Council Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major-accidents hazards involving dangerous substances) is aimed at the prevention of major accidents involving dangerous substances, and the limitation of their consequences for man and the environment. It replaces a previous Directive on the same subject, Council Directive 82/501/EEC ("Seveso I"), and has both a wider scope and stronger provisions. It imposes stringent obligations on establishments holding dangerous substances. These include information to the public authorities, and the preparation of a major-accident prevention policy, a safety report and emergency plans. It also sets requirements for land-use planning and public information, as well as requirements to be respected when an accident occurs.

Further steps should be taken to provide for public participation in the process of authorizing transportation of nuclear and hazardous wastes, an activity with obvious health implications.