Framework for the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes

The Framework for the environmentally sound management (ESM) of hazardous wastes and other wastes was adopted by the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties in its decision BC-11/1 on Follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative.

Intended as a practical guide for all stakeholders, the Framework identifies what can be done to address the challenges of implementing the ESM of hazardous wastes and other wastes.

The Framework is comprised of three sections: 

  1. A common understanding of what environmentally sound management encompasses 
  2. Tools to support and promote the implementation of environmentally sound management
  3. Strategies to implement environmentally sound management

The Framework also provides information on the role of key stakeholders in the implementation of ESM, the linkage between ESM and transboundary movements and indicators for the verification of performance.

Recommendations

The Framework makes the following recommendations. 

  1. Parties to the Basel Convention should:
    1. Compile baseline information on those waste-related aspects identified in paragraph 19 of the Framework and develop strategies based on this information (Ref. paragraphs 18 & 19 of the Framework);
    2. Review implementation of the strategies referred to in subparagraph (a) above on a periodic basis. In the event that goals are not being met or desirable results are not being achieved, the problem and its root cause should be identified, corrective action should be implemented and the implementation plan and/or strategy should be updated where necessary (Ref. paragraphs 18, 19 & 20 of the Framework);
    3. Formalize development and implementation of strategies under the work of the Basel Convention to facilitate and advance ESM at the international and regional levels, taking into consideration the guidance provided in this framework and specifically the core goals outlined in paragraph 20 of the Framework (Ref. paragraphs 18, 19 & 20 of the Framework).
  2. National Governments should formalize development and implementation of strategies to facilitate and advance ESM at the national and local levels, taking into consideration the guidance provided in this Framework (Ref. paragraph 26 of the Framework).
  3. The “Other stakeholders” mentioned in this framework should be encouraged to formalize development and implementation of actions to achieve ESM, taking into consideration the guidance provided in this Framework (Ref. paragraphs 27 to 35 of the Framework).

Implementation of the ESM Framework

In support of the implementation of the ESM Framework, the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties mandated an expert working group to undertake actions on initial short-term work items, as listed in annex II to decision BC-11/1 on follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative. It also requested the group to develop a work programme for additional priorities and key work items and actions for the implementation of environmentally sound management. The mandate of the expert working group was subsequently extended at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

Request for Information

By its decision BC-11/1 on follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention, the Conference of the Parties invited parties and other stakeholders to provide to the Secretariat information on activities undertaken to implement the framework for the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes, including any examples of waste prevention programmes. The request was reiterated at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, by decision BC-12/1.

Contact point:
Ms. Susan Wingfield
E-mail: susan.wingfield@brsmeas.org
Tel: +41-22-917-8406