Twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG-12)

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Because of the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, on 9 July 2020, the Bureau of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG-12) of the Basel Convention agreed to hold OEWG-12 in two components, consisting of an online segment and a face to face segment. The online segment consisted of two online sessions held over two days, on Tuesday, 1 September 2020 and on Thursday, 3 September 2020. Through a written procedure after the OEWG-12 Bureau meeting on 18 November 2021, the OEWG Bureau agreed that the face-to-face segment of OEWG-12 would be held in Nairobi over three days from Monday, 4 April to Wednesday, 6 April 2022, and that it would focus on a set of prioritized agenda items for which progress could be made during the face-to-face segment of the meeting and in advance of the face-to-face segment of the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-15, Geneva, 617 June 2022).

Note by the Secretariat

A tentative schedule for the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal is set out in the annex to the present note. It was agreed by the Bureau of the Open-ended Working Group via electronic means on Wednesday, 23 February 2022, and will be adjusted as work progresses. For more information on the prioritized agenda items, the objective and possible outcomes of the face-to-face segment and the organization of work see the scenario note set out in document UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/INF/1/Rev.2. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the compilation of actions proposed for consideration during the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out the draft report on the final evaluation of the strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention for 2012–2021, prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the small intersessional working group on the strategic framework, and taking into account the comments submitted during and following the online segment of twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group. The annex to the present note is identical to the annex to document UNEP/CHW.15/INF/5. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the report of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal on the work of its twelfth meeting (face-to-face segment, 4–6 April 2022) (UNEP/CHW.OEWG.12/16/Add.1), the annex to the present note sets out the revised draft practical manual for stakeholders to ensure that notifications of transboundary movements meet environmentally sound management requirements reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/4), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of comments received from Parties and observers on low persistent organic pollutant content values included in the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants. Comments were submitted, pursuant to paragraph 7 of decision BC-14/4, by Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Myanmar, Switzerland and Thailand. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with the pesticides aldrin, alpha hexachlorocyclohexane, beta hexachlorocyclohexane, chlordane, chlordecone, dicofol, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, lindane, mirex, pentachlorobenzene, pentachlorophenol and its salts, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride, technical endosulfan and its related isomers or toxaphene or with hexachlorobenzene as an industrial chemical reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on Cooperation with the World Customs Organization on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/13), annex I to the present note sets out the progress in the work of the World Customs Organization on the Harmonized System related to the Basel Convention; annex II sets out the proposal for amendment to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System with respect to waste oils containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at a specific concentration level, which has been submitted to the World Customs Organization by the Secretariat; and annex III sets out a draft proposal on amendments to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding system with respect to plastic waste, taking into consideration the amendments to annexes to the Basel Convention adopted by decision BC-14/12. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound incineration of hazardous wastes and other wastes as covered by disposal operations D10 and R1 reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound disposal of hazardous wastes and other wastes in specially engineered landfill (D5) reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the compilation of actions proposed for consideration during the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with mercury or mercury compounds.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with mercury or mercury compounds reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the draft updated technical guidelines on the identification and environmentally sound management of plastic wastes and for their disposal reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the draft practical guidance on the development of inventories of plastic waste reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the draft practical guidance on the development of an inventory of obsolete pesticides and pesticide-container waste reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the revised draft practical guidance on the development of inventories of waste batteries containing lithium reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/6), the annex to the present note sets out a report prepared by the Secretariat on experiences, at the national and international levels, in developing and implementing electronic systems for exchanging information on or controlling the movements of goods and wastes, and lessons learned from such experience. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on national legislation, notifications, enforcement of the Convention and efforts to combat illegal traffic: common interpretation of the meaning of “State of transit” (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/11), the annex to the present note sets out a summary of the information submitted by Parties to the Basel Convention in response to question 3h(i) of the annual national reports on a definition of “State of transit” in national legislation and question 3h(ii) on a definition of State of transit” included otherwise than in national legislation for the period from 2016 to 2018. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on a compilation of actions proposed for consideration during the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/17), annex I to the present note set out background information related to a possible future assessment of the effectiveness of the measures taken under the Basel Convention to address plastic waste and to possible further activities that could be conducted under the Basel Convention, revised taking into account the comments received from Parties and observers following the online segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group. Annex II to the present note sets out draft recommendations on such a possible future assessment and on possible further activities that could be conducted under the Convention. The annexes to the present note are identical to the annexes to document UNEP/CHW.15/INF/10. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on a compilation of actions proposed for consideration during the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out information on the implementation of the Environment Assembly resolutions on marine litter and plastic pollution, as submitted by the United Nations Environment Programme. Information on the meetings of the ad hoc open-ended expert group on marine litter and microplastics and resolutions of the United Nations Environment Assembly related to plastic pollution can be found on the website of the United Nations Environment Programme. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on waste containing nanomaterials (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/8), the annex to the present note contains a compilation of information submitted by Parties and others related to activities aimed at addressing issues related to waste containing nanomaterials, including case studies about and best practices relating to the management of waste containing nanomaterials. Reports and studies referred to in the submissions by Switzerland and UNITAR, that are publicly available, have also been made available on the website of the Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the report of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal on the work of its twelfth meeting (face-to-face segment, 4–6 April 2022) (UNEP/CHW.OEWG.12/16/Add.1), the annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the draft guidance on the implementation of paragraph 4 of Article 6 of the Convention reflecting the outcome of the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the report of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal on the work of its twelfth meeting (face-to-face segment, 4–6 April 2022) (UNEP/CHW.OEWG.12/16/Add.1), the annex to the present note sets out the revised version of the draft guidance to improve the implementation of paragraph 11 of Article 6 of the Basel Convention on insurance, bond and guarantee reflecting the correction made during the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group in tracked changes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the report of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal on the work of its twelfth meeting (face-to-face segment, 4–6 April 2022) (UNEP/CHW.OEWG.12/16/Add.1), the annex to the present note sets out the recommendations and findings of the expert working group on the review of Annexes reflecting the outcome of the meeting, including the revised version of the recommendations regarding the entries A1180 and B1110. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on providing further legal clarity (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/10), the annex to the present note sets out a note by the co-chairs of the expert working group on the review of Annexes to support the Open-ended Working Group in providing the expert working group with directions on the way forward. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on providing further legal clarity (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/10), the annex to the present note sets out the comments from Parties and observers received on recommendations for possible amendment proposals to Annex IV and to entries A1180 and B1110 in Annexes VIII and IX to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the findings on the consequential implications of the review of Annex IV to the Convention developed by the expert working group on the review of Annexes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on providing further legal clarity (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/10), the annexes to the present note set out draft versions of the notification document, the movement document, the instructions for completing both documents, the national reporting format and the manual for completing the format for national reporting, showing in yellow highlighting where adjustments may need to be made as a consequence of possible amendments to Annex IV to the Convention. These draft versions are without prejudice to other changes that may be brought to those documents. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the compilation of actions proposed for consideration during the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out the revised draft overall guidance document on the environmentally sound management of household waste.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/12), the annex to the present note sets out a report of the activities of the Household Waste Partnership working group. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/12), the annex to the present note sets out a report on progress made in the implementation of the workplan of the Plastic Waste Partnership working group. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annexes to the present note set out the terms of reference and programme of work for the biennium 2020-2021 of the follow-up partnership to the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment, as adopted by the resumed twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

In the light of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, on 10 June 2020, following the feedback received from Parties on the proposed arrangements for the twelfth meeting of the Open ended Working Group of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, which was to have been held by electronic means from 22 to 25 June 2020, the Bureau of the twelfth meeting of the Open ended Working Group decided to postpone the meeting.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the report of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/16), the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of the written submissions received from Parties and observers during the online segment of the meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the compilation of actions proposed for consideration during the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out comments received from Parties and observers on the final version of the report on the final evaluation of the strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention for 20122021 set out in document UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/INF/4/Rev.1, as well as views on whether to develop a future strategic framework and/or effectiveness evaluation pursuant to paragraph 7 of the Article 15 of the Convention. The annex to the present note is identical to the annex to document UNEP/CHW.15/INF/6. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the compilation of actions proposed for consideration during the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out recommendations from the working group of the follow-up partnership to the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment, notably on adding further types of e-waste to the scope of the terms of reference and on a draft work programme for the biennium 2022-2023. The annex to the present note is identical to the annex to document UNEP/CHW.15/INF/39. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out recommendations from the working group of the follow-up partnership to the Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment, notably on adding further types of e-waste to the scope of the terms of reference and on a draft work programme for the biennium 20222023, as amended and agreed to by the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group . The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on the compilation of actions proposed for consideration during the face-to-face segment of the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.12/17), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the implementation of the activities of the programme of work of the working group of the follow-up partnership for 2020–2021, including regarding the development of revised terms of reference for the follow-up partnership and draft programme of work for the biennium 20222023. The annex to the present note is identical to the annex to document UNEP/CHW.15/INF/33. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.