The Framework for the environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes was adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention at its eleventh meeting, in decision BC-11/1 on follow-up to the Indonesian-Swiss country-led initiative.
The Framework provides a common point of reference for Parties and other stakeholders. It helps define what environmentally sound management covers and supports the development of strategies, tools and actions to improve waste management.
Why the Framework matters
The Framework is the basis for the ESM Toolkit. It is relevant for competent authorities, waste generators, transporters, facility operators and other stakeholders involved in the management of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
It can support:
- national and local approaches to environmentally sound management;
- policies, strategies and implementation plans;
- waste prevention, minimization, recycling, recovery and disposal;
- assessment of environmentally sound management performance; and
- implementation of the Basel Convention control procedure for transboundary movements.
What the Framework covers
The Framework covers:
- a common understanding of environmentally sound management;
- tools to support and promote implementation; and
- strategies to implement environmentally sound management.
It also addresses the role of stakeholders, the relationship between environmentally sound management and transboundary movements, and the use of indicators to verify performance.
The Framework is complemented by the ESM Toolkit, which contains practical guidance, manuals, factsheets and a national self-assessment checklist.