Development of Technical Guidelines on e-waste

The revised technical guidelines on transboundary movements of electrical and electronic waste and used electrical and electronic equipment, in particular regarding the distinction between waste and non waste under the Basel Convention, was adopted, on an interim basis, at the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties by decision BC-16/5. This revised version of the guidelines reflects the e-waste amendments as per decision BC-15/18. 

Work following COP-16

In accordance with paragraph 4 of decision BC-16/5, the mandate of the expert working group has been extended.

Parties and observers were invited to use and test the technical guidelines adopted on an interim bases by decision BC-16/5 and submit before 30 April 2024 theirs results for the consideration of the expert working group (paragraph 5).

As per paragraph 5, the COP requested the expert working group to prepare updated technical guidelines based on the results submitted, for consideration of the COP-17.

Work following COP-15

In accordance with paragraph 2 of decision BC-15/7, the mandate of the expert working group has been extended. As per paragraph 3, each regional group was invited to reconsider their nominated members of the expert working group by 15 August 2022. More details on the expert working group composition can be found in that specific page.

Parties and observers were invited to use and test the technical guidelines adopted on an interim bases by decision BC-14/5 and submit before 31 October 2022 theirs results for the consideration of the expert working group (paragraph 4).

As per paragraph 5, the COP requested the expert working group to prepare updated technical guidelines based on the results submitted, for consideration of the COP-16. Amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX to the Basel Convention should also be taken into consideration for this update. Comments and/or queries should be sent to Ms. Carla Valle-Klann, Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (Email: carla.valle [at] un.org). Comments received by 31 October 2022 are also listed in the comments page;

Work following COP-14

At its fourteenth meeting, by its decision BC-14/5, the Conference of the Parties (COP), acknowledged the need to look further into sub-paragraphs 32(a) and 32(b) of the revised technical guidelines, in particular the concerns of Parties on the distinction between waste and non-waste to advance the work towards the finalization of the guidelines;Comments received regarding paragraph 4.In paragraph 5 of the same decision, the COP decided to extend the mandate of the expert working group established by paragraph 5 of decision BC-13/5.

In paragraph 7 of the same decision, the COP invited each regional group to reconsider their nomination and nominate, as appropriate, through its Bureau representatives, by 30 June 2019, members of the expert working group with relevant knowledge and expertise;

Please find here the list of members to the Expert Working Group on the e-waste technical guidelines, between COP-14 and COP-15.

In paragraph 8 and 9 of the same decision, the COP invited Parties and others to use and test, on a pilot basis, the revised technical guidelines and to submit, not later than two months before the twelfth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group, through the Secretariat, comments on the activities above and the results of using and testing the revised technical guidelines;

Comments received regarding paragraphs 8 and 9

In paragraph 13(a) of the same decision, the COP requested the Secretariat to continue to provide, subject to the availability of resources, training to developing-country Parties and other Parties in need of assistance in using the technical guidelines referred to in paragraph 3 above, and to organize such activities in cooperation with the Basel Convention regional and coordinating centres or by other appropriate means;

At the online session of the OEWG-12 meeting in September 2020, Parties and Observers made statements related to the technical guidelines. These are available here.Following the online session of the OEWG-12 meeting, Parties and Observers were invited to provide comments related to the technical guidelines. These are available here.

Work following COP-13

At its thirteenth meeting, by its decision BC-13/5, the COP established an Expert Working Group to undertake further work on the technical guidelines adopted on an interim basis at COP-12. And the government of China has offered to lead the referred work.

Please find here the list of members to the Expert Working Group on the e-waste technical guidelines, between COP-13 and COP-14.

In paragraph 11 of the same decision, the COP, requested the Secretariat to develop, as appropriate, and in consultation with the lead country, a revised questionnaire based upon paragraph 3 of decision OEWG-10/5, and send it out to Parties and others by 30 September 2017. Parties and others were invited to provide responses to the questionnaire to the Secretariat by 30 November 2017. 

Compilation of responses to the questionnaire was set out to the OEWG at its eleventh meeting. (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.11/INF/16)

In paragraph 3 of the same decision, the COP invited Parties and others to provide comments on different aspects related to the development of the technical guidelines, to the Secretariat, by 30 October 2017. Please find below the comments provided. 

The Expert Working Group on the e-waste technical guidelines had their first face-to-face meeting in Beijing, China, on 25-26 January, 2018.The Expert Working Group on the e-waste technical guidelines will have their second face-to-face meeting from 17 to 19 April 2018, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting invited parties and others to use the technical guidelines, which were adopted on an interim basis, and to submit, not later than two months before the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, through the Secretariat, comments on their experience in so doing, and to provide comments on the issues mentioned in paragraph 5 of decision BC-12/5, to the Secretariat five months before the opening of the tenth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group for consideration at its meeting.

Comments received from Parties and others on the issues mentioned in paragraph 5 of decision BC-12/5 are listed in a table below.

Information transmitted by Parties on any conditions applicable in relation to used equipment that should normally be considered waste or non-waste (paragraph 8 of decision BC-12/5) is available here.