In December 2002, in relation to the environmentally sound management (ESM) of waste lead-acid batteries, COP-6, by decision BC-6/22, adopted the Technical Guidelines for the Environmentally Sound Management of Waste Lead-acid Batteries.
At its fifteenth meeting, in decision BC-15/11, the COP decided to:
- update the technical guidelines on ESM of waste lead-acid batteries (paragraph 2)
- develop technical guidelines on ESM of waste batteries other than waste lead-acid batteries (paragraph 4)
A small intersessional working group (SIWG), co-led by Uruguay, China, European Union and its member states was established for the updating of the technical guidelines on ESM of waste lead-acid batteries and the development of the technical guidelines on ESM of waste batteries other than waste lead-acid batteries. Parties and observers were invited to nominate experts to participate in the SIWG by 31 July 2022 (paragraphs 6 and 7).
At its sixteenth meeting the mandate of the SIWG was extended until COP17, by decision BC-16/6.
Work following COP-16
The COP requested the lead countries, assisted by the Secretariat and in consultation with the SIWG, to prepare:
- updated technical guidelines on ESM of waste lead-acid batteries, for consideration at the OEWG-14
- a draft of the technical guidelines on ESM of waste batteries other than waste lead-acid batteries for consideration during COP-17