Fourteenth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG-14)

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its sixteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal agreed to hold the fourteenth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG-14) in Geneva, in the week commencing 24 June 2024.

Note by the Secretariat

A tentative schedule for the fourteenth 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. The schedule will be adjusted as work progresses. 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 strategic framework (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/2), the annex to the present note sets out a draft renewed strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention as prepared by the small intersessional working group for consideration by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a draft renewed strategic framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention prepared by the small intersessional working group, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth 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 work to improve the functioning of the prior informed consent procedure (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/3), the annex to the present note sets out the draft report on challenges in the implementation of the prior informed consent procedure and best practices, possible approaches and initiatives to improve its functioning, as well as options for possible ways forward. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out the draft report on challenges in the implementation of the prior informed consent procedure and best practices, possible approaches and initiatives to improve its functioning, as well as options for possible ways forward, prepared by the lead county in consultation with the small intersessional working group, as revised by the by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/4), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants which was prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes. The updates made to the technical guidelines adopted by decision BC-16/3 of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in May 2023 have been tracked so that they can be easily identified. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a revised version of the general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/4), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether, or tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether, or decabromodiphenyl ether, or Dechlorane Plus which was prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a revised version of the technical guidelines on hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether, or tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether, or decabromodiphenyl ether, or Dechlorane, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/4), 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 the pesticides aldrin, alpha hexachlorocyclohexane, beta hexachlorocyclohexane, chlordane, chlordecone, dicofol, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, lindane, methoxychlor, 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, which were prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes. The changes made to the technical guidelines adopted by decision BC-15/6 of the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in June 2022 have been tracked so that the revisions can be easily identified. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a 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, methoxychlor, 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, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/4), the annex to the present note sets out the draft technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with UV-328 which was prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a revised version of the technical guidelines on the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with UV-328, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/4), 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 the pesticides aldrin, alpha hexachlorocyclohexane, beta hexachlorocyclohexane, chlordane, chlordecone, dicofol, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, lindane, methoxychlor, 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, which were prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes. The changes made to the technical guidelines adopted by decision BC-15/6 of the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in June 2022 have been tracked so that the revisions can be easily identified. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a revised version of the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste lead-acid batteries, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/4), the annex to the present note sets out the draft technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste batteries other than waste lead-acid batteries. The draft builds on the table of contents reflecting the outcome of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties , taking into account comments received by Parties and others pursuant to paragraph 5 of decision BC-16/6 on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste lead-acid batteries and on other waste batteries. Further amendments were included at the first meeting of the small intersessional working group (SIWG) on waste batteries, which took place in Geneva, from 10 to 12 March 2024. Following the meeting, the technical guidelines were further amended by the co-lead countries and the Secretariat, as agreed during the meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a revised version of the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste batteries other than waste lead-acid batteries, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/4), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of used and waste pneumatic tyres which was prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on waste tyres. The changes made to the technical guidelines adopted by decision BC-10/6 of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in October 2011 have been tracked so that the revisions can be easily identified. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a revised version of the technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of used and waste pneumatic tyres, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth 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 national reporting (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/5), the annex to the present note sets out information received in response to the invitation to inform the Secretariat of the types of waste streams for which additional practical guidance on the development of inventories would be useful. 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 national reporting (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/5), the present note sets out possible revisions to table 9 of the reporting format and to the manual for completing the format for national reporting.

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.14/6), the small intersessional working group met on 6 March 2024, in Geneva, and discussed, among other things, elements that could be considered in its future work and that could be set out in the report to be prepared for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventeenth meeting. As requested by the small intersessional working group , the annex to the present note was prepared by the Secretariat taking into account views expressed by the working group during its 6 March 2024 meeting. The group did not yet discuss each of these elements in depth. 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 further consideration of plastic waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/7), annex I to the present note sets out information on further activities that could be conducted under the Basel Convention in response to developments in scientific knowledge and environmental information related to plastic waste, as well as in the consideration by the intergovernmental negotiating committee referred to in paragraph 1 of resolution 5/14 of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme. Annex II to the present note provides an update on the intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

Annex I to the present note sets out information on further activities that could be conducted under the Basel Convention in response to developments in scientific knowledge and environmental information related to plastic waste, as well as in the consideration by the intergovernmental negotiating committee referred to in paragraph 1 of resolution 5/14 of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. Annex II to the present note provides an update on the intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. 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 waste containing nanomaterials (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/8), the annex to the present note sets out information received from Parties and observers on 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. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated practical guidance for the development of inventories of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The updates and adjustments have been tracked so that they can be easily identified. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC-16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated revised fact sheets on specific waste streams. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. 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 hexabromocyclododecane. In addition, the annex includes adjustments to reflect revisions to the names of other technical guidelines referred to in the document. The updates and adjustments have been tracked so that they can be easily identified. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. 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 polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated terphenyls, polychlorinated naphthalenes or polybrominated biphenyls including hexabromobiphenyl. In addition, the annex includes adjustments to reflect revisions to the names of other technical guidelines referred to in the document. The updates and adjustments have been tracked so that they can be easily identified. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated guidance document on environmentally sound management of used and end-of-life computing equipment. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated revised guideline on environmentally sound testing, refurbishment and repair of used computing equipment. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated revised guideline on environmentally sound material recovery and recycling of end-of-life computing equipment. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated report with environmentally sound management criteria recommendations. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated report on strategies, actions and incentives to promote environmentally sound management of end-of-life computing equipment. 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 amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/9), the Secretariat prepared draft updates of the documents listed in paragraph 1 of decision BC 16/12 in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of those amendments. The annex to the present note sets out the draft updated manual on steps to establish and implement environmentally sound Management for used and waste computing equipment. 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.14/10), annex I to the present note sets out revised amendment proposals on section A of Annex IV to the Convention, and annex II sets out a revised version of recommendations regarding the review of section B of Annex IV developed by the expert working group on the review of annexes. The present note, including its annexes, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

Annex I to the present note sets out revised amendment proposals on section A of Annex IV to the Convention, and annex II sets out a revised version of recommendations regarding the review of section B of Annex IV developed by the expert working group on the review of annexes, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. 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 providing further legal clarity (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/10), annex I to the present note sets out draft recommendations of the expert working group on the review of annexes regarding the review of Annex I (status 1 December 2023) and draft recommendations of the expert working group on the review of annexes regarding the review of Annex III (status 1 December 2023). 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 Consultation with the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/11), the annex to the present note sets out a report reviewing the information provided in tables 4 and 5 of the national reports for the years 2020 and 2021 for consultation with the Open-Ended Working Group. The report was made available by the Secretariat on behalf of the Committee to Parties and observers with an invitation to provide comments by 31 May 2024. Any comments received will be considered by the Committee during its sixteenth meeting (23–24 June and 29 June–2 July 2024). 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 Consultation with the Committee Administering the Mechanism for Promoting Implementation and Compliance (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/11), the annex to the present note sets out guidance on how individual Parties can integrate action to address their needs under the Basel Convention into their United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks for consultation with the Open-Ended Working Group. The guidance was made available by the Secretariat on behalf of the Committee to Parties and observers, as well as to the United Nations resident coordinators, the representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the United Nations Country Teams, UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization, with an invitation to provide comments by 31 May 2024. Any comments received will be considered by the Committee during its sixteenth meeting (23–24 June and 29 June–2 July 2024). 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 Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/12), the annex to the present note sets out the draft guidance document on the environmentally sound refurbishment and repair of used and waste equipment of television screens, audio and video equipment and on the environmentally sound management of waste equipment of television screens, audio and video equipment developed by the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste on the basis of the table of contents set out in annex I to document UNEP/CHW.16/INF/31. The changes made to the table of contents have been tracked so that the revisions can be easily identified. 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 Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/12), the annex to the present note sets out the draft guidance document on the environmentally sound refurbishment and repair of used and waste equipment of refrigerators, cooling and heating equipment and on the environmentally sound management of waste equipment of refrigerators, cooling and heating equipment developed by the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste on the basis of the table of contents set out in annex II to document UNEP/CHW.16/INF/31. The changes made to the table of contents have been tracked so that the revisions can be easily identified. 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.14/12), annex I to this document sets out a report of the activities undertaken by the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste (PACE II), hereinafter referred to as “the Partnership”, since the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention. Annex II to this document sets out the draft programme of work of the working group of the Partnership for the biennium 2026–2027. 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 Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/12), the annex to the present note sets out the further revised draft overall guidance document on the environmentally sound management of household waste for consideration by 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 Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/12), the annex to the present note sets out the report on the implementation of the workplan of the working group of the Household Waste Partnership for the biennium 2024–2025. 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.14/12), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the activities of the working group of the Partnership on Plastic Waste. 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.14/13), annex I to the present note sets out a summary report on the progress of the work of the World Customs Organization on the Harmonized System related to the Basel Convention. Annex II sets out the information that the Secretariat invited Parties and others to provide to facilitate the inclusion of waste covered by the Basel Convention in the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. 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 technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.14/4), the annex to the present note sets out a summary of discussions by the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes on enhancing the collection of information on low persistent organic pollutant content values.

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note sets out a revised version of the draft format for the collection of information on low persistent organic pollutant (POP) content definitions, as revised by the Open-ended Working Group at its fourteenth meeting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.