Fifteenth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel Convention (OEWG-15)

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its seventeenth 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 fifteenth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG-15) in Geneva, from 23 to 26 June 2026.

Note by the Secretariat

A tentative schedule for the fifteenth 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 work to improve the functioning of the prior informed consent procedure (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/2), the annex to the present note sets out the draft report on further options for improving the functioning of the prior informed consent procedure, reflecting the outcome of the first part of the second meeting of the small intersessional working group on improving the functioning of the prior informed consent procedure. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

1. Pursuant to paragraph 32 of decision BC-17/2, on work to improve the prior informed consent procedure, adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention at its seventeenth meeting, and in the absence of a lead country, the present draft report on further options for improving the functioning of the prior informed consent (PIC) procedure was prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the small intersessional working group on improving the functioning of the PIC procedure during its second meeting (Geneva, 27–29 November 2025), taking into account the report taken note of by the Conference of the Parties on challenges in the implementation of the PIC procedure and best practices, possible approaches and initiatives to improve its functioning, as well as options for possible ways forward, and the comments received from Parties and observers on further options for improving the functioning of the PIC procedure pursuant to paragraph 31 of the same decision. For ease of reference, decision BC-17/2 is set out in appendix 2 to the present draft report.

2. The report developed by the lead country, in consultation with the small intersessional working group, on challenges in the implementation of the PIC procedure and best practices, possible approaches and initiatives to improve its functioning, as well as options for possible ways forward, (hereinafter “the report developed by the lead country in consultation with the SIWG”) explored in a thematic manner the challenges highlighted by Parties and observers alongside suggestions on possible best practices. The six themes were:

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part I of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), 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. The draft updated general technical guidelines reflect the outcome of the eighth meeting of the small intersessional working group on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, held on 27 and 28 April 2026. The draft updated general technical guidelines are presented with tracked changes to facilitate review. The tracked changes reflect updates that are under review by the small intersessional working group. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

1. The present general technical guidelines provide guidance on the environmentally sound management (ESM) of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (hereinafter referred to as “POP wastes”), pursuant to several decisions of multilateral environmental agreements on chemicals and wastes. This document supersedes the General technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) of May 2025.

2. These technical guidelines serve as an “umbrella” document and should be used in conjunction with the following specific technical guidelines:

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part I of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), 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 short-chain chlorinated paraffins or medium-chain chlorinated paraffins. The draft updated technical guidelines reflect the outcome of the eighth meeting of the small intersessional working group on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, held on 27 and 28 April 2026. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

1. The present technical guidelines provide guidance on the environmentally sound management (ESM) of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) or medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), pursuant to several decisions adopted by the bodies of two multilateral environmental agreements on chemicals and wastes. The SCCPs and MCCPs covered in these guidelines are those considered to be persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in accordance with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and are together referred to as POP-CPs.

2. SCCPs, which in the Stockholm Convention are defined as straight-chain chlorinated hydrocarbons with chain lengths ranging from C10 to C13 and a chlorine content of greater than 48 per cent by weight, were listed in Annex A (Elimination) to the Stockholm Convention in 2017, through an amendment that entered into force in 2018. Additionally, a limit for the presence of SCCPs in mixtures was set at 1 per cent by weight.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part I of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), 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, chlorpyrifos, 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. The draft updated technical guidelines reflect the outcome of the eighth meeting of the small intersessional working group on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, held on 27 and 28 April 2026. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part I of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), 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 perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds, or long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), their salts and related compounds. The draft updated technical guidelines reflect the outcome of the eighth meeting of the small intersessional working group on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, held on 27 and 28 April 2026. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As mentioned in part III of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste lead-acid batteries. The draft updated technical guidelines are presented with tracked changes to facilitate review. The tracked changes reflect updates that have not yet been reviewed by the small intersessional working group on waste batteries. Some appear in sections that were not discussed during the third meeting of the small intersessional working group, held in Geneva from 1 to 4 December 2025, owing to time constraints. Others relate to text considered by the small intersessional working group at that meeting and reflect revisions requested by the group, which were subsequently incorporated by the Secretariat and co-lead countries, with the support of a consultant. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

1. The present technical guidelines provide guidance on the environmentally sound management (ESM) of waste lead-acid batteries (WLAB)0F pursuant to decisions BC-15/11, and BC 16/6 and BC-17/5 of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal. [The terms WLAB and used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) are used interchangeably, at the domestic level, by some Parties.][Although the scope of the present guidelines is WLAB, some Parties manage used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) in a similar manner, given that inadequate handling of either category can pose comparable risks to human health and the environment. In such contexts, those Parties may find these technical recommendations relevant to certain stages of ULAB management, such as handling, collection, and transportation, to the extent that national frameworks consider these stages analogous.]

2. This document supersedes the Basel Convention Technical Guidelines for the Environmental Sound Management of Waste Lead-acid Batteries of September 2003.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part III of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), 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 technical guidelines are presented with tracked changes to facilitate review. The tracked changes reflect updates that have not yet been reviewed by the small intersessional working group on waste batteries. Some appear in sections that were not discussed during the third meeting of the small intersessional working group, held in Geneva from 1 to 4 December 2025, owing to time constraints. Others relate to text considered by the small intersessional working group at that meeting and reflect revisions requested by the group, which were subsequently incorporated by the Secretariat and co-lead countries, with the support of a consultant. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

1. The present technical guidelines, pursuant to decisions BC-15/11, and BC-16/6 and BC-17/5 of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, provide guidance on the environmentally sound management (ESM) of waste batteries other than waste lead -acid batteries (WLAB).

2. The term "other waste batteries (OWB)" is used in the present document to refer to waste batteries other than waste lead- acid batteries.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part IV of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of used and waste pneumatic tyres. The draft updated technical guidelines reflect the outcome of the third meeting of the small intersessional working group on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste tyres, held from 10 to 12 March 2026 and on 8 April 2026. The draft technical guidelines are presented with tracked changes to facilitate review. The tracked changes reflect updates that are under review by the small intersessional working group. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

1. The present technical guidelines provide guidance on the environmentally sound management (ESM) of used and waste pneumatic tyres, pursuant to decisions BC-15/15 and BC-16/7 of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. This document supersedes the revised technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of used and waste pneumatic tyres of October 2011.

2. For the purposes of these technical guidelines, a tyre is a ring-shaped component to transfer the load from a vehicle to the ground surface travelled over. They may be fitted to motorised or non-motorised vehicles. Tyres are made of natural and synthetic rubber. They do not include the wheel rim, or spokes of a wheel.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part V of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), the annex to the present note sets out draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with mercury or mercury compounds, developed by the Secretariat in cooperation with the secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The draft updated technical guidelines are presented in tracked changes to facilitate review. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part VI of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes containing or contaminated with unintentionally produced polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, hexachlorobenzene, polychlorinated biphenyls, pentachlorobenzene or polychlorinated naphthalenes. The changes made to the version of the technical guidelines adopted by the Conference of the Parties in May 2017 are shown in tracked changes to facilitate their review. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part VI of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), the annex to the present note sets out the draft updated technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of the full and partial dismantling of ships. The changes made to the version of the technical guidelines adopted by the Conference of the Parties in December 2002 are shown in tracked changes to facilitate their review. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part VII of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), the annex to the present note sets out draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with hexabromocyclododecane. The draft updated technical guidelines were prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes, to reflect changes consequential to the plastic waste amendments, pursuant to paragraph 6 of decision BC-17/11. The changes made to the version of the technical guidelines adopted by the Conference of the Parties in May 2025 are shown in tracked changes to facilitate their review. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in part VII of the note by the Secretariat on technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), 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. The draft updated technical guidelines were prepared by the Secretariat, in consultation with the small intersessional working group on persistent organic pollutant wastes, to reflect changes consequential to the plastic waste amendments, pursuant to paragraph 6 of decision BC-17/11. The changes made to the earlier version of the technical guidelines adopted by the Conference of the Parties in May 2017 are shown in tracked changes to facilitate their review. 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 technical guidelines (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/3), 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 disposal methods that constitute environmentally sound disposal as referred to in Article 6, paragraph 1 (d) (ii), of the Stockholm Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on national reporting (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/4), the annex to the present note sets out possible revisions to table 9 of the national reporting format and to the manual for completing the format for national reporting. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

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.15/5), pursuant to decision BC-17/10 and with the assistance of a consultant, the Secretariat prepared four draft factsheets on key aspects to consider when developing electronic approaches. Owing to time constraints, the small intersessional working group did not have the opportunity to review the draft factsheets. The topics addressed in this first set of draft factsheets are based on decision BC-17/10 and the report containing further recommendations on electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents (UNEP/CHW.17/INF/17), section II. 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 further consideration of plastic waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/6), annex I to the present note sets out a compilation of comments submitted by Parties and others on the amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX to the Basel Convention adopted in decision BC-14/12 (plastic waste amendments), particularly regarding their implementation, challenges and impacts, as applicable. Submissions were received from eight Parties and eight observers. The submissions are also available on the Basel Convention website.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on follow-up to the amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/8), the annex to the present note sets out a draft of the guidance document on the identification of electrical and electronic waste under the new entries adopted by decision BC-15/18, as well as on the distinction between waste that is to be classified as electrical and electronic waste (Y49 or A1181) and waste that is related to such electrical and electronic waste but can be classified under another entry in Annex II, VIII or IX. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Version of 26 June 2026

1. At its fifteenth meeting in 2022, the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention adopted amendments to Annexes II, VIII, and IX to the Basel Convention in its decision BC-15/18 , which are known as the E-waste Amendments (also replicated in annex I of this guidance). The E-waste Amendments broaden the scope of control over electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) by making all transboundary movements of e-waste subject to the Convention’s prior informed consent (PIC) proce¬dure. This applies to exports, transit and imports of the waste in question.

2. The new waste entries adopted by the E-waste Amendments entered into force for most Par¬ties [A1.1]on 1 January 2025. The previous waste code for hazardous electrical and electronic waste, A1180, was effective until 31 Decem¬ber 2024 and as of 1 January 2025 the new waste entry, A1181, became effective.

Note by the Secretariat

As is mentioned in the note by the Secretariat on cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/13), the annexes to the present note set out revised provisional guidance on the implementation of the Hong Kong and Basel conventions with respect to the transboundary movement of ships intended for recycling (annex I) and an associated explanatory note (annex II), prepared by the Secretariat. The revised provisional guidance sets out, in tracked changes, possible edits to the provisional guidance, including options for paragraph .3, reflecting the range of views expressed in the submissions received pursuant to paragraph 23 of decision BC-17/23, for further consideration by the Open-ended Working Group. 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 used textiles and textile wastes (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/9), the annex to the present note sets out a report on possible options available under the Basel Convention to address used textiles and textile wastes, prepared by the Secretariat. 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.15/10), annex I to the present note sets out revised draft recommendations of the expert working group on the review of annexes regarding the review of Annex I (status 26 November 2025) and annex II sets out revised draft recommendations of the expert working group on the review of annexes regarding the review of Annex III (status 26 November 2025). 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.15/10), the annex to the present note sets out draft revisions to the notification and movement documents and the instructions for completing them, taking into account the recommendations set out in paragraph 5 of the explanatory note of the expert working group on the review of annexes on its revised amendment proposals on Annex IV. 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.15/10), the annex to the present note sets out a draft assessment prepared by the Secretariat on the consequential implications of the amendment to Annex IV for other documents such as technical guidelines and, if appropriate, the glossary of terms. 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 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 of television screens, audio and video equipment. This version of the draft guidance document was prepared by project group 2 of the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste, following the second meeting of the working group, which was held in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 27 to 29 January 2026. The draft guidance document reflects the changes requested by the working group at that meeting, including the restructuring of section three, and the creation of section four as part of that restructuring. 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 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. This version of the draft guidance document was prepared by project group 3 of the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste, following the second meeting of the working group, which was held in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 27 to 29 January 2026. The draft guidance document reflects the changes requested by the working group at that meeting, including the creation of section 4, as agreed by the 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.15/11), annex I to the present note sets out a report on the activities undertaken by the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste, annex II sets out a draft programme of work of the working group of the Partnership for the biennium 2028–2029, and annex III sets out the preliminary results of a survey on needs for the environmentally sound management of e-waste launched by the working group to inform the development of its draft programme of work for the biennium 2028–2029. 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 the Basel Convention Partnership Programme (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/11), the annex to the present note sets out a report on the activities of the working group of the Household Waste Partnership. 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.15/11), 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.15/12), 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 contains information from Parties to assist in the inclusion of plastic waste in the Harmonized System nomenclature and its Explanatory Notes. Annex III sets out the draft proposal, prepared by the Secretariat, for amendments to the Harmonized System with respect to slag, ash and residues containing selenium and tellurium. 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 application for the removal of wastes from Annex IX to the Basel Convention (UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/15), the annex to the present note sets out an application for the removal of entry B3011 on plastic waste from Annex IX to the Basel Convention transmitted by the Government of Norway. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.