Work programme of the Open-ended Working Group for the biennium 2022-2023

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                            Topics

Activities

Mandate

Priority

I.      Strategic issues

A.   Strategic framework

Consider the draft report of findings and recommendations to improve, as appropriate, the strategic framework for the period 2012–2021.

Decision BC-15/3

High

B.    Work to improve the functioning of the Prior Informed Consent procedure

1.   Consider the compilation and synthesis of information on challenges in the implementation of the prior informed consent procedure and on best practices, possible approaches, initiatives and views to improve the functioning of the procedure.

Decision BC-15/3

High

2.   On the basis of its consideration of the compilation and synthesis of information referred to in paragraph 1, develop draft recommendations for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its sixteenth meeting.

Decision BC-15/3

High

II.    Scientific and technical matters

A.   Technical guidelines

1.   Consider comments and information relating to the review of provisional low persistent organic pollutant content values in the general technical guidelines referred to in decision BC‑15/6 and other technical guidelines, as appropriate.

Decision BC-15/6

High

2.   Update the general technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, and the technical guidelines on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, to include perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds, taking into account decision SC-10/9 of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, including the following:

(a)   Establishment of levels of destruction and irreversible transformation for the chemicals necessary to ensure that, when disposed of, they do not exhibit the characteristics of persistent organic pollutants specified in paragraph 1 of Annex D to the Stockholm Convention;

(b)   Determination of which disposal methods constitute environmentally sound disposal as referred to in paragraph 1 (d) (ii) of Article 6 of the Stockholm Convention;

(c)    Establishment, as appropriate, of the concentration levels of the chemicals in order to define for them low persistent organic pollutant content as referred to in paragraph 1 (d) (ii) of Article 6 of the Stockholm Convention.

Decision BC-15/6

High

3.   Consider the report on progress in the implementation of decision BC-15/7 on 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.

Decision BC-15/7

Medium

4.   Consider the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of plastic wastes.

Decision BC-15/10

High

5.   Consider the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste lead-acid batteries.

Decision BC-15/11

High

6.   Consider the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of used and waste pneumatic tyres.

Decision BC-15/15

Medium

7.   Consider whether technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of rubber wastes (entry B3040) and waste parings and scrap of rubber (entry B3080) should be developed.

Decision BC-15/15

Medium

B.    Electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents

Consider the report with recommendations on the next steps regarding the work on electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents.

Decision BC-15/14

Medium

C.    Further consideration of plastic waste

Consider possible further activities that could be conducted under the Basel Convention in response to developments in scientific knowledge and environmental information and health impacts related to plastic waste as a source of land pollution, marine plastic litter and microplastics.

Decision BC-15/15

Medium

D.   Waste containing nanomaterials

Consider information related to activities aimed at addressing issues related to waste containing nanomaterials.

Decision BC-15/16

Medium

E.    Amendments to Annexes II, VIII and IX on e-waste

Consider the need to update existing guidance, technical guidelines and factsheets in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of the e‑waste amendments.

Decision BC-15/18

High

F.    Amendments to the annexes to the Basel Convention

Consider and review any applications for changes and any corrections to the list of wastes contained in Annexes VIII and IX to the Basel Convention.

Decision VIII/15

High

III. Legal, governance and enforcement matters

A.   Providing further legal clarity

1.   Consider the proposals by the European Union to amend Annex IV and certain entries in Annexes II and IX to the Basel Convention and the recommendations and findings of the expert working group, taking into account the discussions at the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, and provide recommendations for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its sixteenth meeting.

Decision BC-15/19

High

2.   Consider progress made in the review of Annexes I and III and provide recommendations for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its sixteenth meeting.

Decision BC-15/19

High

IV.  International cooperation and coordination

A.   Basel Convention Partnership Programme

1.   Consider progress made in and provide guidance on the implementation of the programme of work of the working group of the Partnership for Action on Challenges relating to E-waste for the biennium 2022-2023.

Decision BC-15/22

Medium

2.   Consider progress made in and provide guidance on the implementation of the workplan of the working group of the Household Waste Partnership for the biennium 2022-2023.

Decision BC-15/22

Medium

3.   Consider progress made in and provide guidance on the implementation of the workplan of the working group of the Partnership on Plastic Waste for the biennium 2022-2023.

Decision BC-15/22

Medium

B.    Cooperation with the World Customs Organization on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System

Consider progress made with regard to the inclusion of Basel Convention wastes in the World Customs Organization Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.

Decision BC-15/12

Low