Work programme of the Open-ended Working Group for the biennium 2024-2025

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Topics

Activities

Mandate

Priority

  I.      Strategic issues

A.      Strategic framework

Consider the draft renewed strategic framework prepared by the small intersessional working group.

Decision BC-16/1

High

B.       Work to improve the functioning of the prior informed consent procedure

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

Decision BC-16/2

High

2.        Consider the 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.

Decision BC-16/2

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‑16/3 and other technical guidelines, as appropriate.

Decision BC-16/3

High

2.        Update the general technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, and specific technical guidelines with regard to the chemicals listed in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants by decisions SC‑11/9, SC-11/10 and SC-11/11 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-16/3

High

3.        Consider the report on progress in the implementation of decision BC‑16/5 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-16/5

Medium

4.        Consider the draft updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of waste lead‑acid batteries and on other waste batteries.

Decision BC-16/6

High

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

Decision BC-16/7

Medium

B.       National reporting

1.        Consider practical guidance on the development of inventories of waste cartridges and toners and olive oil milling waste, if developed by the Secretariat.

Decision BC-16/9

Medium

2.        Consider the types of waste for which additional practical guidance on the development of inventories would be useful.

Decision BC-16/9

Medium

3.        Consider the possible revisions to table 9 of the reporting format and to the manual for completing the format for national reporting.

Decision BC-16/14, para. 9

High

C.       Electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents

Consider the report with further recommendations on electronic approaches to the notification and movement documents.

Decision BC-16/10

Medium

D.      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 to health impacts related to plastic waste as a source of land pollution, marine plastic litter and microplastics.

Decision BC-16/11

Medium

E.       Waste containing nanomaterials

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

Decision BC-16/13

Low

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

Consider the updates to existing guidance, technical guidelines and fact sheets in order to reflect adjustments consequential to the adoption of the e‑waste amendments.

Decision BC-16/12

Medium

G.      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 revised amendment proposals regarding Annex IV prepared by the expert working group on the review of annexes and provide recommendations for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventeenth meeting.

Decision BC-16/15

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 seventeenth meeting.

Decision BC-16/15

High

B.       Consultation with the Implementation and Compliance Committee

1.        Consult with the Committee on whether a review of the information provided in tables 4 and 5 of the national reports for the years 2020 and 2021, taking into account relevant experience of Parties, could help identify discrepancies in the information reported by Parties.

Decision BC-16/14

High

2.        Consult with the Committee on the provision of guidance on how individual Parties can integrate action to address their needs under the Basel Convention into their United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks.

Decision BC-16/14

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 2024-2025.

Decision BC-16/18

Medium

2.        Consider the revised draft of the overall guidance document on the environmentally sound management of household waste.

Decision BC-16/18

High

3.        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 2024-2025.

Decision BC-16/18

Medium

4.        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 2024-2025.

Decision BC-16/18

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-16/8

Medium