EP

United Nations

Environment

Programme

Distr.

GENERAL

UNEP/CHW/WG.4/15/12

28 April 1999

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

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Technical Working Group

 of the Basel Convention

Fifteenth session

Geneva, 12-14 April 1999

REPORT OF THE TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP

I. INTRODUCTION

1. The fifteenth session of the Technical Working Group took place in

Geneva from 12-14 April 1999.

II. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING

A. Opening of the meeting

2. The Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Basel Convention

welcomed participants to the fifteenth session of the Technical Working

Group. She thanked those Parties that provided additional voluntary

contributions to enable a large number of experts from developing countries

to attend this meeting. She further informed the group that this is the

last meeting of the Technical Working Group before the fifth meeting of the

Conference of the Parties that will take place in Basel, Switzerland from

6-10 December 1999.

3. The Chairman of the Technical Working Group also welcomed

participants. He noted that the agenda for the meeting is heavy but was

confident that the group would be able to go through it efficiently.

B. Attendance

4. The meeting was attended by experts designated by the following

Parties to the Convention: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia,

Australia, Austria, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada,

Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Egypt, El Salvador, European Community, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany,

Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel,

Japan, Kuwait, Malawi, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique,

Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New

Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of

Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore,

South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic,

Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey,

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay and Viet Nam.

5. The following observer State was represented: United States of

America.

6. The following United Nations offices and intergovernmental

organizations were represented: United Nations Conference on Trade and

Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Institute for Training and Research
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(UNITAR) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

7. The following non-governmental organizations were represented at the

meeting: Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe (APME), Basel

Action Network (BAN), Bureau de Liaison des Industries du Caoutchouc de

l’U.E. (BLIC), Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), European

Association of Metals (EUROMETAUX), European Chemical Industry Council

(CEFIC), European Metal Trade and Recycling Federation (EUROMETREC),

European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA), Greenpeace International,

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Institute of Scrap

Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),

International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME) and West Coast

Environmental Law Association (WCELA).

C. Officers

8. The following officers constituted the Bureau of the meeting:

Mr. William Scott, South Africa, Chairperson

Mr. Hans Meijer, The Netherlands, Vice-Chairperson

Ms. Maria Nazareth Farani Azevedo, Brazil, Rapporteur

D. Agenda

9. The meeting adopted the following agenda:

1. Opening of the meeting

2. Organization of the meeting

3. Adoption of the Agenda

4. Review or adjustment of lists of wastes contained in Annexes

VIII or IX

(a) Application from the Federal Ministry of Environment,

Youth and Family Affairs of Austria concerning adjustment of

the entry B2060 (Spent activated carbon) of Annex IX

(b) Application from the Ministry of Environment and Forests

of India concerning Copper Oxide Mill Scale and PVC Coated

Cables

5. Consideration of the draft technical guidelines on:

(a) The environmentally sound management of biomedical and

health care waste

(b) The identification and management of used tyres

(c) The identification and environmentally sound management

of plastic waste and its disposal

6. Consideration of the work undertaken by Parties and Signatory

on the hazard characteristics H6.2, H11, H12 and H13

7. Consideration of the wastes about which particular concerns are

or have been expressed

8. Programme of work

9. Other matters

10. Closure of the meeting 
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10. The Chairman made a proposal on the order in which the items on the

agenda would be considered by the meeting which was agreed upon by the

meeting.

III. PLENARY MEETINGS

Agenda item 4(a) - Review or adjustment of lists of wastes contained in

Annexes VIII or IX-Application from the Federal Ministry of Environment,

Youth and Family Affairs of Austria concerning adjustment of the entry

B2060 (Spent activated carbon) of Annex IX

11. Austria provided the meeting with background on the reasons for

making the submission. Further to exchange of views and comments made by

experts, the meeting agreed to forward the following proposal to the fifth

meeting of the Conference of the Parties for its consideration and eventual

adoption of the following amendment of the entry B2060 of Annex IX:

“For improvement, clarity and consistency between the listing

A4160 and B2060, covering all spent activated carbon, whether

hazardous or not, thus providing a better mirror listing, the

following wording is proposed:

Spent activated carbon not containing any Annex I constituents

to an extent they exhibit Annex III characteristics for example

carbon resulting from the treatment of potable water and

processes of the food industry and vitamin production (note

related entry on list A (A4160))”

Agenda item 4(b) - Review or adjustment of lists of wastes contained in

Annexes VIII or IX-Application from the Ministry of Environment and Forests

of India concerning Copper Oxide Mill-Scale and PVC Coated Cables

Copper oxide mill-scale

12. India provided the meeting with the motivation on their submission. 

In particular, the expert from India said that it was important to remove

Copper oxide mill-scale from Annex IX (entry B1240) to avoid ambiguities as

to their classification. She explained that this material is inert and

does not exhibit any Annex III hazard characteristics.

13. Many experts took the floor to indicate that removal of Copper oxide

mill-scale from Annex IX would provide uncertainties as to the status of

this material when traded as wastes. The general understanding of the

experts was that the material under consideration was not hazardous. Also,

they emphasized that classifying a waste on the list B of Annex IX does not

mean that the material considered is always a waste. However, if this 

material is considered a waste it will be classified as B1240 under Annex

IX.

14. Noting that the explanations provided for removing Copper oxide millscale from Annex IX raised issues in regard to the use of Annex IX, one

expert suggested that an information paper could be prepared relating to

the purpose of the list of wastes in Annex IX.

15. The Chairman summarized the discussion:

(a) A large majority of experts are not in favour of removing

Copper oxide mill-scale from Annex IX

(b) The meeting concluded that there are very clear benefits for

leaving Copper oxide mill-scale on Annex IX

(c) It is important to learn from the experience in another forum

regarding similar issues concerning classification
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(d) The Secretariat of the Basel Convention is to prepare elements

of an information paper for future Technical Working Group on the

purpose of Annex IX

PVC Coated Cables

16. India provided the meeting with background to the reasons for

submitting the application. She informed the meeting that India would wish

to keep the proposal on the agenda of future meeting of the Technical

Working Group.

Agenda item 5(a) - Consideration of the draft technical guidelines on the

environmentally sound management of biomedical and health care waste

17. Germany, as the lead country, made a presentation on the current

status of the draft text of the guidelines. To supplement information, the

Secretariat briefed the meeting on its cooperation with WHO, in particular

the interest of WHO that work undertaken in the context of the Basel

Convention be consistent with WHO guidelines.

18. Several experts, while commending Germany and other Parties that have

worked on the draft, recognized the need to better capture in the document

the needs and particular situation of developing countries.

19. Issues of the affordability of technologies as well as the

environmental effects of their use and occupational health safety issues

were raised by some experts who considered that such topics should be

further discussed in the draft.

20. A number of Parties informed the meeting that the document could

benefit from the experience gained at the national level and offered to

make such experience available by providing national guidance documents.

21. A number of technical points were made by experts, including the need

to address segregation and co-disposal of wastes; monitoring of fate of

residues; that landfilling for untreated biomedical wastes is not allowed

in some countries; need for more technical information on incineration.

22. One expert reminded the group of the need to ensure relationship

between the development of these guidelines and work progressing on the

hazard characteristic H6.2 (Infectious substances).

23. It was emphasized by some experts that more clarity should be brought

into the document in regard to placing it in its proper context and that,

for instance, for reasons of completeness and comprehensiveness reference

to radio-active wastes appears in the document.

24. One expert said that in his country, concerns are being expressed

regarding the recycling or recovery of wastes originating from hospitals.

25. Another expert reminded the Group of the work done by the fourteenth

session of the Technical Working Group in particular the new structure it

developed and the need to incorporate all chapters referred to in Annex 2

of the Report of the fourteenth session of the Technical Working Group in

the guidelines.

26. The Chairman constituted a small working group chaired by Germany

with the task of providing the Technical Working Group with way forward in

the revision of the guidelines.

27. The small group discussed in particular how concerns expressed by

developing countries could be reflected in the draft guidelines on

biomedical and health care waste. The sub-group suggested to incorporate

the elements presented by India and Pakistan among others.
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28. In addition hereto the sub-group agreed that the following issues

should be addressed:

(a) cost effectiveness and comparison of alternative treatment

options

(b) assessment of the environmental impact 

(c) the problems of operation and maintenance of treatment

facilities in developing countries

(d) on- and off-site treatment of medical wastes

(e) management of biomedical and health care waste as an integral

part of the management and safety of the health care facility

(hospitals or clinics)

(f) revise the chapter on waste management auditing - include a

point by point plan (checklist) in the guidelines 

(g) the problems related to recycling of biomedical and health care

waste

(h) training of persons involved with the management of biomedical

and health care waste

29. It was further agreed that comments should be submitted to Germany by

the end of May 1999 and that a revised draft of the guidelines should be

made available for the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
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Agenda item 5(b) - Consideration of the draft technical guidelines on the

identification and management of used tyres

30. Industry was invited by the Chairman to make a presentation of the

revised version they prepared for the Technical Working Group. Industry

thanked the authorities from the Netherlands for the preparation of the

first draft of these guidelines.

31. The experts who took the floor thanked industry for all its efforts

to develop the text of the technical guidelines considered to be a very

useful document.

32. One expert said that several way forward could be followed to use the

guidelines, eg: make national plans for used tyres, including for imported

tyres if relevant; install appropriate facilities for disposal or

recycling; prohibit import; ensure procedure is being applied by members of

the European Community concerning export of used tyres. He also indicated

that it would be important to asses how the guidelines are being applied in

practice, for instance, in two years time.

33. Some experts informed the meeting that the import of used tyres for

energy recovery or incineration is prohibited. One expert expressed the

need to include in the guidelines the alternative of producing friendly byproducts closest to the source of waste generation instead of importing

used tyres for incineration or energy recovery to developing countries due

to difficult implementation of and compliance with environmental controls. 

He also suggested the inclusion of “commercial by-products” in the

“recycling” box in the diagram on page 2 of the guideline document. 

Another expert said that in her country import of used tyres was fully

prohibited.

34. Several experts noted that there is a need to further develop or

expand the section of the guidelines that deal with the potential risks to

the environment, and to provide additional references concerning work done

on leaching.

35. The Chairman summarized the discussion:

(a) The Secretariat will finalize the technical guidelines

incorporating comments made at this meeting as well as comments to be

submitted to it preferably by 10 May 1999

(b) The meeting agrees that the document is in a suitable form to

be submitted to the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties

for adoption, with inclusion of comments as referred to above

(c) The meeting takes note of the relevance of testing the use of

the technical guidelines in 2 years time and to revise it as

necessary

Agenda item 5(c) - Consideration of the draft technical guidelines on the

identification and environmentally sound management of plastic waste and

its disposal

36. Industry, who prepared the revised technical guidelines, made a

presentation to the meeting. Following this, the Chairman invited

technical comments on the document.
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37. Several experts who took the floor expressed concern as to references

in the document that would pre-empt future discussion on the classification

of PVC wastes and PVC coated cables in the context of the Basel Convention.

38. Cross-reference to relevant existing technical guidelines was

mentioned by one expert who also said that the document could be improved

by developing a better structure.

39. The issue of the costs involved in the disposal or recycling of

plastic wastes as well as accessibility of appropriate technologies in

developing countries was raised by some experts. Another expert pointed

out that costs factors as well as safety factors should be considered.

40. Several experts confirmed the usefulness of the technical guidelines

and the need to make them available as soon as possible.

41. Other experts expressed concerns at the lack of recycling facilities

and limitation on recycling possibilities with the recurrent problems of

unsound disposal of plastic wastes. Also, segregation of contaminated

plastic wastes or equipment needed to be addressed.

42. Several experts said that the technical guidelines should be

applicable, practical and technically feasible taking into account the

particular situation of developing countries.

43. One expert suggested the inclusion of recycled plastics packaging

which contained wastes of potentially toxic chemical substances as a waste

of concern, given the potential impact on food and medical use.

44. One expert said that in her country concerns are expressed in regard

to problems linked to the importation of contaminated plastic wastes.

45. Another expert explained that it would be preferable to have two

separate documents, one for PVC wastes, another one for plastic wastes.

46. The Chairman summarized the discussion as follows:

• The meeting confirms the need and usefulness of the technical

guidelines.

• Costs implications and realistic application to be considered.

• Take note of concern expressed in regard to references in the

document that may prejudice conclusions of the work undertaken

by the Secretariat of the Basel Convention, at the request of

the Technical Working Group, on scientific information on PVC

wastes and PVC coated cables, and streamlining of the document

would be necessary to delete such references.

• The Secretariat will take charge of finalizing the draft

technical guidelines. In order to do so, comments were invited

from experts that should be submitted to the Secretariat

preferably before 15 May 1999.
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Agenda item 6 - Consideration of the work undertaken by Parties and

Signatory on the hazard characteristics H6.2, H11, H12 and H13

Hazard characteristic H6.2 (Infectious substances)

47. The United Kingdom, as lead country, made a presentation of their

preliminary draft scoping paper and invited experts to provide further

comments to enable him to review the paper. He pointed out to the

particular consideration of the distinction between intrinsic hazard and

risk-based approach.

48. Several experts took the floor on the issue of intrinsic versus riskbased approach and recognized that it is difficult to apply intrinsic

hazard alone as the nature of the waste may change over time. They also

emphasized that the WHO risk based classification of infectious substances

represented a useful base for application.

49. One expert had a word of caution in regard to the fact that testing

may not always be sufficient for infectiousness and that other assessment

or means would need to be considered.

Hazard characteristic H11 (Toxic (Delayed or chronic))

50. The United States, as the lead country, introduced their draft

scoping paper that was distributed to the participants and indicated that

it would be useful to have a preliminary discussion on this paper, and

invited experts to provide them with comments to assist in the further

development of the scoping paper.

51. While some experts indicated that it was not appropriate to use risk

and exposure assessment in the context of the Basel Convention but rather

that assessment of the intrinsic hazard should be applied, other experts

pointed out to the difficulties of applying intrinsic hazards alone to

chronic toxicity.

52. One expert informed the meeting that in her country risk assessment

approach is considered for H11 and applied in case of doubts of the nature

of the wastes, testing in this case would be the responsibility of an

independent accredited laboratory.

Hazard characteristic H12 (Ecotoxic)

53. Denmark, as the lead country, introduced its draft scoping paper. 

She emphasized the step-wise approach adopted to make it a practicable and

useable document. She indicated that step 3 (Tier 3) of the paper may not

be applicable today as work by other intergovernmental organizations in

this field was not completed. 

54. One expert said that other aspects such as degradation products and

endocrine disruption needed to be referred to in the paper.

55. Another expert emphasized that while designing a system that is

practicable and affordable, it would be important to rely on information

concerning the process that generate the waste or its composition. This

would avoid unnecessary testing. He further noted that direct testing for

ecotoxicity can be done and provide direct results but that other derived

methods are necessary.

56. An expert said that the work on H12 is extremely useful for

developing countries and that geographical and climatic conditions needed

to be considered. Another expert supported this view and said that

geographical, ecological and economic issues are to be considered in

evolving work on H12. The issue of the importance of sampling was raised

by one expert.
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57. Another expert pointed out that the relationship of the work on H12

with other criteria (eg: H6; H11 and H13) needed to be discussed.

58. Some experts raised the issue of the applicability of extrapolating

ecotoxicity tests on aquatic media to the terrestrial dimension, and the

issue of the inapplicability of using criteria relevant to organic

materials as opposed to inorganic materials, in particular to metal-bearing

wastes.

59. The same experts indicated that there is a need to look at practical

examples and the implications of the use of H12. Also, the issue of

harmonization was important for existing applications internationally.

60. One expert acknowledged that the 1998 OECD recommendations for the

classification of chemicals was useful and that the development of tests

for terrestrial systems will take time.

61. A small group chaired by Denmark was set up to revise the draft

scoping paper on H12. The group reported that there had been a fruitful

discussion on especially the issues related to: (a) the definition of H12;

(b) the special problem with the ecotoxicological hazard assessment of the

metals; and (c) the use of the terrestrial effect data. It was agreed that

Denmark should continue with the work to develop the H12 criteria and that

a revised draft should be made available for the fifth meeting of the

Conference of the Parties and for the next meeting of the Technical Working

Group.

Hazard characteristic H13

62. The European Community, as lead Party with Egypt, made a report on

progress carried out so far on H13.

63. Many experts emphasized the usefulness of focusing attention on the

practical use of H13. It was also recognized that other testing methods

than leachate should be considered to progress with an issue that is very

complex. One expert suggested to test for other substances, eg. dioxins.

64. One expert informed the meeting that in her country, when H13 would

be applied for deposit underground the leachate test would be adequate. 

For other disposal operations, assessment of H13 would be required.

65. Another expert said that it was important to look at what materials

are controlled under H13 by the Parties and that one way forward would be

to look at the mandatory annual reporting by Parties under Article 13. In

this regard, the Secretariat would assist by compiling relevant information

from the 1995 and 1996 reporting of Parties.

66. While an expert expressed the view that H13 is a very particular

characteristic and that there was a need to broaden the scope of

application to include all Annex IV disposal options - noting that it is

difficult to reduce application solely to the intrinsic hazard - another

expert pointed out that it would not be useful to mix intrinsic hazards

with the treatment of wastes and that application of H13 should focus on

the waste and not on the disposal operations.

Way forward for H6.2, H11, H12 and H13

67. The meeting commended the lead Parties and Signatory for their work

in developing the scoping papers and recognized that further work is

required. The meeting decided that the Secretariat should prepare a report

to the next meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Committee for the

implementation of the Basel Convention, tentatively scheduled in late June

1999, highlighting progress made in this work. This would assist the Openended Ad Hoc Committee to consider a decision prepared by the Technical

Working Group for consideration by the fifth meeting of the Conference of

the Parties.
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Agenda item 7 - Consideration of the wastes about which particular concerns

are or have been expressed

68. The experts who took the floor thanked the Secretariat for having

prepared a better structured document making it possible to progress with

the matter.

69. Discussion took place on each of the six wastes identified by the

Technical Working Group as being of concern. A number of comments were

made by experts in regard to the way forward and how to deal with these

wastes. In this regard, one expert said that the Technical Working Group

has spent a lot of time on this issue and that, now it should be possible

to make submissions for placement of some of these wastes on Annex VIII or

IX. He further said that his country is ready to make applications for

asbestos (forms other than dust and fibres) and for ceramic-based fibres of

physico-chemical characteristics similar to those of asbestos.

70. The issue of the need to consider the scope of Annex I was raised by

a few experts noting, however, that this would have effects on the scope of

the Convention.

71. One expert informed the meeting that he will present an information

paper concerning waste brake fluids, in particular focussing on

concentration limits for contamination by waste oils.

72. Some experts noted that some of the wastes could be identified in

Annex I to the Convention, while other experts still had difficulties with

Annex I classification for these wastes.

73. One expert informed the meeting that the OECD has made available

technical information to assist Parties in making submissions on several

wastes. Another expert said that it would be important to take into

account work undertaken under the UNEP auspices regarding persistent

organic pollutants.

74. The Chairman summarized the discussion on each of the six wastes

considered:

(a) Asbestos (forms other than dust and fibres)

• Applications for this waste will be made by a Party for

its placement on Annex VIII or Annex IX using the

Application Form Procedure agreed upon by the Technical

Working Group. This application should assist in

clarifying issues raised in regard to the specific

materials to be considered.

(b) Ceramic-based fibres of physico-chemical characteristics

similar to those of Asbestos

• Applications for this waste will be made by a Party for

its placement on Annex VIII or Annex IX using the

Application Form Procedure agreed upon by the Technical

Working Group.

• Work completed within the European Community on the

classification of this material in the chemical area

should be taken into consideration. 

• A further breakdown of the different ceramic-based fibres

is required to better assessed which ones would exhibit

Annex III hazard characteristics.

(c) Aluminium skimmings
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• The proposed step-wise approach described in the

Technical Sheet No. 3 of document UNEP/CHW/WG.4/15/4 was

retained as a useful way forward. In this regard,

section (b) of the step-wise approach should apply to the

waste classified on Annex IX (entry B1100). Section (b)

reads as follows:

“(b) Aluminium skimmings that are flammable or

emit upon contact with water flammable gases (H4.3)

should be assessed by the Competent Authority in

regard to its environmentally sound management.”

(d) Surface active agents (Surfactants)

• A further breakdown of the different surfactants species

is required to better assessed which ones would exhibit

Annex III hazard characteristics.

• Annex I entries Y4 and Y17 could be suitable for certain

surfactants.

• Applications could then be made to classify specific

surfactants in Annex VIII or IX.

• Note to be taken on the limited capacity of developing

countries to recycle surfactants

(e) Waste brake fluids

• A Party is preparing a paper on the issue of

concentration of hazardous constituents to assist in the

classification of materials contaminated with oil.

(f) Silver halides

• Uncertainty remains as to the identification of silver

halides in Annex I to the Basel Convention (Y16?)

• Entries B1180 and B1190 of Annex IX encapsulate waste

photographic film and paper containing silver halides and

metallic silver.

75. The meeting agreed that the best way forward for countries

experiencing difficulties with these wastes would be to make a submission

to the Technical Working Group using the Application Form Procedure.

Agenda item 8 - Proposed work programme of the Technical Working Group

76. The Secretary to the meeting introduced the document in front of the

meeting emphasizing that the elements of the programme of work are those

decided upon by the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties and

further elaborated by the Technical Working Group at its thirteenth and

fourteenth sessions (April 1998 and November 1998).

77. Australia confirmed its offer to prepare a first draft of the

technical guidelines on the recycling/reclamation of metals and metal

compounds (R4) subject to availability of financial resources. The meeting

welcomed this offer.

78. One expert indicated that the Technical Working Group should consider

to carry forward work related to the management and disposal of wastes of

certain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). He indicated that his

country supported the inclusion of two specific tasks related to POPs in

the work programme of the Technical Working Group, namely:

(a) Consider the classification of waste pesticides destined for
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reformulation together with details of recovery operations of concern

(Task I);

(b) Issue guidance notes or materials as necessary to the

organizations involved in PIC and POPs on the classification and

hazard characterization of wastes within the framework of the Basel

Convention (Task VI).

He also said that the Technical Working Group should include in its

programme the issue of the stockpiling for the purpose of disposal/

destruction, or for recycling as it has many similarities with operations

D15 or R13 of Annex IV, and therefore would be of relevance to the Basel

Convention.

79. Some discussion took place on the appropriateness of considering

amending Annex I. In this regard, several experts stressed that a case-bycase basis should be considered. One expert explained that revision of

Annex I could be done in a similar way as for the placement of wastes on

the lists contained in Annexes VIII and IX. Another expert said that the

Technical Working Group could develop a procedure or mechanism for Annex I

similar to the one adopted by the Technical Working Group for the placement

or removal of wastes on Annex VIII or IX. The need to look at implications

of any changes of Annex I to Annex VIII or IX was raised by an expert.

80. One expert indicated that priority should be given to Task I on

hazard characteristics, including initiation of work on the hazard class

H10.

81. Another expert said that it would be important for the Technical

Working Group to consider those elements that are either not addressed or

inadequately covered in the programme of work. He referred, in particular,

to the need for the Technical Working Group to address the issues of the

prevention and monitoring of illegal traffic, capacity building and the

widening of the work on environmentally sound management.

82. The meeting agreed to the elements contained in the programme of work 

annexed to this Report, and to submit it to the fifth meeting of the

Conference of the Parties.

Agenda item 9 - Other matters

83. The Secretary presented document UNEP/CHW/WG.4/15/3 concerning Global

Harmonization of Systems of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, and

indicated that the Secretariat would welcome any guidance from the

Technical Working Group on how to improve cooperation with the United

Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, in

particular in relation to the work undertaken by the Technical Working

Group on the hazard characteristics H6.2, H11, H12 and H13.

84. One expert reminded the meeting of the Declaration of the African

Group on the need for the Basel Convention to take into account the

specific problems of the African countries made at the fourteenth session

of the Technical Working Group in November 1998 (ref. Annex 7 of the Report

of the fourteenth session of the Technical Working Group).

85. The expert from the U.S.A. informed the meeting that in view of Task

VII of the programme of work relating to harmonization between the OECD and

the Basel Convention, and recognizing the additional work this cooperation

may entail for the Secretariat, the United States has increased its

voluntary contribution to the Secretariat of the Basel Convention. In

addition to this voluntary contribution, the United States will provide

US$300,000 in funding for several regional centre projects.

86. The Technical Working Group initiated discussion on the issue of the

dismantling of ships. Experts noted that this is an issue that is complex
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and entails legal, technical, occupational health and financial aspects. 

The meeting agreed that this is an issue of relevance to the Basel

Convention and noted that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is

working on the matter.

87. Several experts supported a step-wise approach in dealing with this

issue and emphasized the need to obtain factual information.

88. One expert informed the meeting that special consideration should be

given to the fact that ships from developed countries are sunk in the

Caribbean region as artificial reefs and dive attractions. There have been

cases where ships have been sent to the Caribbean without having been

stripped or cleaned of residues. Consequently, partial dismantling of

ships for such purposes need to be considered.

89. One expert informed the group of the activities initiated by his

country on this issue and informed the meeting that relevant reports on

this matter will be made available to the Joint meeting of the Technical

Working Group with the Consultative Sub-group of Legal and Technical

Experts that will take place just after the Technical Working Group. 

Another expert said that his country will provide the Secretariat of the

Basel Convention with report on this issue.
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90. One expert said that cleaner production of ships would be important

so less hazardous wastes would be generated at the site where ships are

dismantled. He emphasized that cooperation was required to assist in

improving the situation regarding dismantling of ships.

91. The Chairman summarized the discussion:

(a) This is an important issue to consider in the context of the

Basel Convention

(b) There is yet more factual information to be collected on the

topic

(c) Cooperation with IMO is important

92. In regard to the issue of dismantling of ships, the Technical Working

Group agreed to the following step-wise approach:

(a) Requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to collect and

compile all the studies and data concerning the dismantling of ships

made available by Parties and Signatories of the Basel Convention,

intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations

(b) Invites the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties,

taking into account work ongoing at the Marine Environment Protection

Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to

consider giving a mandate to the:

(i) Technical Working Group to collaborate with the IMO on

the subject of dismantling of ships and to prepare guidelines

for the environmentally sound management of the dismantling of

ships

(ii) Consultative Sub-group of Legal and Technical Experts of

the Basel Convention to discuss the legal aspects under the

Basel Convention relating to coverage of ships meant for

dismantling with a view to identifying practical ways to ensure

that the Convention’s requirements and objectives are

satisfied, and to report to the Technical Working Group on the

outcome of its work

(c) Also requests the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to send a

representative to the next Marine Environment Protection Committee of

IMO, that will meet from 28 June to 2 July 1999, to make a statement

reflecting the above-mentioned proposed cooperation and to report to

the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties on progress in

cooperation

(d) Further invites IMO to inform the fifth meeting of the

Conference of the Parties on its work on this issue

93. The meeting requested that the above-agreed step-wise approach should

be transmitted to the second session of the Joint meeting of the Technical

Working Group with the Consultative Sub-group of Legal and Technical

Experts (14-16 April 1999).
UNEP/CHW/WG.4/15/12

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./...

IV. CLOSURE OF THE MEETING

94. After the usual exchange of courtesies, the Chairman of the Technical

Working Group declared the meeting closed at 12.45 hrs. on 14 April 1999.
UNEP/CHW/WG.4/15/12

Page 16

./...

ANNEX

PROGRAMME OF WORK 

UNTIL THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (DECEMBER 1999)

Tasks Activities Responsibility

I. Hazard characterization

and classification of

wastes

1. Contribution to the report of the Technical Working Group to

the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties on:

(a) Review of applications 

(b) Status of wastes on list C

(c) Review or adjustment of lists of wastes contained in

Annexes VIII and IX

(d) Wastes about which particular concerns are or have been

expressed

SBC

SBC

SBC

SBC

2. The consideration of:

(a) Finalization of scoping papers on hazard characteristics

H6.2; H11; H12 and H13

(b) Initiation of work on the hazard characteristic H10

Parties and Signatory

Party(ies)

3. Review of available and forthcoming scientific information

concerning the evaluation of the potential environmental health

effects of the disposal of PVC wastes and PVC coated cables

(draft) 

SBC

4. Consideration of the following activities as part of the

future work programme of the Technical Working Group:

(a) Implementation of a work programme on dioxins and

dibenzofurans

(b) Classification of waste pesticides destined for

reformulation together with details of recovery operations of

concern (see also section VI-3)

TWG
UNEP/CHW/WG.4/15/12

Page 17

Tasks Activities Responsibility

./...

II. Technical guidelines/

guidance documents

1. Consideration of the preparation of technical guidelines, as

part of the future work programme of the Technical Working Group,

on:

(a) Waste batteries

(b) Monitoring and closure plans for the facilities (guidance

to operators)

(c) Recycling/reclamation of metals and metal compounds (R4)

(d) Wastes resulting from surface treatment of metals and

plastics (Y17)

TWG

III. Harmonized Commodity

Description and Coding

System (HS) of the World

Customs Organisation (WCO)

1. Initiate work with the WCO on the issue of correlation of the

lists of wastes of the Basel Convention with the HS codes; SBC to

liaise with UNCETDG, IMO and OECD (see also section VI-4)

SBC

2. Propose a framework and action for ensuring proper reflection

of the wastes covered by the Basel Convention in the HS, and

further explore relationship of the Basel Convention and HS codes

with the UN Recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods

(see also section VI-4)

Expanded Bureau and

SBC

IV. Annex II of the Basel

Convention

Contribution to the Report of the Technical Working Group to the

fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties on the issue of

Annex II (ie: scope of the Annex)

SBC

V. Annex VII (Analysis) Being considered by the Joint meeting of the Technical Working

Group with the Consultative Sub-group of Legal and Technical

Experts (progress to be reported to the fifth meeting of the

Conference of the Parties)

Joint meeting of the

TWG with the

Consultative Subgroup of Legal and

Technical Experts
UNEP/CHW/WG.4/15/12

Page 18

Tasks Activities Responsibility

./...

VI. Cooperation with UNEP

Chemicals and relevant

organizations

Prior informed consent (PIC) for hazardous chemicals and

persistent organic pollutants (POPs):

(a) Provide technical guidance to the Secretariat of the Basel

Convention on matters pertaining to coordination among

intergovernmental bodies responsible or involved in developing

legally binding instruments for hazardous chemicals to ensure

there is no overlap with or gaps between these instruments and

the Basel Convention

(b) Issue guidance notes or materials as necessary to the

organizations involved in PIC and POPs on the classification

and hazard characterization of wastes within the framework of

the Basel Convention

TWG

VII. Work on harmonization Harmonization of lists of wastes and related procedures concerning

transboundary movements of wastes and hazardous wastes at the

world level: Provide guidance to the Secretariat of the Basel

Convention on technical implications and modalities required to

aim at achieving compatibility among the different

international/regional systems dealing with the control of

transboundary movements of wastes and hazardous wastes. The

Secretariat of the Basel Convention to cooperate closely with OECD

on this matter.

TWG

VIII. Other tasks agreed

upon by the fourth meeting

of the Conference of the

Parties (Decision IV/24)

1. Regional centres for training and technology transfer

Provision of technical input or guidance to assist in the

establishment and operation of the regional centres

TWG

2. Recovery, hazardous wastes minimization and cleaner

production:

(a) Continue with the work of selecting hazardous waste

susceptible to cleaner production approaches within the

framework of the Basel Convention

(b) Further initiate case studies on recovery of hazardous

waste and assessment of recovery facilities

TWG
UNEP/CHW/WG.4/15/12

Page 19

Tasks Activities Responsibility

IX. Report to the fifth

meeting of the Conference

of the Parties

To report to the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties on

progress made in the implementation of its work programme for

1998-1999 (including activities completed so far)

TWG

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