Article 1 
The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade signed in Rotterdam on 11 September 1998, (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Rotterdam Convention’), is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.
Article 2 
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to deposit, on behalf of the Community, the Declaration of competence set out in the Annex to this Decision, in accordance with Article 25(3) of the Rotterdam Convention.
Article 3 
This Decision shall take effect from 19 December 2002.