EU conference on international trade in dangerous chemicals

Over 100 pesticide regulators from European and developing countries, MEPs, chemical and trade specialists and NGOs gathered in Brussels at a Conference on International Trade in Dangerous Chemicals hosted by the European Commission (EC) in July. Held at the request of Members of the European Parliament, the conference aimed to recommend improvements to the EU Regulation (2455/92) on trade in hazardous chemicals, as well as to guide EU Member States on elements for a Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Convention (see PN28).
    The Director General of the EC environment Directorate, Marius Enthoven, pointed out that “there are more than 1,900 chemicals in trade, and with 200 being added each year, the regulatory capacity is lagging behind developments.”
    In 1992, the PIC procedure was made legally binding in the European Union (EU) and UN negotiations for a PIC Convention should be completed in 1997. Shortcomings in PIC have been identified, and there is pressure to develop stronger measures in the Convention, either during negotiations or to attach later as protocols.
    The mood in the EC meeting was both concerned and constructive. While industry representatives stressed the danger of over-regulation and the importance of free trade, most delegates felt that restrictions on trade in hazardous chemicals were overdue, and called for stronger European legislation.
    Recommendations included more systematic and frequent notification of hazardous exports; more details of the exporter, importer and shipping information; and substantially improved monitoring of compliance. The meeting recognised that more resources must be devoted to building capacity for chemicals in management in developing countries, along with support for alternatives, where such exist, to toxic chemicals.

Export bans
Controversy centred on the recommendation for a ban on the export of banned chemicals, as supported by the governments of Denmark, Malaysia, Sweden and Costa Rica. While sympathetic to the intention of this strategy, many NGOs believe this would encourage production to move to developing countries and advocate a global phase-out of certain named chemicals. The Government of Denmark has agreed to host a meeting for further discussions.

Conclusions
While many of the recommendations made to the conference were not new, they were nevertheless far-reaching in comparison to the existing voluntary PIC and the EU Regulation, and included a number that, until recently, would have been dismissed as too onerous and impractical.  (BD)