Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent
 Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and
  Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam, 10 September 1998)

OBJECTIVES

        The objective of the Convention is to promote shared responsibility and cooperation among Parties in international trade of certain hazardous pesticides and chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm. 
        The Convention renders the monitoring and controlling of trade in dangerous substances more efficient and transparent. In addition, the Convention strengthens the ability of importing countries to decide which chemicals they wish to receive and to exclude those they cannot manage safely. If trade does take place, the Convention’s requirements for labelling and provision of information on potential health and environmental effects will promote the safe use of such chemicals.


KEY PROVISIONS

        The Convention establishes a Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure as a means for obtaining and disseminating the policies of importing countries relating to future shipments of certain chemicals and for ensuring compliance with such policies by exporting countries. The decision not to import a certain chemical must be trade neutral, i.e., such a decision must be followed by a prohibition of domestic production of the chemical for domestic use or for imports from any other source. 
        The Convention provides for the exchange of information among Parties of potentially hazardous chemicals that may be imported and exported, and for a national decision-making process regarding import and compliance by exporters.
        Each Party shall facilitate the exchange of scientific, technical, economic and legal information concerning the chemicals within the scope of this Convention. Parties shall also facilitate the provision of publicly available information on domestic regulatory actions. Information on domestic regulatory actions that substantially restrict one or more uses of a chemical shall be made available to other Parties, directly or through the secretariat of the Convention.
        The Convention provides for technical assistance between the Parties. The Parties shall cooperate in promoting technical assistance for development of infrastructure and the capacity necessary to manage chemicals to enable the implementation of the Convention. In this respect, the needs of developing countries and countries with economies in transition shall be taken into account. 
        Each Party must designate one or more national authorities to act on its behalf in the performance of the administrative functions required by the Convention. 
        The implementation of the Convention will be overseen by a Conference of the Parties. A Chemicals Review Committee will be established to review notifications and nominations from Parties, and make recommendations to the Conference of the Parties on which chemicals should be included in the PIC procedure. The Convention requires that the entire process be conducted in an open and transparent manner.


ENTRY INTO FORCE

        The Convention is not yet in force. It will enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.


HOW TO BECOME A PARTY

        The Convention is closed for signature. It remains open for ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by States and by regional economic integration organizations.
        When an organization, one or more of whose member States is a Party to the Convention, becomes a Party to the Convention, the organization and the member States shall not be entitled to exercise rights under the Convention concurrently.


OPTIONAL AND/OR MANDATORY DECLARATIONS

        When ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Convention, or at any time thereafter, a Party that is not a regional economic integration organization may declare that, with respect to any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention, it accepts the submission of a dispute to the International Court of Justice and/or arbitration in accordance with procedures to be adopted by the Conference of the Parties.
        A Party that is a regional economic integration organization may make a declaration with like effect in relation to arbitration.
        At the time of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, a regional economic integration organization is required to make a specific declaration on its competence with respect to matters governed by the Convention.


RESERVATIONS

        No reservations may be made to this Convention.


WITHDRAWAL/DENUNCIATION

        At any time after three years from the date on which this Convention has entered into force for a Party, that Party may withdraw from the Convention by giving written notification to the depositary. Any such withdrawal shall take effect upon expiry of one year from the date of receipt by the depositary of the notification of withdrawal, or on such later date as may be specified in the notification of withdrawal.   


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