Proposal to amend the Rotterdam Convention

The Rotterdam Convention provides a mechanism for Parties to decide whether to accept imports of hazardous chemicals listed on the Convention and to communicate the decision to exporting Parties. 

The proposal is to create a new Annex – Annex VIII – to the Convention. If the Conference of the Parties (COP) cannot agree to list a chemical in Annex III, a Party to the amended Convention may propose its listing in Annex VIII.

This proposal being put to the COP in May 2023 aims to create a pathway for listing chemicals on the Convention, when the Chemical Review Committee (CRC) has recommended them for listing, but agreement to list them in Annex III cannot be reached by the COP. Chrysotile asbestos being one of those chemicals. The proposal is a means by which importing Parties can benefit from a prior informed consent process, and consequent access to information, pending a chemical’s ultimate listing in Annex III.

Want to know more?

Download the fact sheet for more information on the proposal to amend the Rotterdam Convention.