The Basel Convention Technical Expert Group has finalized a framework for the environmentally sound management (ESM) of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
The framework is the outcome of the Group's third meeting, which convened from 21-23 January 2013, in Glion, Switzerland.
30 January 2013: The Basel Convention Technical Expert Group has finalized a framework for the environmentally sound management (ESM) of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The framework is the outcome of the Group’s third meeting, which convened from 21-23 January 2013, in Glion, Switzerland.
The framework is intended as a practical guide for all stakeholders participating in the management of hazardous and other wastes, and aims to ensure a consistent understand of ESM among parties. It establishes a common understanding of what ESM encompasses, and identifies tools and strategies to support and promote the implementation of ESM.
According to the Secretariat of the Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (Basel Convention), adherence to the framework will result in a reduced need for transboundary movements, by ensuring that movements only occur in cases where this presents the best environmental outcome, for example where the state of export does not have adequate facilities to manage its wastes in-country. The framework also can assist authorities and other stakeholders to determine the legitimacy of any transboundary movements of wastes.
The framework will be considered by the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (COP 11), taking place from 28 April-10 May 2013, in Geneva, Switzerland. [Basel Convention Press Release] [Technical Expert Group Website]