BRS NEWSLETTER

Assisting parties to protect human health and the environment

November - No. 22

Welcome

Dear Readers,

Our latest edition gives a taster of the work which the Parties, the Secretariat, and other stakeholders are doing on electronic waste, on compliance, on regional cooperation and coordination, on preparing for the next Triple COPs which start in 6 months’ time in Geneva, and on important proposals from Parties to amend the conventions at those COPs, to better tackle marine plastics litter and other important issues. #Detox for a clean planet and healthy people!

News
	Basel Convention implementation and compliance progress as 6 countries resolve their compliance difficulties ICC-13 concludes Cabo Verde, Eritrea, Libya, Guinea-Bissau, Oman and Turkmenistan have overcome their difficulties in implementing obligations to transmit national reports or designate country contacts. Share:
	Basel Convention Ban Amendment edges closer to entry into force as two more Parties deposit acceptance instruments Accepted recently by Iceland and Namibia, the Amendment now requires only two more COP-3 Parties to deposit their instruments of acceptance, to enter into force. Share:
	Basel Convention partnerships take action to minimise solid waste generation The BRS press release on Basel Convention partnerships is online, marking World Habitat Day 2018 and its focus on solid waste. Share:
	Compliance - Parties notified of a proposal to amend the Rotterdam Convention by adding a new annex Written comments are invited by 31 December 2018, on a proposal for COP-9 to add a new Annex VII to the Convention covering compliance procedures and mechanisms. Share:
	Outcomes of the 14th meeting of the Chemical Review Committee now online The advance English version of the CRC-14 meeting report is now available. Share:
	Parties notified of proposals for listing additional chemicals to Rotterdam Convention's Annex III Written comments are invited by 31 December 2018, on proposals for the next COP to amend Annex III to bring additional chemicals under prior informed consent procedure. Share:
	Guatemala: celebrating 10 years of implementing the Stockholm Convention, to rid the world of POPs The BRS Secretariat congratulates Guatemala, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of entry-into-force of the Stockholm Convention. Share:
	Georgia transmits updated national plan for implementing the Stockholm Convention To rid the world of POPs and beat pollution, Georgia has transmitted its updated national plan reflecting amendments made at COP-4, COP-5 and COP-6. Share:
	Parties notified of recommendations for listing additional chemicals to Stockholm Convention's Annex A Written comments are invited by 31 December 2018 on recommendations for the next COP concerning the listing of additional chemicals. Share:
	Listing of chemicals - Parties notified of a proposal to amend Article 8 & Annex D of Stockholm Convention Written comments are invited by 31 December 2018, on a proposal by the Russian Federation for COP-9 to amend Article 8 and Annex D of the Stockholm Convention on the listing of chemicals. Share:
	BRS participates in the 21st Ministerial Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean in Buenos Aires, 11 to 12 October BRS Executive Secretary moderates the “Ministerial Dialogue on Innovative Solutions to Detoxify our Environment” on marine plastic litter and sound management of chemicals & waste. Share:

Technical Assistance

Upcoming webinars

Upcoming workshops

Forthcoming meeting

Joint meeting of the bureaux of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions

The bureaux will meet on 15 and 16 November 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss preparations for the 2019 triple COPs.

Annual joint meeting to enhance cooperation and coordination between the regional centres under the Basel and Stockholm conventions

The regional centres will meet on 15 and 16 November 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland to enhance synergies in delivery of technical assistance under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions.

Emerging issues

Plastic waste - Parties notified of a proposal to amend Annexes II, VIII & IX of the Basel Convention

Written comments are invited by 31 December 2018, on a proposal by Norway for COP-14 to amend Annexes II, VIII & IX of the Basel Convention to address plastic waste.

Synergies in the spotlight

On International E-waste Day, please consider the hidden cost of your devices

This year for the first time, 13 October is designated International E-waste Day, to raise awareness of the possible hazards to health and environment of recycling mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices.