The dramatic growth in chemical production and trade during the past three decades has raised concerns about the potential risks posed by hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Countries lacking adequate infrastructure to monitor the import and use of these chemicals are particularly vulnerable. In response to these concerns, UNEP and FAO developed and promoted voluntary information exchange programmes in the mid-1980s. Building on these procedures, the Rotterdam Convention creates legally binding obligations for the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, promoting shared responsibility and facilitating information exchange.
This course will introduce you to the history of the Rotterdam Convention and how the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure functions. At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the importance of regulating international trade in certain chemicals
- Identify the core components and mechanisms established by the Rotterdam Convention
- Outline the synergies process undertaken by the Stockholm, Rotterdam and Basel conventions.