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Rotterdam Convention

on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

Proceedings

Sub-Regional Consultation of Designated National Authorities (DNAs)

Under Rotterdam Convention

Cairo, Egypt 9-13 December 2007

Sub-Regional Consultation of Designated National Authorities (DNAs) under Rotterdam Convention

Cairo, Egypt 9 – 13 December 2007

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AGENDA

Sub-regional Consultations of Designated National Authorities (DNAs) under the Rotterdam Convention

Cairo, Egypt, 9- 13 December 2007

DAY 1 - 9 December 2007

SESSION 1: Opening and introduction to the Structure of the meeting

Imad Nahhal- Lebanon - Chair

Morning: 9.00-12.30 Lunch: 12.30-14.00 Afternoon: 14.00 – 17.00

Opening Remarks – Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention Gerold Wyrwal -

Secretariat Opening Remarks – Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention Taher El Azzabi-FAO Intro objectives and structure of the meeting Azhari Abdelbagi-invited

expert

SESSION 2: Introduction to the RC and Status of implementation in each country

Imad Nahhal- Lebanon - Chair

Morning-Afternoon

PLENARY

Brief overview of: - Key provisions of the Rotterdam Convention and, - Status of the Implementation and Current activities under the Convention - Questions and answers

Gerold Wyrwal -Secretariat

Local arrangements Taher El Azzabi-FAO Parties to introduce the status of the implementation of the Convention and briefly describe their national chemicals management infrastructure including key challenges and questions they would like to consider during the week

Each Party Salah Al-Hyari-Jordan A. Aljameel-Kuwait Imad Nahhal-Lebanon B. Gshera-Lybia I. Wadwadi-Oman M.Al Mazroa- Saudi Arabia Khidir G. Musa-Sudan S. Nahawi-Syria A. Alhamoudi-UAE S. Aldobai-Yemen

Status of implementation in the region Azhari Abdelbagi-invited expert

Introduction of the work of the Breakout groups work during the week, objectives and tools

Azhari Abdelbagi-invited expert

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SESSION 3: Review of the key obligations - Salah Al-Hyari - Jordan- Chair

Morning 9.00-12.30

PLENARY

3a IMPORT RESPONSES Import responses in the context of the PIC procedure and information exchange as well as approaches and challenges to implementation

Imad Nahhal-Lebanon

Questions and answers Selected DNAs - national experience in taking and reporting import decisions

DNAs: AbdelRahman Aljameel-Kuwait Shaghaf Nahawi-Syria

Introduction to the work of the Breakout groups


BOG

BOGs review experience in taking and reporting import decisions, share experience on challenges faced and how they might be addressed

BOGs

PLENARY Report to plenary on key challenges and how they might be addressed

Imad Nahhal-Lebanon

LUNCH 12.30-14.00 Afternoon 14.00-17.00

PLENARY

3b) NOTIFICATIONS OF FINAL REGULATORY ACTIONS

AbdelRahman Aljameel-Kuwait-chair

Notifications in the context of the PIC procedure and information exchange as well as approaches and challenges to implementation


Questions and answers Selected DNAs - national experience in preparing and submitting notifications of final regulatory actions

DNAs: Ghada Q.Khrisat-Jordan Khidir G. Musa-Sudan

Introduction and guidance to the Breakout groups work


BOGs BOGS review experience in preparing and submitting notifications of final regulatory actions, share experience on challenges faced and how they might be addressed

BOGs


Ibrahim Hamad Wadwadi- Oman

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SESSION 3: Review of the key obligations (cont’d)

B. Gshera- Libya- Chair Morning 9.00-12.30

PLENARY

3C) SEVERELY HAZARDOUS PESTICIDE FORMULATIONS (SHPFs)

B. Gshera- Libya- chair

Proposals for SHPF in the context of the PIC procedure and information exchange as well as approaches and challenges to implementation

Shoki Abdul Wali Aldobai- Yemen

Questions and answers Introduction and guidance to the Breakout groups

work Azhari Abdelbagi-invited expert

BOGs

BOGs review challenges in preparing and submitting to the Secretariat a proposal in support of a SHPF and how they might be addressed

BOGs


Khidir G. Musa-Sudan

LUNCH 12.30-14.00

Afternoon 14.00-17.00

PLENARY

3D) EXPORT NOTIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION TO ACCOMPANY EXPORTED CHEMICALS

B. Gshera- Libya- chair

Export notifications in the context of the PIC procedure and information exchange, opportunities and challenges in its implementation.


Questions and answers Introduction and guidance to the Breakout groups work


BOG

BOGs review challenges faced in making export notifications, in acknowledging their receipt and how these challenges might be addressed.

BOGs


Shoki Abdul Wali Aldobai- Yemen

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DAY 4 - 12 December 2007 Morning 9.00-12.30

SESSION 4:

The role of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies- M.Al Mazroa- Saudi Arabia – Chair

Morning PLENARY

A brief introduction on the role of the COP and of the CRC in the operation of the Convention, with a reference to the Compliance Committee.


Questions and answers

SESSION 5: Information available under the RC

M.Al Mazroa - Saudi Arabia –Chair Morning PLENARY

Secretariat will review the range and type of information available under the Convention and how it might be used to strengthen national decision making on hazardous chemicals.

Taher Elazzabi- FAO/ RNE

Questions and answers Introduction to the work of the Breakout groups


BOGs

Brainstorm on how the information available under the Convention might be used to strengthen chemicals management including decision making at the national level.

BOGs

PLENARY

Report to plenary on opportunities to make use of the information in national chemicals management activities on potentially hazardous chemicals available under the Convention

Imad Nahhal-Lebanon

LUNCH: 12.30-14.00

SESSION 6:

Integration of the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention with activities of other MEAs and with SAICM

Shoki Abdul Wali Aldobai- Yemen Afternoon 14.00-17.00

PLENARY

Brief outline of the interrelationship among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

Azhari Abdelbagi-invited

An introduction to SAICM as well as possible opportunities for cooperative implementation at the national level


Questions and answers BOGs

Brainstorm on opportunities for integrating the work of the three Conventions and/or SAICM at the national level - key challenges and possible ways in which these challenges might be addressed.

BOGs


Ghada Q.Khrisat Jordan

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DAY 5 - 13 December 2007 Morning 9.00-12.30

SESSION 7:

Opportunities for cooperation at the Sub-Regional - Regional level- Ali H. Al- Hamoudi – UAE- Chair

Morning PLENARY

Overview of examples of sub regional or regional cooperation in the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention

Taher El Azzabi- FAO/ RNE

Selected DNA to present existing sub regional organizations or networks with chemicals activities and whether there might be opportunities for cooperation at the regional level in the implementation of the Convention

Khidir G. Musa-Sudan

Introduction to the work of the Breakout groups


BOGs Brainstorm on possible further opportunities – e.g. existing regional cooperation mechanism-networks on chemicals that might be used to facilitate implementation of the Convention

BOGs

PLENARY Report to plenary on key challenges and how they might be address

AbdelRahman Aljameel-Kuwait

SESSION 8:

Review of the outcomes of the previous sessions- possible actions and next steps – Shaghaf Nahawi – Syria - Chair

morning PLENARY

Review key outcomes of BOG discussions in particular gaps/challenges and examples of how they might be addressed Next steps - follow-up actions among the DNAs participating in the meeting List of possible regional partners


Feed back on the operation of the meeting – structure – content


Closing remarks Gerold Wyrwal -Secretariat

Closing remarks Taher El Azzabi- FAO/ RNE

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List of Participants

JORDAN Ghada Q. KHRISAT (Ms.) Head of Pesticide Section Plant Protection Directorate Ministry of Agriculture Tel: 0777749728 Fax: 065686310 E-mail: [email protected] Salah AL-HYARI Director Environmental Health Directorate Ministry of Health P.O. Box 86 Tel: 00962-6-5650626 Fax: 00962-6-6582497 E-mail: [email protected] KUWAIT Abdel Rahman ALJAMEEL Chemical Engineer Environment Public Authority P.O. Box 24395 13104 Kuwait Tel: 00956-4821284 Fax: 00965-4821724 E-mail: [email protected] LEBANON Imad NAHHAL Plant Protection Officer Ministry of Agriculture Beirut Tel: 00961-1-849639 Fax: 00961-1-849627 E-mail: [email protected] LIBYA Bashir Otman GSHERA Director of Agric. Pest Control Centre Sidi Masri, Tripoli Tel: 00218214631024 Mobile: 00218913215938 Fax: 0021821-3613936 E-mail: [email protected] SUDAN

OMAN Suleiman AL-TOUBI Director of Plant Quarantine Dept. General Directorate for Agriculture Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries P.O. Box 467, Postal Code 100 Muscat Tel: 00968-24-99343190 Fax: 00968-24-696271/692069 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Ibrahim Hamad WADWADI Environmental Inspector Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, Muscat Tel: 00968-99388825 Fax: 00968-24-692462 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] SAUDI ARABIA Suleiman ALZABEN D.G of chemical safety and Hazardous Waste Dept. PME P.O. Box 9257, Jeddah 21413 Tel: 00966-5570-60666 Fax: 00966-2-6515303 E-mail: [email protected] Mohamad Ben Soliman AL MAZROA Director-General, Agric. Services Dept. Ministry of Agriculture P.O. Box 31692 Riyadh 11418 Tel: 4055848 Fax: 4055848 E-mail: [email protected] YEMEN Shoki Abdul Wali ALDOBAI Director of Pesticides Directorate Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation P.O. Box 26, Sana’a Tel: 00967-1-235193/250956 Fax: 00967-1-235193/228064 Mobile: 00967-777736864 E-mail: [email protected]

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Khidir Gibril MUSA Director-General Plant Protection Directorate Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Khartoum North, P.O. Box 14 Khartoum Tel: 00249912138939 Fax: 00249185339423 E-mail: [email protected] SYRIA Shaghaf NAHAWI (Ms.) Head of Pesticides Section General Commission of Environmental Affairs Ministry of Local Administration and Environment P.O. Box 3773 Damascus Tel: 00963-11-4443729 Fax: 00963-11-4443729 E-mail: [email protected] UAE Ali Hassan AL-HAMOUDI Director Plant Protection Dept. P.O. Box 1095 Dubai Tel: 0097142958161 Fax: 0097142957766 E-mail: [email protected] Rotterdam Convention Secretariat Gerold WYRWAL Agricultural Officer, Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention, AGPP, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome, Italy Tel: (+39 06) 5705 2753 Fax: (+39 06) 5705 3224 E-mail: [email protected]

Salem Abdulla M. BAQUHAIZEL D.G Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, & DNA to Rotterdam Convention, Environment Protection Authority (EPA), P.O. Box 19719 Sana’a Tel +967-711-747412 Tel/Fax +967 1 202019 E-mail: [email protected] Support Person Azhari Omer ABDELBAGI Director-General Directorate of External Relations and Training, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khartoum, Sudan Tel: +249-122180599 Home: +249-185-360323 Fax: + 249-183-781267 E-mail: [email protected] LAS Nermine WAFA (Ms.) Head of Programmes and Activities Dept., League of Arab States (LAS) 1, Tahrir Square Cairo, Egypt Tel: 00202-25750511 Fax: 00202-25743023 E-mail: [email protected] FAO/RNE Taher EL AZZABI Senior Plant Production Officer FAO Regional Office for the Near East P.O. Box 2223, Cairo, Egypt Tel: ++202-33316000 (Ext. 2809) Fax: ++202-37495981 Email: [email protected] Heba FAHMY (Ms.) Assistant, RNEG FAO Regional Office for the Near East P.O. Box 2223, Cairo, Egypt Tel: ++202-33316000 (Ext. 2808) Fax: ++202-37495981 E-mail: [email protected]

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Summary

Section I. 1. Countries: Ten countries: Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Qatar was invited but did not nominate a participant. 2. Meeting venue/time: 9- 13 December 2007, Cairo, Egypt. The meeting was organized with the organizational support from FAO Regional Office for the Near East. 3. Participants: A total of 13 Designated National Authorities(DNAs) under the Rotterdam Convention attended the meeting, representing: Ministry of Agriculture (7), Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (5), Ministry of Public Health (1), Regional Expert (1); 4. Status of implementation: Import Responses (ICR) for the chemicals listed in Annex III: The summary status report is provided:

- Jordan (36) provided, failures (3): DNOC; Parathion, SHPF-Benomyl-carbofuran-thiram;

- Kuwait: (18) provided; failures: (21); - Lebanon (24 provided in 2007); 15 failures (all industrial chemicals) - Libya: (0) provided, all 39 chemicals of Annex III on the failure list; - Oman: (33) provided; (6) industrial chemicals on the failure list - Saudi Arabia: (24) submitted in 2007; all industrial chemicals on the failure list; - Sudan: (26) submitted responses, all pesticides; 13 missing ICR all industrial

chemicals in the failure list; - Syria: (31) submitted in 2007; (8) ICRs for industrial chemicals missing;

- United Arab Emirates (21) provided; (18) on the failure list, including all industrial chemicals;

- Yemen: (28) ICRs provided in 2007; (11) on the failure list, including all industrial chemicals;

5. Notifications of Final Regulatory Action (NFRA) that met the criteria of Annex I:

- Jordan has provided 9 complete notifications of final regulatory actions; - Oman and Yemen are presently preparing notifications of final regulatory action; - Saudi Arabia has provided 15 NFRAs that are presently under review; - United Arab Emirates has provided 55 Notifications that did not meet the criteria of

Annex I of the Convention; 6. Proposals for severely hazardous pesticide formulations: None of the participating Parties has provided any reports under Article 6 regarding pesticide poisoning.

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7. Export Notifications: Countries stated that they are receiving and acknowledging export notifications, mostly from the EU and to a minor extend from China and Switzerland. Export notifications were sent in the past from Jordan to Yemen regarding export of Monocrotophos. Section II: List of key conclusions of actions 1. Legal and administrative action: Countries noted the lack of a regulatory basis as the main difficulty in regulating industrial chemicals and as an obstacle in providing import responses for such chemicals. Countries requested that the Secretariat prepares and to provide case studies on legal and administrative basis to regulate industrial chemicals. 2. Import Reponses (ICR): The capacity of the participating countries to provide import responses can be clustered in three groups: - Jordan, Oman and Qatar: almost all import responses for pesticides as well as industrial

chemicals were provided; - Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and Yemen: they lack to provide only few ICRs on pesticides,

but miss almost all ICRs on industrial chemicals; - Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates: they lack to provide ICRs for all

industrial chemicals and for a considerable number of pesticides and pesticide formulations;

- Libya did not submit any import responses for pesticides and industrial chemicals. The need for assistance regarding import decisions for industrial chemicals became very evident at this meeting. Countries seem to have a sufficiently large regulatory and administrative basis to provide import responses for pesticides as such are regulated through the registration process, whereas no comparable registration processes is in place for industrial chemicals. It is likely that the decision regarding import responses for these industrial chemicals would have to be“consent”, as they are not prohibited in the country and could be imported without major constraints. However, DNAs hesitate to provide a “consent” decision, as this could be seen as an approval of use of the substances, rather than as a lack of a regulatory basis to take a regulatory decision. Countries requested sub-regional workshops on industrial chemicals management and regulation with five participants from each country, participants from the industrial sector to be included. Moreover countries requested a set of national workshops to train custom officials and other national staff. Also countries asked for availability of forms and instructions in Arabic.

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3. Severely Hazardous Pesticide Formulations: Most countries reported problems with pesticide poisoning, but none of the participating countries reported a functional pesticide poisoning reporting scheme. Jordan indicated to have a regulation that makes reporting of pesticide poisoning obligatory. Monitoring environmental impact of pesticides is not common, or when done, was limited to locust campaigns. NGOs concerned with pesticide poisoning do not have significant activities in the sub-region. Therefore, not much support and political pressure from environmentalists on this issue is received. Countries indicated that the respective forms developed by the Secretariat could be a starting point for setting up a reporting mechanism. Countries requested assistance from the Secretariat in setting up surveillance and reporting instruments. Such assistance could first be provided to one pilot country, or in form of a sub-regional training activity. The secretariat was requested to facilitate extension of NGOs activity to the sub-region. Participants’ understood the need of poison centers and thoughts of making use of rural hospitals and existing environmental centers were presented as a short term solution if a system of reporting was established and staff was trained. 4. Notifications of Final Regulatory Action:

- Oman and Yemen are yet to notify all of the regulatory actions taken. The United Arab Emirates had submitted 55 Notifications in 2005, none of which met the criteria in Annex I.

- Saudi Arabia submitted 15 which are presently under review by the Secretariat. Issues of discussion were: what constitutes a misuse; how to handle control actions for which no information regarding risk evaluation was available at the time the decision was taken. DNAs requested the Secretariat to provide information on access to and availability of the Harmonized System Codes. Financial assistance was requested to train staff on risk analysis and risk evaluation. The need to establish registration systems and data bases for industrial chemicals was identified. 5. Export Notifications and information exchange: Participants noted that the export notifications received provide only insufficient information. Only very limited follow-up is provided upon receipt of export notification. Manufacture and formulation of pesticides in the region is very limited. The UAE has one formulation plant for Aerosols and is exporting aerosols. However, exports do not seem to include banned chemicals. Jordan reported existence of about 10 companies formulating pesticides, some of which are exported. Export notifications are not systematically sent, as the legal basis yet has to be adopted. Jordan showed interest in follow-up activities to strengthen their export notification system. Jordan will be requested to provide further information, such as quantity and type of pesticides exported, and regulations applied.

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Syria had submitted to the Secretariat a request for assistance in setting up a data base. Countries requested assistance in setting-up a system for export notification procedure. 6. Integration at National Level: Most countries indicated the lack of an effective national coordination body. Jordan had a coordination body and a system with one focal point for the three chemical conventions (Rotterdam, Stockholm and Basil) at the Ministry of Environment. Countries requested assistance in setting-up a national coordination body with proper legislative background. Countries also requested the availability of interactive training materials. 7. Regional Cooperation and Regional Partners: Further information on activities of the Chemical Information Network (CIN) at country level was requested. CropLife was mentioned as one regional partner as they are promoting to harmonize pesticide registration requirements, especially the information to be provided. The League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies (The Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, The Council of Arab Ministers for Environment) were indicated as the only existing sub-regional organization. However, lack of staff and active chemicals programme was noted. Other regional partners include the Cooperation Council of Gulf Countries Countries requested training in writing of project proposals specially projects to be submitted to GEF and SAICM and other international funding agencies. Section III: Comments and recommendations 1. Comments: The meeting was well organized. Working language was Arabic, and all meeting documents and presentations were made available in Arabic. Participants actively participated in chairing sessions, discussions were very lively, and participation in the working groups was good. The majority of participants had participated previously in meetings on the Rotterdam Convention, and possessed therefore a basic understanding of the obligations. Two DNAs (Libya, United Arab Emirates) had never before participated in a meeting on the Rotterdam Convention. Problems regarding implementation of the Rotterdam Convention were well identified at the meeting. However, many solutions were sought from the Secretariat, and less from the national level or through sub-regional co-operation. Several participants considered the Rotterdam Convention to be hampered by the lack of funding mechanisms, and by the consensus clause at the COP for adding chemicals to Annex III They didn’t appreciate the political significance of a consensus rule and favored changing of the voting under the Convention. 2. Specific problems and solutions as identified by the Participants:

• Assistance in management of industrial chemicals; • Assistance in training of customs’ officials; • Support for setting up pesticide poisoning reporting systems; Encouraging countries to

establish poison control and environmental incident centers in the long term and to

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make use of already established rural hospitals and environmental centers in the short term;

• Setting-up of regional data bases for the Rotterdam Convention under the auspices of the Regional Officer or the League of Arab States;

• Availability of documents, forms and instructions in Arabic; • Countries requested the availability of interactive training materials.

Country Reports

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Lebanon Introduction: Lebanon has ratified the Rotterdam Convention in 15 June 2006 as per law 728/2006. Ministry of Agriculture has been nominated as the official DNA for Lebanon. Laws & procedures issued related to the pesticides and industrial chemicals:

- 1968: - Law No. 6 in 8/1/1968 : organizing the trade of pesticides , fertilizers and forages in Lebanon

- 1982:- Decree No. 29/1 5039 in 26/3/1982: organizing pesticides trade in Lebanon - 1995 :- Decision No. in 7/2/1995, followed by decision No. 392/1 in 24/12/2003,

decision 280/1 in 15/9/2004, decision 59/1 in 26/2/2005 regulating entry, registration and use of pesticides in Lebanon

- 1998:- Decision No. 92/1 in 20/5/1998: Pesticides label specifications and its contents - 1998:- Decision No. 94/1 in 20/5/1998: Ban of Import into Lebanon of Some Pesticides - 2001:-Decision No. 262/1 in 26/9/2001: Ban of imports into Lebanon of Some

Pesticides and Pesticides Formulations - 2005:- Decision No. 59/1 on Pesticides registration, entry and use in Lebanon

Lebanon benefit from the Convention’s ratification:

- Prevent introduction of hazardous chemicals into the country - Regulating imports of pesticides and chemicals listed in Annex III of the Convention - Benefit from information exchange

There is no system in place regarding reporting pesticides poisoning cases, hospitals are taking the responsibilities of diagnosis and treating poisoning cases including that resulted from pesticides misuse. Pesticides distribution and use is regulated through the Ministry of Agriculture based on the existed related laws, decrees and decisions. Industrial chemicals are regulated through the Ministry of Environment. Any banning, restriction or severely restriction of pesticides and industrial chemicals is carried out in collaboration with Miniseries of Agriculture and Environment in collaboration with Customs services. Any banning or restriction of pesticides and industrial chemicals is decided based on the available information its risks and impact on human health and environment under the Lebanese conditions. All issued decisions and decrees are forwarded to the concerned institutions through the concerned authorities. Responsibilities of Ministry of Agriculture:

• License importing companies • Registration of agricultural pesticides • Enforcement of related regulations • Implement obligations of the related international conventions (Rotterdam, Stockholm,

etc… ….)

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Responsibilities of Ministry of Environment: • Organization of chemical use and prevention from relevant hazardous chemicals • Conduction awareness raising among different stakeholders

Responsibilities of Ministry of Health:

• Control and management of household and public health pesticides, medical drugs and chemicals for medical use

Customs responsibilities:

• Enforce all related regulations at all the country’s entry points in conjunction with the related ministries (Agriculture, Environment and Health)

• Statistics • Control of chemicals illegal traffic

Convention implementation:

- The convention was ratified in 15/5/2006 as per law 728/2006 - Ministry of Agriculture was nominated as DNA for pesticides

Import responses:

- 21 pesticides import responses were submitted - 5 industrial chemicals import responses were submitted

Challenges:

- Lack of DNA for industrial chemicals - Inadequate financial resources - Lack of technical expertise - There are number of laws and decrees that needs amendments:

Ministry of Agriculture laws and decrees responsible for pesticides management in Lebanon:

- 1968 - law # 6 in 8/01/1968 : organizing pesticides, fertilizers and forages trade in Lebanon

- 1982 – Decree # 5039 in 26/3/1982: organizing Agricultural pesticides trade - 1995: - Decision # 29/1 in 7/2/1995, followed by decisions 392/1/2003, 280/1/ 2004

and 59/1 / 2005 regulating the entry, registration and use of pesticides in Lebanon. Decision 92/1/1998 Label specifications and its contents and decision 228/1/2003 related to pesticides trade names.

- There is no system in place for industrial chemicals management. There are authorities’ overlaps between Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of economy and trade and the customs.

- Lack of awareness raising programmes among all related authorities public and private. - Shortages in trained staff in areas of pesticide and industrial chemicals management.

Suggested solutions:

- Pesticide committee has been requested to take action regarding import responses submission for the rest of pesticides in Annex III of the convention

- Initiate Awareness raising among the related authorities and, manufacturing companies regarding the convention and its benefits and obligations

- Nomination of DNA for industrial chemicals

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- Issue new legislations and update the existed ones - Initiate industrial chemicals management systems - Recruiting and training of new staff - Need for technical assistance in some issues such as; initiating and updating legislations

regulating pesticides and industrial chemicals amendment.

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Yemen

Introduction: The Republic of Yemen has ratified the Convention on May 2006 and became party in August 2007. Yemen participated in the sub- regional consultative meeting (6–9 November 2006 Damascus, Syria), held in the framework of the Secretariat activities targeting awareness raising about the Convention and assist countries to fulfill its obligations. The legal bases for pesticides regulation and handling in Yemen are:

- Environmental protection law No. 26/1995 and its executive regulations - Fertilizers and soil amendments law No. 20/1998 and its executive

regulations - Agricultural pesticide law No. 25 /1999 - National committee for Pesticides Registration - Ministerial decision 26/2007 regarding list of restricted and banned pesticides - List of registered pesticides

Ministries and Authorities related to chemicals amendment in Yemen are:

- Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation - Ministry of water and environment - Ministry of Industry and commerce - Ministry of Public Health and Housing - Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources - Customs Authorities - Universities and Research Centers - Private sector

Yemen is a member in the following Conventions and Protocols:

- Basel Convention 1995 - Stockholm Convention 2002 - Rotterdam Convention 2005 - Montréal Protocol

National committees concerned with chemicals management in Yemen:

- Pesticides registration and circulation committee - Public health pesticides circulation - Environment and commerce committee - SAICM committee - Pops committee - Chemical weapons committee

Current situation: The nominated DNA is the Ministry of Agriculture (General Directorate for Plant Protection), this authority is working closely with other related sectors within the country such as; Ministry of Health , Ministry of Environment in addition to customs authorities and related international organizations and programmes, such as WHO and International programme for chemical safety

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(DNA in collaboration with the related authorities) is in the process of preparing a national plan for implementation of the Convention on the national level. This plan is expected to be ready by the end of December 2008. Regarding import responses and notifications, no submissions were made yet to the Secretariat, or to the exporting countries regarding pesticides and chemicals listed in Annex III of the Convention. Currently there is no system in place regarding reporting poison cases resulted from pesticides misuse. The only channel reporting poison cases are hospitals, with no data or mention of pesticide poisoning. Yemen is not a pesticide manufacturing country; pesticide export is limited to re-export of obsolete pesticides for final disposal and pesticides do not meet the specifications requirements. The related authorities do benefit from proposals published in the PIC circular regarding SPHF or notifications. Number of chemicals safety awareness raising workshops were conducted for the benefit of government related institutions and NGOs by WHO support. The DNAs are engaged in enumeration of all the related laws and legislations regarding chemicals management. Future actions:

- DNA in collaboration with the related authorities will initiate national plan for the Convention’s implementation starting from December 2006.

- DNA in collaboration with the related authorities to prepare and submit notifications regarding SPHF listed in Annex III of the Convention starting from December 2006.

- Conduct training and awareness raising workshops for {plant quarantine inspectors (responsible on pesticide management), Customs, health…}.

- Workshops will be organized between January and December 2007. - DNA in collaboration with the related authorities, to prepare and submit regularly

(according to studies and development) SPHF and notifications. - DNA in collaboration with the related authorities to prepare and submit within six

months starting from December 2006 import responses for the chemical and pesticides listed in Annex III

- DNA in collaboration with the related authorities, to put in place a procedure for pesticides export based on the provisions of the related Conventions; (Stockholm, Rotterdam and Basel) starting from 2007 Second half.

- In collaboration with the Customs authorities; a list of restricted and banned chemicals is under preparation in the framework of the conditions required for WTO accession.

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Ranking Steps/obligations Time frame Responsible and integration with the Related authorities

1 Action plan on national level December 2006

Related national authorities In Coordination with the Secretariat

2 Notifications Preparation and submission Regarding banned and restricted chemicals

March 2008 Related national Authorities (Agriculture and environment)

3 Conduct awareness raising and training Workshops for selected staff in some of the related authorities ( plant quarantine inspectors, customs, health,… ) regarding the convention implementation mechanism

Starting mid 2008

DNAs in collaboration with related Authorities.

4 Prepare and submit notifications regarding SHPF

In case it is existed

DNAs

5 Prepare and submit import responses for industrial chemicals and pesticides in Annex III of the convention

Beginning of March 2008

DNAs

6 Establish a mechanism for re-export in accordance with the provisions of international agreements (Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam)

DNAs in collaboration with related authorities and the customs

Requested support from the secretariat on national level: Technical support for capacity building of the authorities concerned with the convention implementation (plant quarantine staff in customs entry points, plant responsible plant protection staff in the governorates, department for pesticides inspection, customs officials, medical doctors in the rural areas and environmental authorities inspectors Challenges facing the Convention’s implementation: - Bureaucracy dominating decision making - Lack of enough information on pesticides - Lack of awareness of the Convention provisions among related authorities - Lack of awareness among pesticides dealers, traders and farmers of the pesticide risks

on human health and environment - Poor communication between the DNA and the related authorities Recommendations:

The Secretariat is requested to provide technical and financial support regarding strengthen the capacity building for the following related authorities; • Plant protection inspectors (pesticides) • Plant protection officers (pesticides) in the country’s provinces • Department of pesticides inspection and monitoring • Customs • Doctors dealing with poison cases rural areas hospitals • Environmental authority inspectors

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Syria Introduction: Syria started participating in PIC programmes since 1998 in accordance with 1997 London guideline initiatives for information exchange on chemicals in international trade. Syria has participated in part of the Governmental negotiations that proceeded conference of plenipotentiaries held in September 1998, when the Convention’s text was adopted. The Convention’s text was submitted to the related national committees and authorities for ratifications. The process took longer than expected due to the required obligations in the Convention’s text, which required strengthening the national capabilities to be able to respond to these obligations, through information exchange and taking the necessary decision and steps required during the ratification process Pesticides registration system in Syria: Pesticides registration is done according to the following;

- Provision of the chemical and biological products trade and circulation system indicated in law No. 18/2004

- Decisions 64/t and 8/T - Conditions for pesticides registration and introduction are as follows; - No restriction or banning of the pesticide locally and internationally - The pesticide under consideration must have commercial and common name - The pesticide should be registered and in use in one of the developed countries

Conditions for pesticides import: Import permits are essential for any chemical to be imported to the country. Ministry of Agriculture sets number of conditions to be met by any pesticide to be imported to the country such as; the pesticide either in form of formulation or active ingredient, should be produced in the same year , the pesticide will be released only if the analysis meets the specifications and requirements set by the concerned authorities . Each shipment has to have a separate import response. Any smuggled or none registered pesticides are confiscated Laws and regulations regulate import and use of pesticides in Syria: - Minister’s of Health decision for 1988 regarding import and handling of public health

pesticides - Minister’s of Agriculture decision for 1976 regarding pesticides import and conditions

for pesticides import permissions - Minister’s of Agriculture decision regarding regulating pesticides registration - Minster’s of Agriculture decision n for 2002 regarding regulating pesticides import and

the exporting companies Syria since 2000 has voluntarily started the Convention’s implementation through: - Submitting periodical reports - Nomination of official contact point and DNA (the official contact point has changed

many times due to certain administrative changes, each time the Secretariat was informed of the changes)

- A follow up unit is established within the General Authority for Environmental Affairs assigned to follow up on the Convention’s implementation. Prior to establishment of

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this unit, coordination was the responsibilities of the National Committee for Chemical Safety which includes all related authorities concerned with chemicals

- Legal and technical committees were established, in order to follow up on the ratification of Rotterdam and other related conventions.

Steps taken towards the convention’s implementation: - The national coordination committee for Rotterdam convention re-organized to include

the following institutions; Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reforms, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, Ministry of Industry , Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Defense and General Authority for Environmental Affairs.

- Syria became a party beginning of 2005 - A lessened coordination committee was established to follow up and receive, as they

need, urgent response export notifications Import responses 1submitted to the secretariat: Name of the chemical ; Pesticide/industrial Status ; used , banned or restricted Binapacry None registered Ethylene dichloride , EDC None registered Mercury compounds ; including inorganic mercury compounds , alkyl mercury compounds and alkyl oxyalkyl and aryl mercury compounds

Banned

Monocrotophos Banned Toxaphene ( camphechlor) Banned DNOC None registered Ethylene oxide None registered Methamidophos ( soluble liquid formulation of the substance that exceed 600g active ingredient/1)

Concentrate soluble SL concentration should not exceed 600 of the active element in water

Parathion Banned Dustable powdered formulations containing a combination of benomyl at or above 7% carbofuran at or above 10% and thiram at or above 15%

Banned

Lindan BHC Banned Phosphamidon Allowed SCW Methyl parathion Banned Amosite , asbestos Banned Tetramethyl lead Restricted Polychlorinated Biphenyles (PCBS) Banned Tetraethyl lead Restricted

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Convention implementation since the beginning of 2006: Beginning of 2006 a national coordination committee for Rotterdam Convention was established, the committee headed by the Director-General for environmental affairs and membership of the following sectors:

1. Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform 2. Ministry of Health 3. Ministry of Labour and social Affairs 4. Ministry of Local administration and Environment 5. General authority for environmental Affairs (DNAs for Rotterdam, Stockholm and

Basel Conventions in addition to the designated official responsible for pesticide management in the Directorate for chemical Safety)

Duties and responsibilities of this committee is to follow up on the Convention’s implementation on the national level particularly regarding import responses and export notifications for pesticides and industrial chemicals listed in Annex III of the Convention. Implemented obligations: - The Convention’s unit in collaboration with the related authorities receives

notifications, submits to the specialized related national committee for study and comment. Negative responses were submitted regarding the following pesticides listed in Annex III; 2,4,5 – T- , Aldrin, Capatfol, Chlordane, chlorodimeform, chlorobenzilate, DDT, Dieldrin, Dinsoseb and its esters and salts, Fluoroacetamide, HCH (mixed isomers) Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, Mercury compounds, Pentachlorophenol, Parathion , 1,2 Dibromoethan

- The following pesticides were allowed to be used in Syria under restricted conditions; - Methamidophos and Phosphamidon. - Some of the import responses will be changed (Landane approval was submitted in July

1998, this will be changed to disapproval (ministerial orders) - Arrangements are in progress to submit import responses to the rest of pesticides and

industrial chemicals listed in Annex III. Challenges: - Lack of coordination and response by the related authorities - Lack of Data bases on industrial chemicals and pesticides - Lack of unified chemicals list - Due to the multiple users of these industrial chemicals in different institution, it is

difficult in many cases to reach a final regulatory action for these chemicals - Financial difficulties regarding managing funds for correspondences and outgoing mail - Inability to respond to all export notifications as it needs quick responses

Implemented measures in place in order to improve the Convention’s implementation: - Establishment of national committee for the Convention’s implementation - Establishment of national database for hazardous substances in addition to information

exchange network between the national related authorities supported by the Swiss Development Cooperation

- Establishment of a database for Rotterdam Convention including forms for notifications and uses and legal infrastructures regarding the Convention’s provisions and technical information regarding impact of PIC on human health and environment

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- Updating list of allowed, banned and restricted pesticides and chemicals Proposals: - Strengthen the follow up unit capabilities and the national legal framework - Provide computer facilities for the follow up unit - Speed up the data base establishment process - Provide the required financial support for the follow up unit - Conduct training courses on the national level - Conduct training workshops for customs and quarantine officials on the convention

implementation

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Sudan Introduction: A key objective of this convention is to protect our health and the environment through shared responsibilities. Sudan has participated in the voluntarily PIC procedure: the negotiations of the final text and during the interim period, Sudan have ratified the Rotterdam convention in Feb. 2005 and became full party in May of the same year. Regarding the key obligations, Sudan has fulfilled all report responses for pesticides and SHPF, but failed to submit any import responses regarding the industrial chemicals, this is mainly due to lack of legal instruments for regulations regarding industrial chemicals. Attempts to submit responses based on administrative arrangements were also unsuccessful for the lack of flexible mechanisms, conditions and information exchange. Sudan submitted only one notification of control action during the voluntarily PIC procedure, likewise, Sudan did not propose any of the SHPF although there are number of episodes of pesticide poisoning. Sudan does not manufacture any active ingredient of pesticides, but produces few chemicals e.g. one pesticide formulation plant for aerosol production mainly for domestic use. Administrative Actions taken: 1- Sudan ratified the Convention in Feb. 2005 and became a party in May of the same year. 2- Sudan has fulfilled all the import responses for pesticides and SHPF but failed to submit

any responses regarding the industrial chemicals for the lack of legal instrument for regulation of such group.

3- DNA was identified. 4- A national committee was established to coordinate the work of the conventions

(Rotterdam, Stockholm and Basel). Role of DNA in chemicals management:

- DNA is represented by the national council for pesticides. - The registrar is supervising the implementation of all of the convention’s obligations. - The registrar is authorized by the council to take full responsibility of all issues related

to pesticide management in the country. - There is no separate DNA for industrial chemicals, to assist in fulfilling the country

obligations related to this issues, the council has established a follow up committee assigned to follow up on the international conventions implementation, this committee includes all related institutions; Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Environment, Center for Industrial Research and Consultation. A similar committee is established within the high council for environment to fulfill this purpose. Till now there is no legislation regulating industrial chemicals in the country, there is only a draft list regulating hazardous chemicals excluding pesticides and pharmaceuticals which is still under preparation.

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Status of implementation: Import responses:

- Sudan submitted 25 pesticide import responses, no industrial chemicals import responses are submitted yet.

- Decision guidance documents are submitted to the council to be studied by its technical committees to take the necessary actions.

- For industrial chemicals, there is no legislation in place regulating its management. The import responses regarding the rest of pesticides are under process.

- The decision makers are fully informed on the import responses through their representatives in the council.

- Import responses implementations are carried out through the executive authorities such as; customs, agricultural chemicals branch as well as other related authorities.

Final regulatory actions:

- Only one final regulatory action has been submitted so far, which is abdicable - The council is in process to list the previous regulatory actions taken so far and inform

the secretariat.

Severely Hazardous Pesticides Formulations: - Pesticides use in Sudan is based on measures outlined by the National Council for

Pesticides as part of pesticide registration process. - Few pesticides poison cases on human and environment were reported in the country. - There is no mechanism in place for reporting or monitoring environmental incidences

due to pesticides. - There is no poison monitoring centers and no trained staff or NGOs able to diagnose

pesticide poisoning cases.

Information exchange: PIC circular; information available in the PIC circular, are periodically submitted to the National Council for Pesticides, this is in order to assist the council in taking decision particularly concerning industrial chemicals. Decisions are sent to the Environmental department in the Ministry of Industry for action, but the Ministry is able so far to take any action due to lack of legislations. The convention’s website is regularly used to get access to all information related to the convention. Sudan is well aware of technical assistance provided by the convention. Sudan has submitted a project under SAICM, waiting for final response Export notifications:

- Sudan has received 10 export notifications from the EU. The information related to these notifications is submitted to the Council for appropriate actions.

- Information accompanied by the exported chemicals; most of chemicals imported from EU has label and accompanied with leaflets containing safety instructions.

- The HGS code for chemicals listed in Annex III has been sent to the Customs in order to facilitate the recognition of these chemicals and enumerate pesticides quantities imported to the country.

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Challenges: - Lack of legislations regulating industrial chemicals management. - Lack of effective administrative measures. - Weakness in coordination on the national level particularly in information exchange

and decision making. - Weakness in the infrastructure in implementing national projects. - Lack of poison centers and centers for environmental incidences monitoring. - Lack of adequate budget for the National council for Pesticides. - Urgent need for DNAs and customs staff training

Future actions: • Submit all import responses of any pesticides added to Annex 3 of the convention. • Inform the secretariat of any final regulatory actions regarding banning or severely

chemicals restrictions. • Launch awareness raising programme among all related authorities involved in chemical

management. • Coordinate with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture regarding monitoring

and reporting of the poisoning episodes. • Coordinate and synergize activities with Stockholm and Basel conventions.

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Kuwait Introduction: The state of Kuwait pay much attention for the protection of the environment and environmental issues, as it joined many conventions related to environment. Based on its concern about environmental issues, the state had formed in 1995 the General Corporation for Environment to look after all issues related to the environment and its protection. Also the law number 210 for the year 2001 (concerning the environmental conditions and criteria) was issued. The state of Kuwait had participated in a number of regional and international meetings related to the Rotterdam convention through its participation in the preparatory meetings of the convention and Kuwait was among the countries which signed the convention text in Rotterdam in 1998. In 27/3/2006 the law number 12 for the year 2006 was issued allowing Kuwait to ratify the Rotterdam Convention Also Kuwait had participated in the workshops held in Tehran in 2003 , Cairo in 2005 and Oman in 2006.

1. Kuwait had signed the convention text in September 1998 and ratified the convention on the 12th of May 2006.

2. Kuwait had submitted 14 import responses. 3. Kuwait had appointed two designated national authorities (DNAs); The General

Corporation for Environment and the General Corporation for Agriculture to implement all the obligations from the ratification of the convention.

4. Kuwait had formed a national committee for the international conventions (Rotterdam, Stockholm and Basil) from relevant stakeholders.

• The General Corporation for Environment. • The General Corporation for Agriculture. • Ministry of Foreign Affairs. • Ministry of General Health. • General Directorate of Custom. • The General Corporation for Industry. • Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.

Kuwait had also participated in this sub-regional meeting for the Gulf Council Countries about Rotterdam convention on the prior informed consent procedure for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in the international trade held in Muscat, Oman 21-24/5/2006. This meeting focused on the following topics:

• Introduction to the Rotterdam convention. • Instrument of ratification of the convention.

Operational elements:

• Notification of final regulatory action of banned and severely restricted chemicals; • Import responses for chemicals subject to the convention; • Export notification for chemicals not subject to the convention but subject to local

regulatory actions. • Severely hazardous pesticide formulations. • Possible approaches to implementation. • Relationship between Rotterdam, Stockholm and Basil conventions. • Consolidation of national action plans related to the convention.

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Future actions:

• Notifying the secretariat about all regulatory actions of banning or severe restriction within one year.

• Form a suitable mechanism for coordination between relevant stakeholders. • Conduct national workshops for awareness raising about the convention. • Draft a plan for the distribution of the incident report forms to monitor the poisoning by

agricultural pesticides. • An integrated centre including a laboratory for analysis and monitoring of pesticide

residues is under construction. • There is a plan for studying the pesticides residues in agricultural products. • The DNA will prepare and submit the remaining import responses within one year. • Paying attention for extension and awareness raising in the state of Kuwait. • Requesting and making use of the technical and scientific assistance from the

secretariat. • The state of Kuwait requests the availability of the Arabic versions of all publications

from the secretariat.

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Oman Introduction: Oman had acceded the Rotterdam convention on 25/10/1999 based on the Sultanic decree number 81/99. Also the Sultanic decree number 46/95 on the regulation of handling and use of chemicals had laid down the bases for safe use of chemicals including agricultural pesticides and industrial chemicals in the Sultanate. In addition to this law the Sultanate is in a process of issuing laws to the Ministry of Agriculture for regulating the management of agricultural pesticides.. Import responses: There are two bodies supervising the submission of import responses; The Authority of plant protection, Ministry of Agriculture and Fish Resources supervise the submission of import responses for pesticides while for industrial chemicals, the Authority of chemicals, Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources is the responsible body. Oman had submitted 34 import responses (26 pesticides and 8 industrial chemicals). The rest of the responses will be completed within one year through the empowerment of the role of the technical committee for chemicals, a subsidiary body of the permanent committee for chemicals. Poisoning by pesticides: The toxicology division at the Ministry of Heath distributes forms for registration of poisoning cases by pesticides in all health centers and hospitals belonging to the Ministry. There are suggestions for activities to be done in the coming stage:

• Intensifying the comprehensive awareness raising campaigns on the use of chemicals. • Periodical inspection of workers in the chemical sector; • Circulating the pesticide poisoning forms (incident report forms) to hospitals and

private clinics. • Establishing a poison center in the long term.

The notification of regulatory actions: Oman did not submit any notification yet, in spite of the presence of more than hundred banned chemicals whether pesticides or industrial chemicals. Therefore these decisions must be reviewed and notified to the secretariat by the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources within two year period. Suggestions:

• Technical assistance about the implementation of the convention through national workshops;

• The use of Arabic language in the meetings, and the printed publications of the convention secretariat;

• Empowering the participation in the conference of parties to include delegates from more agents if possible;

• Training the custom officials on how to handle chemicals specially those subject to the Rotterdam convention;

• Empowering the section concerned with information exchange and if possible through publications containing pictures for the chemicals in Annex three of the convention.

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Jordan Introduction:

- Jordan ratified the Convention on 22 July 2002 - Based on article 4 of the convention a ministerial decree has been issued on 18

November 2002 nominating Ministry of Health as the Designated National authority for the Convention and the Ministry of Environment as the contact point and the reference authority for the convention in Jordan.

- A mechanism has been put in place in order to regulate cooperation between all the related authorities and the Convention Secretariat regarding the convention’s implementation .

- The convention text was published in the gazette issue number 4581 on 16 January 2003.

National set up for chemicals management: Main legislations for chemicals management including that related to Rotterdam Convention:

- Environment protection law 52/2006 and related regulations and measures. - Ministry of Agriculture law 44/2002 and related regulations and measures. - Public Health law 54/2002 and related regulations and measures

Obligations related to the imported chemicals listed in Annex III of the convention:

- Based on article 10 of the convention; the authorities has prepared import responses regarding the national measures related to import of industrial chemicals and pesticides listed in Annex III of the convention .

What has been done on the national level:

- Minister of Health decision regarding banned and restricted chemicals due to human health protection.

- Ministry of Health has started to prepare a data base for imported chemicals to Jordan , the source of information are the customs authorities , these information include the following:

- Scientific and commercial name - CAS number - Quantity imported - Name of importing company - Country of origin - Name of exporting country

The Ministry of Agriculture is introducing information related to pesticides to the Ministry data base, these information include the following:

- Scientific and commercial name - Pesticide type - Pesticide chemical group - Pesticide registration number - Registration expiry for the first time - Registration expiry date - Country of Origin

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- Manufacturing company - Local agent in Jordan

The integrated information system project for hazardous chemicals is under implementation. This project will:

- Link electronically all related authorities to each other. - Minimize duplication in the related institution work and regulate all

measures related to chemicals management in a consistent integrated way. - Exchange information related to chemicals import and handling and identify

measures required with monitoring authorities. - Provide required information on imported and locally produced chemicals,

road transport of these chemicals and accidents due to handling of these chemicals and any other related issues.

- Establish a unified list of banned and restricted chemicals on the country level.

- Identify customs’ fee for each banned and restricted chemical.

Measures regarding banned or severely restricted chemicals: - Based on article 5 of the convention, the DNAs (Ministry of Health and Ministry of

Agriculture) in 2003 has submitted notifications for regulatory actions for handling number of severely restricted and banned chemicals in the country, which are not subject to PIC procedures and not listed in Annex III of the convention .

- The convention secretariat has reviewed all information submitted; all are meeting the requirements listed in Annex I of the convention.

Future actions:

- Notify the secretariat of any new regulatory action for banned and restricted chemicals listed in the Minister of Health in collaboration with the Jordanian Chamber for Industry., time was given to the national measures to be implemented before imposing banning of chemicals from entering the country.

- Establish an adequate coordination mechanism between the national related authorities such as industry, trade, customs Chamber of Industry regarding the convention implementation and to regulate industrial chemicals and pesticides export.

Challenges:

- Lack of enough information on the sectors and places for chemicals use, and used imported quantities.

- Lack of enough information on the internationally used alternatives and its health impact.

- Lack of expertise in areas of chemicals management in addition to lack of training required for improving workers capabilities in this area.

- Lack of response from national authorities in industrial countries regarding inquires related to banning or restriction on the use of chemicals in their countries.

- Inform exporters on the important decision taken regarding hazardous chemicals and pesticides and increase awareness raising in this area.

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Suggestions: Need for technical assistance and capacity building required for the convention implementation through:

- Increase cooperation and speed up response to inquires from the national authorities in the industrial countries requested from developing countries.

- To be informed on the industrial countries experience in areas of chemicals import and handling control, this lack of information is due to the fact that the mechanisms applied at the national level are not complete and need improving.

- Provide technical assistance programmes in areas of risk evaluation and impact monitoring resulted from chemicals use

- Establish capacity building programme on the national and regional level through conducting workshops and seminars in order to provide detailed information on the conventions; its objectives and countries obligations. Also highlight the problems facing developing countries in implementing the convention, with special emphases on the Arab speaking countries.

- Provide technical assistance in order to eliminate the issue of illegal trade in industrial chemicals.

- Exchange information related to chemical export and import and handling between the national authorities in the Arab countries through establishment of information network in these countries.

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Status of the convention’s main obligations in

the Near East Region The Convention Secretariat has organized 3 Sub-Regional workshops in the region; Cairo 29/4 – 1/5, 2005, Oman May 2006 and Damascus 6 - 9 November 2006. 13 countries have participated in these workshops (10 parties and 3 none parties; none parties are Egypt, Bahrain and Iraq). Participant’s distribution: 13 from the agricultural sector, 15 from the environment, 4 health sector, 6 customs, 1 from the industry and 1 from the foreign affairs. Total participants were 58. Analysis:

- The fewness of the participants from the industrial sector (1 participant out of 58) although one third of the chemicals listed in Annex III of the convention is industrial chemicals.

- Lack of post workshop follow up on the National level.

Ratification: Three none party participated in the workshops; Cairo consultation 2005, Bahrain; Oman consultation 2006 and Iraq; Damascus consultation 2006 Analysis: The mentioned countries are not parties yet; Bahrain has requested the secretariat to send an expert to Bahrain to explain the convention’s benefits and obligations. No answer yet from Egypt and Iraq regarding the progress made so far in relation to the ratification process. DNAs nominations: All parties have nominated one or more DNA Notifications for final regulatory actions:

- Jordan has submitted 11 complete notifications out of 570 notifications submitted to the secretariat

- 50 incomplete notification submitted by UAE out of 85 notifications submitted to the secretariat

- One notification each from Qatar and Sudan under voluntarily measures - Although other contracting parties have implemented number of final regulatory

actions, none of them were submitted to the secretariat. Analysis:

- Only UAE has achieved some progress in notification submission. It has submitted 50 incomplete notifications within 6 months after the workshop.

- Other contracting parties failed to meet its commitments regarding notification submission.

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Country Workshop Missing responses during the workshop

Time set for receiving the responses

Currently missing responses Analysis pesticides Industrial

Chemicals Total

Jordan Cairo 7 Before October 2005

4 0 4 No problem

UAE Cairo 9 In a short period

7 11 18 Chemicals, pesticides

Saudi Arabia

Cairo 39 Promise to submit responses

4 11 15 Chemicals

Oman Muscat 5 Within one year

5 6 11 Chemicals

Kuwait Muscat 25 Within one year


Qatar Muscat 5 Within one month

6 1 7 Pesticides

Syria Damascus 10 Within one month for pesticides 6 months for chemicals


Sudan Damascus 11 Within 6 months

3 11 14 Chemicals

Lebanon Damascus Second half 2007


Yemen Damascus 39 6 months beginning December 2006

5 11 16 Pesticides

Libya 39 28 11 39 Chemicals, pesticides

Import responses analysis:

- Total import responses failure in the 11 countries (participating countries) 38%. - The situation improved in some countries (5 countries) after the workshops; Jordan,

Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen - No import responses from Libya yet. - Best countries submitted import responses are: Jordan, Oman and Qatar - Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Sudan Syria, UAE, and Yemen still to provide 11- 18 import

response. - Some countries suffering from problems regarding chemicals import responses: Kuwait

Saudi Arabia, Sudan, UAE and Yemen. - Some countries have problem with both; chemicals and pesticides.

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Severely Hazardous Pesticides Formulations: - No submission yet of SHPF from any country. - No participating country exporting chemicals subjected to final regulatory action or

chemicals listed in the Annex III of the convention. - There is a pressing need in each participating country to establish a poison center and

centers for environmental observatories. - Participating countries requested assistance in technical training on poison cases

diagnosis and environmental incidents monitoring. - Countries requested assistance in export obligations.

Legal and administrative framework:

- No indication from any participating country on any deficit in its legal and administrative measures.

- Oman has indicated that chemicals and pesticides are included in one regulatory system, now they are about to issue a law regulating pesticides in the country.

- Sudan has indicated the need for legislations for regulating industrial chemicals. - Syria has indicated the need for reviewing and updating the current pesticides and

chemicals legislations. - Both Lebanon and Iraq has indicated the need for more sound administrative measures.

Recommendations of the three workshops:

- Training of the customs officials on the convention implementation. - Training of the medical and environmental staff on the diagnosis and reporting of the

poisoning cases due to the misuse of pesticides and other chemicals. - Training the related authorities on monitoring and reporting the negative impacts on

environment. - Conduct national workshops to train a larger number of the local technical staff. - Ensure the participation in related meetings and workshops. - Translate all related documents into Arabic and adopt Arabic language in all regional

and sub-regional meetings and workshops. - Bahrain has expressed its wish in inviting an expert from the secretariat to give

extended view on the convention’s benefits and obligations. - Establishment of pesticides and industrial chemicals data bases. - Establishment of poison centers and environmental incidences monitoring centers. - Assist in issuing legislations regulating industrial chemicals.

Suggestions:

- More focus in the workshops on measurable objectives and to provide reliable statistics. - Observe equilibrium between different sectors when selecting nominees for the

regional workshops. - Continue efforts with none parties in the region, urging them to take the necessary

measures to accede to the convention. - Some of the statistical figures submitted to the secretariat were not correct, it is

important to make sure that all figures are correct and reflecting the situation before submitting it to the secretariat.

- As most countries did not fulfill its commitments regarding import responses and notifications regarding national final regulatory actions, it is the duty of the secretariat to continue its efforts to follow up with the concerned countries either through regional experts or conducting national workshops.

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- Assist parties in the preparation of legislations regarding industrial chemicals. - Training of the national personnel from different related institutions on how the

national obligations towards the convention can be met. - Assist in establishment of poison centers and centers for environmental monitoring.

Information exchange – constraints:

- Lack of response on some inquires and e-mails made by some foreign related authorities such as that made by the European Union.

- Administrative constraints within the countries. - Lack of internet, communication and technical facilities and shortages in financial and

human resources. Information exchange – solutions:

- Search for another information sources. - Through follow up and direct contact. - Awareness raising among decision makers regarding problems related to financial and

human resources as well as equipments and infrastructure. - Relay on the reliable and essential information sources. - Update the convention’s website, add additional links for chemicals management and

simplify links to access to these websites - The Convention to make available in Arabic documents and information related to the

convention. - Conduct Awareness raising sessions and train workshops’ participants related to the

convention on the proper way in obtaining the related information. Integration in issues related to chemicals management – Constraints:

- Inadequate coordination between the related national authorities. - Authority overlap. - Non stable administrative system. - Weakness and sometimes lack of legislations and difficulties in enforcement - Shortages of experience in project proposal preparation and lack of national expertise

capable in preparing project proposals. Integration in issues related to chemicals management – solutions:

- Establishment of a national coordination authority for chemicals management. - Improvement and issuing laws and legislations, identification of the related authorities’

role in chemicals management. - Make available reactive training facilities regarding the convention implementation. - Training in areas of project proposals preparations to be submitted to donors.

Import responses – constraints:

- Absence of legislations related to industrial chemicals in number of the region’s countries and its activation in some others.

- Lack of executive body and the required information on industrial chemicals. - Weaknesses on national coordination, authority overlap between the related authorities

for industrial chemicals. - Weakness of information exchange system on the national level.

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Import responses – solutions: - Conduct national workshops to train customs’ officials and other related personnel on

the convention’s implementation. - Make available, in Arabic Language, to all parties import responses forms and all

guidance. - Conduct sub-regional workshops on chemicals’ management with participation of at

least five participants from each contacting party. Severely Hazardous Pesticides Formulations (SHPF) – constraints:

- Lack of poison centers and centers for environmental centers monitoring. - Lack of trained personnel. - Lack of systems in place for poisoning cases reporting and environmental incidents; its

documentation and submit it to the DNAs. - Lack of NGOs capable of assisting countries in poisoning cases reporting and

environmental incidences monitoring. - Absence of awareness raising and extension among farmers and pesticide users as well

as other related sectors. Severely Hazardous Pesticides Formulations (SHPF) – solutions:

- Request the secretariat assistance in approaching UN agencies such as WHO and encourage countries to establish poison centers and centers for environmental incidences monitoring.

- Train medical staff in areas of monitoring and diagnosis and documentation of poison cases through conducting regional/sub-regional workshops.

- Make use of the environmental centers in some countries in environmental incidences monitoring.

- Request the secretariat to approach some NGOs in areas of pesticides poison cases monitoring to extend its services to include the Near East Region.

- Include monitoring and reporting of poison cases within the country’s education and extension programmes.

Notifications on final regulatory actions – constraints:

- Difficulties in obtaining some of the required information. - Lack of technical capabilities and financial resources to conduct pesticides and

chemicals risk analysis. - Lack of independent data bases for hazardous pesticides and chemicals formulated and

imported. Notifications on final regulatory actions – solutions:

- Request the secretariat and other organizations assistance in obtaining some information in some areas such as HS Codes of chemicals.

- Request technical and financial assistance to train local staff to be able to conduct pesticides and industrial chemicals risk analysis.

- Establishment of a system for industrial chemicals pesticide management to include national data bases and monitoring trade movement (export and import).

Export notifications – constraints:

- Information accompanying export notifications are not detailed. - Lack of a system in place regulating management, follow up and coordinate industrial

chemicals and pesticides export.

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- Lack of legislative bases required for initiating the above mentioned system and put it into action.

Export notifications – solutions:

- Request detailed information from export authorities regarding the reason behind restricting or banning of certain chemicals or pesticides.

- Initiate the bases for legislative and administrative system required for establishment of management system designed for regulating import and export.

Regional and Sub-regional cooperation – constraints:

- Lack of coordination between the related organizations. - Lack of policy, mechanism and clear financial resources for some regional

organizations. - Lack of qualified staff. - Difficulties in communications with foreign organizations due to the language barrier.

Regional and sub-regional coordination – solutions:

- Speed up measures related to NEPPO ratification. - Establishment of an organization dealing with industrial chemicals management in the

Near East Region. - Strengthen the technical capabilities of the Arab follow team on the environmental

conventions. - Training and capacity building on projects proposals preparations. - Initiating sub-regional communications networks between parties.

Foreign partners list:

- Secretariat of the Gulf cooperation Countries – Saudi Arabia. - CropLife Middle East - Jordan. - Arab Organization for Agricultural Development - Khartoum, Sudan. - UNEP for West Asia - Bahrain. - Regional Office for environmental health – Jordan. - Arab Council of Ministers for Environmental Affairs – Cairo, Egypt.

SECRETARIAT FOR THE ROTTERDAM CONVENTION

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome, Italy Tel: (+39 06) 5705 2188 Fax: (+39 06) 5705 6347 E-mail: [email protected]

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 11-13, Chemin des Anémones CH – 1219 Châtelaine Geneva, Switzerland Tel: (+41 22) 917 8296 Fax: (+41 22) 917 8082 E-mail: [email protected]

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