INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL AGREEMENTS

The following international chemical multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) attempt to address the growing urgent threat of chemical contamination in humans, wildlife and the environment.

Australia is a signatory and has ratified the relevant chemical conventions.

• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001)
• Basel Convention on Control of the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal (1989)
  o Waigani Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Countries of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the Transboundary Movements and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the South Pacific Region (1995)
  o Bamako Convention on the on ban of the import into Africa and the control of transboundary movement and management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa 1990
• Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (1998)
• International Labour Organisation Convention 170, Convention Concerning Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work, 1990 (ILO C 170)
• Globally Harmonised System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.  (GHS)

Although not specifically focused on chemicals, the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (1998)  has an important role to play in ensuring access to information and environmental democracy in chemical management.

For detailed information on the chemical conventions including text, description, obligations and relevant references visit The Chemical Conventions Handbook on the NTN website.

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