Berne Convention (1906)
Encyclopedia
The Berne Convention of 1906 is an international treaty negotiated in Bern in Switzerland
which prohibits the use of white (yellow) phosphorus
in the manufacture of matches. The treaty also prohibits the import and sale of such matches.
The background to the treaty was the extensive medical problems such as Phossy jaw
facing workers in match production. In 1925 Edward J. Phelan
, future Director General of the International Labour Organisation, stated that the establishment of the ILO, " may in one sense be traced to the Berne Convention of 1906", partly as a result of lobbying by the International Association for Labour Legislation.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
which prohibits the use of white (yellow) phosphorus
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the chemical element that has the symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidized state, as inorganic phosphate rocks...
in the manufacture of matches. The treaty also prohibits the import and sale of such matches.
The background to the treaty was the extensive medical problems such as Phossy jaw
Phossy jaw
Phossy jaw, formally phosphorus necrosis of the jaw, is an occupational disease of those who work with white phosphorus, also known as yellow phosphorus, without proper safeguards. It was most commonly seen in workers in the match industry in the 19th and early 20th century...
facing workers in match production. In 1925 Edward J. Phelan
Edward J. Phelan
Edward Joseph Phelan , frequently E. J. Phelan, was the first appointed international civil servant and fourth Director-General of the International Labour Office, serving from 1941 to 1948, during most of which time the ILO was temporarily relocated to Montréal from Geneva...
, future Director General of the International Labour Organisation, stated that the establishment of the ILO, " may in one sense be traced to the Berne Convention of 1906", partly as a result of lobbying by the International Association for Labour Legislation.
Literature
- John Emsley, The Shocking History of Phosphorus: A Biography of the Devil’s Element (2000) Macmillan Publishers, Ltd.: London, England ISBN 0-471-39455-6