Rotterdam Convention
Encyclopedia
The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, more commonly known simply as the Rotterdam Convention, is a multilateral treaty
to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals. The convention promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to use proper labeling, include directions on safe handling, and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or bans. Signatory nations can decide whether to allow or ban the importation of chemicals listed in the treaty, and exporting countries are obliged make sure that producers within their jurisdiction comply.
asbestos fibers to the Rotterdam Convention,
Since Canada's declaration made by David Sproule, Canada has been referred to as a "rogue nation". Hearings are scheduled in the EU in the near future to evaluate the position of Canada and decide on the possibility of a punitive course of action.
In continuing its objection, Canada becomes the only G8 country objecting to the listing. Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Ukraine continued their objections Thursday as the parties headed into a breakout session to try to work through some of the objections. Vietnam had also raised an objection, but missed a followup meeting on the issue. In taking its position, the Harper Government came into direct conflict with India, who had changed its long-standing objection to the addition of chrysotile to the list just prior to the 2011 conference.
Numerous Non-governmental Organizations have publicly expressed criticism of Canada's decision to block this addition.
Treaty
A treaty is an express agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely sovereign states and international organizations. A treaty may also be known as an agreement, protocol, covenant, convention or exchange of letters, among other terms...
to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals. The convention promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to use proper labeling, include directions on safe handling, and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or bans. Signatory nations can decide whether to allow or ban the importation of chemicals listed in the treaty, and exporting countries are obliged make sure that producers within their jurisdiction comply.
Substances covered under the Convention
- 2,4,5-T and its salts and esters
- AlachlorAlachlorAlachlor is an herbicide from the chloroacetanilide family. Its mode of action is elongase inhibition, and inhibition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate cyclisation enzymes, part of the gibberellin pathway.-Uses:...
- AldicarbAldicarbAldicarb is a carbamate insecticide which is the active substance in the pesticide Temik. It is effective against thrips, aphids, spider mites, lygus, fleahoppers, and leafminers, but is primarily used as a nematicide. Aldicarb is a cholinesterase inhibitor which prevents the breakdown of...
- AldrinAldrinAldrin is an organochlorine insecticide that was widely used until the 1970s, when it was banned in most countries. It is a colourless solid. Before the ban, it was heavily used as a pesticide to treat seed and soil...
- AsbestosAsbestosAsbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
- Actinolite, Anthophyllite, Amosite, Crocidolite, and Tremolite only - BenomylBenomylBenomyl is a fungicide which was introduced in 1968 by DuPont. It is a systemic benzimidazole fungicide that is selectively toxic to microorganisms and to invertebrates, especially earthworms. Benomyl binds to microtubules, interfering with cell functions such as meiosis and intracellular...
(certain formulations) - BinapacrylBinapacrylBinapacryl is an miticide and fungicide. Chemically, it is an ester derivative of dinoseb. Although binapacryl has low toxicity itself, it is readily metabolized to form dinoseb, which is toxic....
- CaptafolCaptafolCaptafol is a fungicide. It is used to control almost all fungal diseases of plants except powdery mildews. It is believed to be a human carcinogen, and production for use as a fungicide in the United States stopped in 1987...
- CarbofuranCarbofuranCarbofuran is one of the most toxic carbamate pesticides. It is marketed under the trade names Furadan, by FMC Corporation and Curater, among several others. It is used to control insects in a wide variety of field crops, including potatoes, corn and soybeans...
(certain formulations) - ChlordaneChlordaneChlordane, or chlordan, is an organochlorine compound that was used as a pesticide. This white solid was sold in the U.S. until 1983 as an insecticide for crops like corn and citrus and on lawns and domestic gardens.-Production and uses:...
- ChlordimeformChlordimeformChlordimeform is an acaricide and is active mainly against motile forms of mites and ticks and against eggs and early instars of some Lepidoptera insects. Its use has ceased and its registration has been withdrawn in most countries....
- ChlorobenzilateChlorobenzilateChlorobenzilate is a pesticide that is not currently used in the USA or Europe. It was originally developed by Ciba-Geigy and introduced in 1952. It was used as an acaricide against mites on citrus trees, including deciduous fruit trees. It has been detected as a residue on tomatoes found in...
- DDTDDTDDT is one of the most well-known synthetic insecticides. It is a chemical with a long, unique, and controversial history....
- DieldrinDieldrinDieldrin is a chlorinated hydrocarbon originally produced in 1948 by J. Hyman & Co, Denver, as an insecticide. Dieldrin is closely related to aldrin, which reacts further to form dieldrin. Aldrin is not toxic to insects; it is oxidized in the insect to form dieldrin which is the active compound...
- Dinitro-ortho-cresolDinitro-ortho-cresolDinitro-ortho-cresol is a toxicant that interferes with adenosine triphosphate production.-References:*...
(DNOC) and its salts - DinosebDinosebDinoseb is an herbicide in the dinitrophenol family. The IUPAC name is 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol and its molecular formula is C10H12N2O5....
and its salts and esters - 1,2-dibromoethane1,2-Dibromoethane1,2-Dibromoethane, also known as ethylene dibromide , is the chemical compound with the formula BrCH2CH2Br. Although trace amounts occur naturally in the ocean, where it is formed probably by algae and kelp, it is mainly a synthetic...
(EDB) - EndosulfanEndosulfanEndosulfan is an off-patent organochlorine insecticide and acaricide that is being phased out globally. Endosulfan became a highly controversial agrichemical due to its acute toxicity, potential for bioaccumulation, and role as an endocrine disruptor...
- Ethylene dichloride
- Ethylene oxideEthylene oxideEthylene oxide, also called oxirane, is the organic compound with the formula . It is a cyclic ether. This means that it is composed of two alkyl groups attached to an oxygen atom in a cyclic shape . This colorless flammable gas with a faintly sweet odor is the simplest epoxide, a three-membered...
- FluoroacetamideFluoroacetamideFluoroacetamide is an organic compound based on acetamide with one fluorine atom replacing hydrogen on the methyl group. it is a metabolic poison which disrupts the citric acid cycle and was used as a rodenticide....
- HexachlorocyclohexaneHexachlorocyclohexaneHexachlorocyclohexane or 666 is a six chlorine substituted cyclohexane, a polyhalogenated compound. It comes in many forms. Some are pesticides.Common forms are:* α-HCH , or α-BCH, alpha-Hexachlorocyclohexane...
(mixed isomers) - HeptachlorHeptachlorHeptachlor is an organochlorine compound that was used as an insecticide. Usually sold as a white or tan powder, heptachlor is one of the cyclodiene insecticides. In 1962, Rachel Carson's Silent Spring questioned the safety of heptachlor and other chlorinated insecticides. Due to its highly...
- HexachlorobenzeneHexachlorobenzeneHexachlorobenzene, or perchlorobenzene, is a chlorocarbon with the molecular formula C6Cl6. It is a fungicide formerly used as a seed treatment, especially on wheat to control the fungal disease bunt...
- LindaneLindaneLindane, also known as gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, , gammaxene, Gammallin and erroneously known as benzene hexachloride , is an organochlorine chemical variant of hexachlorocyclohexane that has been used both as an agricultural insecticide and as a pharmaceutical treatment for lice and...
- Mercury compounds including inorganic and organometallic mercury compounds
- MethamidophosMethamidophosMethamidophos is an organophosphate insecticide.Crops grown with the use of methamidophos include some Latin American rice. Many nations use methamidophos on crops, including developed nations such as Spain, US, Japan, and Australia...
(certain formulations) - Methyl parathion (certain formulations)
- MonocrotophosMonocrotophosMonocrotophos is an organophosphate insecticide. It is acutely toxic to birds and humans, and for that reason has been banned in the U.S. and many other countries...
- ParathionParathionParathion, also called parathion-ethyl or diethyl parathion, is an organophosphate compound. It is a potent insecticide and acaricide. It was originally developed by IG Farben in the 1940s. It is highly toxic to non-target organisms, including humans. Its use is banned or restricted in many...
- PentachlorophenolPentachlorophenolPentachlorophenol is an organochlorine compound used as a pesticide and a disinfectant. First produced in the 1930s, it is marketed under many trade names...
and its salts and esters - PhosphamidonPhosphamidonPhosphamidon is an organophosphate insecticide first reported in 1960. It acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor.The commercial product typically exists as a mixture of 70% -isomer and 30% -isomer.- Toxicity and regulation:...
(certain formulations) - Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
- Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT)
Substances proposed for addition to the Convention
- Chrysotile AsbestosChrysotileChrysotile or white asbestos is the most commonly encountered form of asbestos, accounting for approximately 95% of the asbestos in place in the United States and a similar proportion in other countries. It is a soft, fibrous silicate mineral in the serpentine group of phyllosilicates; as such, it...
- ParaquatParaquatParaquat is the trade name for N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride, one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. Paraquat, a viologen, is quick-acting and non-selective, killing green plant tissue on contact. It is also toxic to human beings and animals...
2011 Meetings: Global Controversy over Canada's Stand on Chrysotile
At the 2011 meeting of the Rotterdam Convention in Geneva, the Canadian delegation surprised many with their continued refusal to allow the addition of chrysotileChrysotile
Chrysotile or white asbestos is the most commonly encountered form of asbestos, accounting for approximately 95% of the asbestos in place in the United States and a similar proportion in other countries. It is a soft, fibrous silicate mineral in the serpentine group of phyllosilicates; as such, it...
asbestos fibers to the Rotterdam Convention,
Since Canada's declaration made by David Sproule, Canada has been referred to as a "rogue nation". Hearings are scheduled in the EU in the near future to evaluate the position of Canada and decide on the possibility of a punitive course of action.
In continuing its objection, Canada becomes the only G8 country objecting to the listing. Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Ukraine continued their objections Thursday as the parties headed into a breakout session to try to work through some of the objections. Vietnam had also raised an objection, but missed a followup meeting on the issue. In taking its position, the Harper Government came into direct conflict with India, who had changed its long-standing objection to the addition of chrysotile to the list just prior to the 2011 conference.
Numerous Non-governmental Organizations have publicly expressed criticism of Canada's decision to block this addition.