OPERATION OF THE PIC PROCEDURE

1
Supporting the right to know for trade in certain
hazardous chemicals
International High-level expert Conference on
Chemical Safety and Rotterdam Convention
Policies and Practices in Russia 14 15 October
2010, Moscow
2
Objective

• To promote shared responsibility and cooperative
  efforts among Parties in the international trade
  of certain hazardous chemicals in order to
  protect human health and the environment from
  potential harm and to contribute to their
  environmentally sound use

3
Global status of ratifications
4
Scope of the Convention

• Applies to
• Chemicals banned or severely restricted to
  protect human health or the environment
• Severely hazardous pesticide formulations (SHPF)
  - causing problems under conditions of use in
  developing countries or countries with economies
  in transition

5
NOTE

• Not a ban!

6
Key Provisions

• PIC procedure
• - Supports decision-making for importing
  countries
• - Seeks compliance from exporting Parties

• Information exchange
• - Sharing information on potentially
  hazardous chemicals
• - Provides the basis for decisions on
  future imports and
• exports of chemicals (PIC procedure)

7
Key Players

1. Designated National Authorities (DNAs)
2. Conference of the Parties (COP)
3. Chemical Review Committee (CRC)
4. Secretariat

8
SUMMARY of the PIC procedure

• Party submits final regulatory action
  information shared

• 2nd regulatory action triggers CRC review

S E C R E T A R I A T

• CRC recommends chemical for listing

Reviews information

• COP lists chemical - Annex III

Country
Distribution to all DNAs
Decision Guidance Document
Replies to the country
Informs all of decision (PIC Circular)
Takes an import decision (interim or final)
PIC CIRCULAR (Appendix IV) by chemical- import
responses from countries- failure list
countries not having submitted a response
9
Benefits

• 1. Secretariat facilitates dialogue
• Brings country together with partners prior to
  ratification
• Greater understanding on trade issues facilitated

10
Benefits

• 1. Facilitates trade
• Supports a country to import
• Improves relations between trading countries
• Legal framework on trade levels the playing
  field

11
Benefits

• 1. Prevents unwanted trade
• PIC procedure is legally binding on Parties
• Importing Parties make informed decisions on
  trade
• Exporting Parties avoid sending unwanted
  chemicals Parties

12
Benefits

• 2. Early warning system
• PIC circular provides information on regulatory
  actions globally
• Also information on incidents of health impacts
  for SHPF
• Decision Guidance Documents supports decision
  making

13
Benefits

• 4. Export notification
• Reminds importing Parties of a national
  regulatory action in the country of the exporting
  Party
• Informs importing Parties that the chemical may
  be in use in their country
• Provides an opportunity to seek further
  information from the exporting Party

14
Benefits

• 5. Information accompanying export
• Support for implementation of GHS labelling and
  data sheets
• HS Codes facilitate tracking PIC chemicals

15
Benefits

• 6. Network of DNAs
• Access to DNAs in other countries with similar
  conditions
• Opportunities to exchange experience and
  information

16
Benefits

• 7. Technical Assistance
• Parties cooperate in developing infrastructure
  and capacity
• Access to GEF financial support
• Strengthen capacity of Parties to assess risks
  associated with industrial chemicals
• Development of National Chemicals Profiles

17
Trade by consent
NOTE again

• A ban is not meant

18
 The Right to Know