Rotterdam Convention puts listed hazardous chemicals and pesticides under the Prior Informed Consent Procedure
Background
The Rotterdam Convention governs the way certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides move in trade between countries. Its text was adopted by the Conference of the Plenipotentiaries at Rotterdam in 1998, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations acts as the Depository. Annex III lists the chemicals that are subject to the Prior Informed Consent Procedure, and that Annex has been amended by decisions of the Conference of the Parties so that more chemicals come under it. Annex VI was adopted in 2004 at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties, and it sets out arbitration and conciliation procedures for Article 20 on settlement of disputes. The ninth meeting adopted Annex VII in 2019 on procedures and mechanisms on compliance under Article 17. Chemicals and pesticide formulations are examined by the Chemical Review Committee, which recommends to the Conference of the Parties whether they belong in Annex III.
In plain words
Rotterdam Convention Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade — The full title of the treaty, which is usually called by the name of the city where its text was adopted.
PIC Prior Informed Consent — An exporting country must tell an importing country before a listed chemical is shipped, and the importing country may refuse.
Annex III Annex III to the Rotterdam Convention — The list of chemicals and pesticides covered by the procedure.
Chemical Review Committee Chemical Review Committee of the Convention — The expert body that recommends whether a chemical should be listed.