2025 Conferences of Parties to BASEL, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions ( UPSC Prelims)

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News Context

The 17th Basel, 12th Rotterdam, and 12th Stockholm Convention gatherings took place in Geneva.

Key Outcomes of the Three COPs:

 ● Joint Commitment: Enhanced collaboration with other environmental agreements/initiatives.  
  ● Basel Convention (BC COP-17):  
        ○ Updated technical guidelines for managing persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
        ○ Adopted a new strategic framework (2025–2031).
        ○ Launched work on transboundary movements of textile waste.
  ● Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12):  
        ○ Added 2 chemicals to Annex III: Carbosulfan (pesticide) and Fenthion.
        ○ Adopted 2026–2027 Compliance Committee work programme.
  ● Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12):  
        ○ Addition to Annex A: Chlorpyrifos (pesticide), and 2 groups of industrial chemicals - Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs).
        ○ Listing of UV-328 amended with new specific exemption (water-seal tape, adhesives, and coatings in aircraft, etc.).
      ● UV-328 belongs to a group of phenolic benzotriazoles (BZTs) commonly used as a UV stabilizer in plastics, coatings, paints, and other industrial materials.  
 Basel Convention on Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal:
      ○ Adopted on 22 March 1989 in Basel, Switzerland. (India is a party).
  ● Scope: Broad range of hazardous wastes, identified by their origin, composition, or characteristics.  
        ○ Also includes four categories of "other wastes" like household, certain plastic, etc.
  ● Transboundary Waste Control: Enforces Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.  
  ● New Focus Area: Textile Waste, Shipbreaking (Overlaps with Hong Kong Convention).  
  ● Exclusion: Radioactive waste and waste from normal operations of a ship, covered by other international instruments.  
 Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedures (PIC) for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade:
      ○ Enforced in 2004.
        ○ India acceded in 2006.
        ○ Has 4 annexures, with the 3rd annexure having a list of banned chemicals and pesticides.
  ● Objective: Promotes shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in international trade of certain hazardous chemicals.  
  ● Covers: Banned or severely restricted Pesticides and Industrial chemicals.  
  ● Procedure: Creates legally binding obligations.  
        ○ Doesn’t ban chemicals but promotes informed decisions.
 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
  ● Genesis: Adopted in 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden; Enforced in 2004. Ratified by India in 2006.  
  ● Objective: Protect health & environment from lasting chemicals accumulating in humans and wildlife.