An inter-ministerial delegation from India participated in the Conference of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions held in Geneva.

The Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions 

• The Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions are three key international environmental agreements aimed at protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. 
• The three conventions work together to regulate hazardous substances throughout their lifecycle (production, trade, use, and disposal).
• Since 2010, they have held joint meetings (COPs) to enhance cooperation.
• India is a party to all three conventions. 
• Theme: The theme of BRS COPs 2025 is “Make visible the invisible: Sound management of chemicals and wastes.”

Basel Convention (1989)

• Full Name: Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
• Adopted: 1989, Entered into Force: 1992
• Objective: To reduce the movement of hazardous waste between nations, particularly from developed to less developed countries.
• Key Provisions:
• • Promotes waste minimization and environmentally sound disposal.
  • Bans hazardous waste shipments to countries lacking proper disposal facilities.

Rotterdam Convention (1998)

• Full Name: Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
• Adopted: 1998, Entered into Force: 2004
• Objective: To promote shared responsibility in the international trade of hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
• Key Provisions:
• • Implements a Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure for listed chemicals.
  • Requires exporters to provide information on hazards.
  • Allows countries to ban or restrict chemicals listed in Annex III.

Stockholm Convention (2001)

• Full Name: Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
• Adopted: 2001, Entered into Force: 2004
• Objective: To eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
• Persistent Organic Pollutants: POPs are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate, and pose risks to health and ecosystems.
  • They are often byproducts of industrial processes, pesticides, or other chemicals. 
  • Examples of POPs: DDT, dieldrin, aldrin, endrin, heptachlor,  Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and furans. 
• Key Provisions:
  • Bans or restricts “Dirty Dozen” chemicals (e.g., DDT, PCBs, dioxins).
  • Promotes safer alternatives.
  • Addresses unintentional POPs (e.g., from industrial processes).
  • Annex A: Chemicals to be eliminated; 
  • Annex B: Restricted use; 
  • Annex C: Unintentional release to be minimized. 

India’s Participation in BRS COP 2025

• India has advocated for Global Action on Chemicals and Waste at BRS COPs 2025.
• India’s domestic approach to implement BRS conventions:
  • National laws like the Environment (Protection) Act
  • Rules for Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Management
  • Continued investment in technical and institutional infrastructure
• Meeting on Plastic Pollution: India participated in a meeting on plastic pollution hosted by Norway.

India’s stand on Chlorpyrifos

• India opposed listing Chlorpyrifos under Annex A of Stockholm Convention citing food security concerns and lack of alternatives.
  • Chlorpyrifos is a hazardous insecticide nominated by the EU for global phase-out in 2021 due to adverse neurodevelopmental and health effects.
  • WHO classifies Chlorpyrifos as moderately hazardous; US EPA considers it a possible human carcinogen.
  • India currently approves Chlorpyrifos for multiple crops (rice, sugarcane, cotton, vegetables, fruits).
• India previously opposed listing of Endosulfan in 2010 under the same convention.

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