Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions 2025

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May 02, 2025

Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions 2025

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.”

Conference of the Parties (COPs)

  • Meaning: The Conference of the Parties (COPs) refers to the formal meetings of the countries that are parties (signatories) to a particular international treaty. 
  • Examples: The most well-known COPs are those held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), BRS etc.
  • COPs are the supreme decision-making bodies of the respective conventions.
  • In COPs, Countries (or “Parties”) meet annually (UNFCCC) or at regular intervals to review progress on the agendas of the conventions and to negotiate new commitments.
  • The BRS COP 2025 included:
    • 17th COP to the Basel Convention (BC COP-17), 
    • 12th COP  to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12)
    • 12th  COP  to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12)

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. 

Key Differences
Convention Focus Area Mechanism 
Basel    Hazardous waste trade & disposal Controls transboundary waste movements
Rotterdam Hazardous chemicals & pesticides  Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure
Stockholm Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Elimination/restriction of POPs

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.
Additional Reading: Chlorpyrifos Pesticide

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