Editing Basel Convention (section)

==Basel Ban Amendment==
After the initial adoption of the convention, some least developed countries and environmental organizations argued that it did not go far enough. Many nations and NGOs argued for a total ban on shipment of all hazardous waste to developing countries. In particular, the original convention did not prohibit waste exports to any location except [[Antarctica]] but merely required a notification and consent system known as "prior informed consent" or PIC. Further, many [[waste trade]]rs sought to exploit the good name of recycling and begin to justify all exports as moving to recycling destinations. Many believed a full ban was needed including exports for recycling. These concerns led to several regional waste trade bans, including the [[Bamako Convention]].

Lobbying at 1995 Basel conference by developing countries, [[Greenpeace]] and several European countries such as Denmark, led to the adoption of an amendment to the convention in 1995 termed the [[Basel Ban Amendment]] to the Basel Convention. The amendment has been accepted by 86 countries<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.basel.int/Countries/StatusofRatifications/BanAmendment/tabid/1344/Default.aspx |title=Ratification of the Basel Convention Ban Amendment|first=Basel|last=Convention|website=www.basel.int|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224012638/http://www.basel.int/Countries/StatusofRatifications/BanAmendment/tabid/1344/Default.aspx|archive-date=24 February 2014}}</ref> and the European Union, but has not entered into force (as that requires ratification by three-fourths of the member states to the convention). On 6 September 2019, Croatia became the 97th country to ratify the amendment which will enter into force after 90 days on 5 December 2019. The amendment prohibits the export of hazardous waste from a list of developed (mostly [[OECD]]) countries to developing countries. The Basel Ban applies to export for any reason, including [[recycling]]. An area of special concern for advocates of the amendment was the sale of ships for salvage, [[shipbreaking]]. The Ban Amendment was strenuously opposed by a number of industry groups as well as nations including Australia and Canada. The number of ratification for the entry-into force of the Ban Amendment is under debate: Amendments to the convention enter into force after ratification of "three-fourths of the Parties who accepted them" [Art. 17.5]; so far, the parties of the Basel Convention could not yet agree whether this would be three-fourths of the parties that were party to the Basel Convention when the ban was adopted, or three-fourths of the current parties of the convention [see Report of COP 9 of the Basel Convention]. The status of the amendment ratifications can be found on the Basel Secretariat's web page.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.basel.int/ratif/ban-alpha.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041215022750/http://www.basel.int/ratif/ban-alpha.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 December 2004 |title=Ban Amendment|date=15 December 2004}}</ref> The [[European Union]] fully implemented the Basel Ban in its [[Waste Shipment Regulation]] ([[EWSR]]), making it legally binding in all EU member states. Norway and Switzerland have similarly fully implemented the Basel Ban in their legislation.

In the light of the blockage concerning the entry into force of the Ban Amendment, Switzerland and Indonesia have launched a "Country-led Initiative" (CLI) to discuss in an informal manner a way forward to ensure that the trans boundary movements of hazardous wastes, especially to developing countries and countries with economies in the transition, do not lead to an unsound management of hazardous wastes. This discussion aims at identifying and finding solutions to the reasons why hazardous wastes are still brought to countries that are not able to treat them in a safe manner. It is hoped that the CLI will contribute to the realization of the objectives of the Ban Amendment. The Basel Convention's website informs about the progress of this initiative.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.basel.int/|title=Basel Convention Home Page|first=Basel|last=Convention|website=www.basel.int|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107155641/http://www.basel.int/|archive-date=7 January 2010}}</ref>