{"id":103980,"date":"2026-05-18T15:55:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T10:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=103980"},"modified":"2026-05-18T16:27:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T10:57:07","slug":"basel-convention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/basel-convention\/","title":{"rendered":"Basel Convention, Background, Objectives, Features, Amendments, PIC"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Basel Convention is an international agreement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that aims to protect people and the environment from the <\/span><b>harmful effects of hazardous waste.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It was adopted in <\/span><b>1989 and came into force in 1992,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at a time when many developed countries were sending dangerous waste to developing nations without proper safety measures.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Background of the Basel Convention<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The issue of hazardous waste became a global concern in the early 1980s, when it was included as a <\/span><b>priority area under the UNEP\u2019s Montevideo Programme on Environmental Law (1981).<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1980s,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it was discovered that <\/span><b>toxic waste from developed countries was being dumped in developing regions, especially in Africa,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which led to strong public protests worldwide.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the same time,<\/span><b> developed countries had started enforcing strict environmental laws in the 1970s and 1980s,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which made waste disposal more expensive and difficult.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People in these countries opposed having hazardous waste near their homes, leading to the <\/span><b>NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) attitude.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to rising costs and public pressure, some companies began <\/span><b>sending hazardous waste to Eastern Europe and developing countries,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where environmental rules were weaker. This practice became known as <\/span><b>\u201ctoxic trade.\u201d<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To address this issue, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/united-nations-environment-programme-unep\/\" target=\"_blank\"> <b>UNEP<\/b><\/a><b> Governing Council in June 1987<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> approved the <\/span><b>Cairo Guidelines,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which helped countries manage hazardous waste but were not legally binding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the same year, based on a proposal by <\/span><b>Switzerland and Hungary, UNEP formed a working group <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to draft a global agreement to <\/span><b>control the movement of hazardous waste.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final draft was discussed at the <\/span><b>Conference of Plenipotentiaries,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> held in<\/span><b> Basel, Switzerland, from 20-22 March 1989,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with participation from 116 countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Basel Convention was adopted <\/span><b>unanimously on 22 March 1989, along with eight supporting resolutions.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A total of <\/span><b>105 countries and the European Economic Community (EEC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> signed the Final Act of the conference.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Convention finally came into force on <\/span><b>5 May 1992, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">after the required number of countries formally accepted it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Objective of the Basel Convention<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main goal of the Convention is to <\/span><b>protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of hazardous waste.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It covers a wide range of waste types, including those that are dangerous due to their <\/span><b>origin, composition, or characteristics.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also includes certain <\/span><b>\u201cother wastes\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">such as household waste, incinerator ash, some plastic waste, and electronic waste (e-waste).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Aims and Key Provisions<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Convention aims to reduce the <\/span><b>generation of hazardous waste <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and encourage countries to <\/span><b>manage it safely within their own boundaries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as much as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It tries to limit the <\/span><b>movement of hazardous waste across borders,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allowing it only when it is absolutely necessary and environmentally safe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A proper<\/span><b> regulatory system is created to control such movements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when they are allowed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Basel Convention Salient Features<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Prior Informed Consent (PIC):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hazardous waste cannot be sent from one country to another without prior information and approval from the receiving country.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Restriction on Non-Parties:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Countries that are not members of the Convention cannot trade hazardous waste with member countries, unless there is a special agreement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Domestic Laws Required: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All member countries must create their own laws to control, prevent, and punish illegal handling or movement of hazardous waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Responsibility of Countries:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Each country is responsible for the safe generation, storage, transport, treatment, recycling, and disposal of hazardous waste within its territory.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Environmentally Sound Management (ESM):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Waste must be handled in a way that protects human health and the environment at every stage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Minimisation of Waste:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Countries are encouraged to reduce the generation of hazardous waste as much as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Control of Transboundary Movement:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Convention aims to reduce and strictly regulate international movement of hazardous waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Conference of Parties (COP):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The COP is the main decision-making body, which reviews progress, adopts rules, and guides implementation of the Convention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Illegal Traffic as Crime: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Illegal transport or dumping of hazardous waste is treated as a criminal offence under the Convention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Technical Cooperation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourages sharing of technology, knowledge, and capacity building among countries for better waste management.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Waste under Basel Convention<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Waste<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> means any material or object that is <\/span><b>thrown away, planned to be thrown away, or required by law to be disposed of.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Annex I lists hazardous wastes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (toxic, flammable, harmful), which are strictly controlled.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Annex II covers \u201cother wastes\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that need special care, mainly household waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common examples include used lead-acid batteries, biomedical waste, used oils, industrial chemical waste, toxic pesticides, and <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/persistent-organic-pollutants\/\" target=\"_blank\">POP<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (persistent organic pollutants) waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also includes <\/span><b>harmful substances<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like PCBs, found in plastics, paints, and electrical equipment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Convention now also deals with <\/span><b>modern issues like e-waste<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (mobiles, laptops), <\/span><b>ship-breaking waste<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (mercury, asbestos), and<\/span><b> illegal dumping of hazardous waste.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It ensures that all such <\/span><b>waste is handled, transported, recycled, and disposed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of safely to protect human health and the environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also encourages countries to <\/span><b>reduce waste generation and adopt cleaner and safer technologies.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Cartagena Declaration<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Cartagena Declaration on the Prevention, Minimization and Recovery of Hazardous Wastes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was adopted in <\/span><b>2011<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Basel Convention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It reflects a<\/span><b> strong commitment by countries <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to reduce the generation of hazardous waste and manage it in a safer and more efficient way.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even after 20 years of the Basel Convention, countries observed that hazardous waste was still increasing globally, and its movement across borders had not reduced significantly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to these growing concerns, the <\/span><b>declaration was adopted to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of such waste.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Countries agreed to take active steps to:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prevent and minimize waste generation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promote cleaner production methods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduce the link between economic growth and environmental damage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve global cooperation through technology transfer and capacity building<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Basel Convention Members<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Basel Convention (1989) is a widely accepted international agreement, and it currently has <\/span><b>191 member countries (Parties),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> showing strong global support and <\/span><b>53 signatories.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India is also a member (party) to the Basel Convention<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and actively follows its rules for managing hazardous waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India signed the Convention in June 1992, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and it officially came into force for India on 22 September 1992.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being a party means that <\/span><b>India is committed to controlling hazardous waste movement, ensuring safe disposal, and protecting the environment and human health.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Amendments to Basel Convention<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Plastic Waste Amendments (2019)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the <\/span><b>14th Conference of the Parties (COP-14)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> held in 2019, important amendments were made to Annexes II, VIII and IX of the Basel Convention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> main aim of these amendments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was to<\/span><b> strengthen control over the movement of plastic waste across countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and to clearly define how <\/span><b>plastic waste<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is covered under the Convention.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This step was important because<\/span><b> plastic waste had become a major global environmental issue,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and better regulation was needed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>E-Waste Amendments (2022)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the<\/span><b> 15th Conference of the Parties (COP-15) held in June 2022,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> further amendments were made to Annexes II, VIII and IX.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These amendments focused on <\/span><b>electronic and electrical waste (e-waste).<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goal was to<\/span><b> expand control over the movement of e-waste<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and ensure that all such waste follows the <\/span><b>Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means that<\/span><b> countries must inform and get permission before exporting or importing e-waste.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Basel Convention Ban Amendment<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Ban Amendment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a key provision under the <\/span><b>Basel Convention that aims to stop the export of hazardous waste from developed countries to developing countries, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">so that poorer nations are not burdened with waste they cannot safely manage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It applies to countries listed in Annex VII, which include <\/span><b>OECD countries, European Union (EU) members, and Liechtenstein,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and restricts them from sending hazardous waste to countries not included in this list.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under this amendment, <\/span><b>all exports of hazardous waste for final disposal are completely prohibited,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and exports for recycling, reuse, or recovery are also banned when sent from developed to developing countries. As many developing countries were receiving hazardous waste without having proper facilities to handle it in an environmentally safe way.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was <\/span><b>agreed that exports for final disposal should stop immediately, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">while exports for recycling or recovery should be gradually phased out and completely banned by 31 December 1997.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Later, at the <\/span><b>3rd Conference of the Parties (COP-3) in 1995,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this decision was officially adopted as an amendment to the Convention, which came to be known as the <\/span><b>Ban Amendment.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, for several years, there was confusion among countries about how to interpret the rules for amendments, especially regarding when the Ban Amendment would come into force.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To resolve this, the President of COP-9 suggested a way forward and encouraged countries to create conditions that would support the amendment\u2019s implementation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following this, <\/span><b>Indonesia and Switzerland launched a Country-Led Initiative (CLI)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to improve the effectiveness of the Basel Convention and help move the Ban Amendment forward.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the <\/span><b>10th Conference of the Parties (COP-10),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> countries adopted Decision, which clarified the interpretation of the Convention\u2019s amendment rules and <\/span><b>supported the progress of the Ban Amendment.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>India\u2019s Waste Management Framework<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/solid-waste-management\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Solid Waste Management <\/b><\/a><b>(SWM) Rules, 2026<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notified under the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/environment-protection-act-1986\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986<\/b><\/a><b>;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has come into force from 1 April 2026,<\/span><b> replacing 2016 rules.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Makes <\/span><b>four-stream waste segregation mandatory: wet, dry, sanitary, and special care waste.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follows <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/circular-economy\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Circular Economy<\/b><\/a><b> and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/extended-producer-responsibility-epr\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Extended Producer Responsibility<\/b><\/a><b> (EPR)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> principles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introduces <\/span><b>environmental compensation (fines)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> based on the <\/span><b>Polluter Pays Principle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for violations like improper waste handling or false reporting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/central-pollution-control-board\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Central Pollution Control Board<\/b><\/a><b> (CPCB)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will issue <\/span><b>guidelines<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; <\/span><b>State Boards will impose penalties.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Defines <\/span><b>Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (large institutions, societies, etc.) and makes them responsible for proper waste processing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introduces <\/span><b>Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; encourages on-site processing of wet waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sets up a <\/span><b>centralised online portal for tracking waste from generation to disposal and for registrations, reporting, and audits.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promotes <\/span><b>faster land allocation for waste processing facilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with buffer zone guidelines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognises<\/span><b> Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for sorting and recycling waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mandates <\/span><b>industries to use Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> increasing usage from <\/span><b>5% to 15% over time.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Restricts landfilling only to non-recyclable and inert waste;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> higher fees for dumping unsegregated waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focuses on <\/span><b>biomining and bioremediation of old dumpsites<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with regular monitoring.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Special provisions for <\/span><b>hilly areas and islands,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including user fees for tourists and decentralised waste management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides for <\/span><b>central and state-level committees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure effective implementation of the rules.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/plastic-waste-management-amendment-rules-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2026<\/b><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Built on <\/span><b>Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 and EPR framework 2022<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mandatory use of <\/span><b>recycled plastic in packaging by Producers, Importers and Brand Owners<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Category I<\/b> <b>rigid plastic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requires 30 percent recycled content in 2025-26 increasing to 60 percent by 2028-29<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Category II flexible plastic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requires 10 percent initially and increases to 20 percent from 2027-28<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Category III multi-layered plastic<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requires 5 percent initially increasing to 10 percent from 2027-28<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Mandatory labelling and marking<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to disclose use of recycled plastic<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exemptions allowed for <\/span><b>sectors like food, medicines and pesticides due to other regulatory laws<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Carry forward provision allows<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> companies to meet shortfall within <\/span><b>three years with partial yearly compliance<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introduction of <\/span><b>trading certificates for buying and selling recycling credits<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>End-of-life disposal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allows use of non-recyclable plastic for energy generation, fuel, cement industry and road construction<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/e-waste-management-rules-2016\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>E-Waste (Management) Rules<\/b><\/a><b>, 2022<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/waste-management-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Waste management<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is handled through an <\/span><b>online portal managed by CPCB.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Producers must meet EPR targets for collecting and recycling e-waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aims to reduce harmful substances and promote safe recycling of electronics.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Covers generation, storage, treatment, and movement of hazardous waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Industries must follow strict rules for classification and safe handling.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waste generators are fully responsible for safe disposal to avoid harm.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/bio-medical-waste-management\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Bio-Medical Waste Management<\/b><\/a><b> Rules, 2016<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applies to hospitals and healthcare facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waste must be segregated using color-coded bags at the source.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Requires proper treatment using incinerators or autoclaves.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Construction and Demolition (C&amp;D) Waste Rules, 2016<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Builders must separate construction waste and submit waste plans.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Local authorities must set up collection and recycling systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourages reuse and processing of construction debris.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Recent COP Meetings of Basel, Rotterdam &amp; Stockholm Conventions<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>17th Basel, 12th Rotterdam, and 12th <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/stockholm-convention\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Stockholm Convention<\/b><\/a><b> COPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were held together in <\/span><b>Geneva<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to strengthen global environmental governance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Joint Commitment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> All three conventions agreed to improve coordination and cooperation with other global environmental agreements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Basel Convention (COP-17):<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Updated <\/span><b>technical guidelines for managing POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) waste.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adopted a new <\/span><b>Strategic Framework (2025-2031)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for better waste management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Started <\/span><b>new work on transboundary movement of textile waste.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>New Focus Area &#8211; Textile Waste:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often mislabelled as <\/span><b>donations or recyclables.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creates problems for <\/span><b>developing countries (Global South) in identifying usable vs waste materials.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shipbreaking Issue:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around <\/span><b>15,000 ships are expected to be dismantled in the next 15 years.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ships contain hazardous materials like <\/span><b>POPs and heavy metals.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regulatory challenge due to <\/span><b>overlap between Basel Convention and Hong Kong Convention rules.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Basel Convention protects human health and environment by regulating hazardous waste movement, toxic trade, e-waste and global waste management rules.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":103993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[7591,4993,5106],"class_list":{"0":"post-103980","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-basel-convention","9":"tag-environment","10":"tag-environment-notes","11":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103980"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103980\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":103987,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103980\/revisions\/103987"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/103993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=103980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}