Basel Convention

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was held in 1989 in Basel (Switzerland) and entered into application in 1992.

Objectives and regulations of the Basel Convention

The objective of this convention is to avoid the transfer of hazardous waste produced in developed countries where environmental and health regulations are restrictive to developing countries. The international treaty also seeks to reduce the quantity and toxicity of waste produced and to accompany developing countries in their waste management practices.

This treaty prohibits the export of waste that is hazardous to health and the environment, from Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries to developing countries or countries that do not have the means to ensure its rational ecological management.

The Basel Convention also requires that the receiving country has agreed to the operation and that the transport of the waste is informed without harmful effects for health and the environment.