The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in international trade provides Parties with a first line of defence against hazardous chemicals. It promotes international efforts to protect human health and the environment as well as enabling countries to decide if they want to import hazardous chemicals and pesticides listed in the Convention.
The Conference of the Parties (ratifying countries) meets every two years in Geneva, Switzerland to consider hazardous chemicals or pesticides for listing on Annex III to the Convention.
The Conference of the Parties has agreed since 2006 that all criteria for listing chrysotile asbestos on Annex III have been met and has recommended it be listed.
Despite the support of dozens of countries, international trade union bodies and civil society organisations for listing, concerted efforts by a handful of countries (led by Russia and Kazakhstan) and the chrysotile industry have blocked listing due to the need for full consensus (i.e. 100% support) for listing of chemicals and pesticides.
The countries and international organisations in favour of listing will continue to raise awareness about the need for restrictions on the trade of asbestos leading up to the next CoP in 2027 where it will be on the agenda again.