Export and import of hazardous chemicals. Recast

The Council took note of a progress report on the proposal for a regulation concerning the export and import of hazardous chemicals.

The aim of the proposal is to replace regulation 689/2008, which implements the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC) for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade.

The provisions of the regulation go beyond those of the Convention and offer more protection to importing countries since they are addressed to all countries and not just to the Parties to the Convention. The scope of the regulation is not limited to chemicals that are banned or severely restricted under the Convention, but also covers those chemicals at EU level. In addition, the regulation ensures that all chemicals are appropriately packed and labelled when exported.