Participation in Treaties - Rotterdam Convention

The Convention establishes the principle that export of a chemical covered by the Convention can only take place with the prior informed consent of the importing party. The Convention establishes a "Prior Informed Consent procedure," a means for formally obtaining and disseminating the decisions of importing countries as to whether they wish to receive future shipments of specified chemicals and for ensuring compliance with these decisions by exporting countries. The Convention initially covers 22 pesticides (including five severely hazardous pesticide formulations) and 5 industrial chemicals, but many more are expected to be added in the future. The Conference of the Parties will decide on the inclusion of chemicals.