Chemicals subject to the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions
On 18 August 2004, Australia became a party to two international agreements relating to the trade of certain hazardous chemicals. These agreements are the:
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
To implement these conventions, controls on import, manufacture, use and export have been introduced under the:
- Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Regulations 1995 (Agvet Regulations)
- Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
- Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958
The Agvet Regulations prohibit certain activities in relation to these chemicals either absolutely or subject to conditions. The Customs Regulations complement the Agvet Regulations by introducing controls at the border. For information on the import, export and use of chemicals listed under these conventions, please see the following links
Stockholm Convention
Rotterdam Convention
Applications for permission to import chemicals controlled under the Stockholm Convention must be made using the online permit application system.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury and Lighting
The Mercury Convention addresses mercury releases through its lifecycle: mining, import and export, manufacture into products, emission and releases, contaminated sites, waste management, recovery and reuse.
Australia signed the Convention in October 2013 and is now considering ratifying the Convention and being bound by its requirements. More information on this convention can be found here.