Issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
2 September 2002
"Conventions to Strengthen the Protection of Human Health and The Environment"
The South African government has ratified both the Stockholm and the Rotterdam Conventions, aimed at strengthening the protection of human health and the environment, again indicating its commitment to global environmental management.
The ratification was endorsed by both Houses of Parliament, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. Yesterday (Friday, 30 August), the instrument was deposited with the UN Secretary of Conventions in New York to complete the process.
This ratification speaks to South Africa's political commitment to further enhancing the effectiveness of environmental legislation.
The Vienna style negotiations held during the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), for consideration and adoption by Heads of States, have recommended that countries should aim to achieve that chemicals are produced and used in a manner that leads to the minimisation of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment by year 2020.
To this end, the ratification of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) were seen as imperative.
These conventions address toxic chemicals and other hazardous chemicals, which kill or seriously sicken thousands of people every year. They also poison the natural environment and damage many wild animal species.
The Rotterdam Convention establishes a first line of defense by giving importing countries the tools and information they need to identify potential hazards and exclude chemicals they are unable to manage safely. If a country agrees to import chemicals, the Convention promotes their safe use through labeling standards, technical assistance, and other forms of support. In turn, it ensures that exporters of these goods comply with the same requirements.
The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from POPs. POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for prolonged periods of time, enjoy wide geographical distribution, and accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms. They can be extremely harmful.
In implementing the Convention, South Africa will take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment.
The chemicals controlled by both conventions include pesticides such as DDT; industrial chemicals such as Polychlorinatedbiphenyls (PCBs), used in electric transformers; and industrial by-products that include the toxic chemicals Dioxins and Furans.
Participation of South Africa in these conventions is aimed at strengthening global environmental governance, with the sole purpose of protection human health and the environment.
Contact: Buti Mathebula
Director: Chemicals and Hazardous Waste Management
083 321 3014
(012) 310-3448