Alarm as some nations block move on asbestos

A small number of countries – Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, India and Vietnam – have been accused of blocking moves to add asbestos to a lengthy list of hazardous substances under the UN’s Rotterdam Convention.

The convention, which was signed in 1998 and came into force in 2004, lays down a “prior informed consent procedure” for hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade – including proper labelling and directions on safe handling.

The 72 countries that have signed the convention can also decide whether to allow or ban the importation of chemicals listed in the treaty, and exporting countries are obliged to make sure that producers within their jurisdiction comply with the requirements.

At the end of a conference in Geneva, the Rotterdam Convention Alliance, representing civil society groups, expressed alarm that the convention had been “hijacked by the asbestos industry”, to prevent the implementation of environmental and health safeguards.