Objectives: To set out measures to control transboundary movements of hazardous wastes in the Mediterranean with a view to the protection of its environment.
Summary of provisions: Parties agree to take appropriate measures to: prevent, abate and eliminate pollution of the area covered by the Protocol which can be caused by transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous wastes. They undertake to reduce to a minimum, and where possible eliminate, the generation of hazardous wastes and the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, and if possible to eliminate such movement in the Mediterranean, They are to prohibit the export and transit of hazardous wastes to developing countries and Parties which are not Member States of the European Community and Monaco (arts.5.1-4).
The Protocol contains provisions concerning the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and required notification procedures that take into account provisions of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (art.6). Modalities for dealing with illegal traffic are addressed by article9. Provisions are made for the exchange of information on the implementation of the Protocol (art.11), the public's access to relevant information and an opportunity for them to participate in relevant procedures (art.12) as well as verification with regard to Parties' compliance with the Protocol (art.13).
Parties undertake to cooperate inter alia in taking appropriate measures to implement the precautionary approach (art.8.3), in formulating and implementing programmes of financial and technical assistance to developing countries for the implementation of the Protocol (art.10) as well as in setting out appropriate guidelines for the evaluation of the damage as well as rules and procedures in the field of liability and compensation for damage resulting from the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous wastes (art.14).
(Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005, based on UNEP Register of International Treaties and Other Agreements in the Field of the Environment, 1996)