Document
Index
1999-2000 Ministerial Statements
Investing in our Natural and
Cultural Heritage
Chapter 7
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Document
Index |
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The International Programme on Chemical Safety is a body set up by the General Assembly
of the United Nations, and operates under the Memorandum of Understanding between its
three cooperating agencies: the World Health Organization, the International Labour
Organization, and the United Nations Environment Programme. Its aim is to provide
internationally evaluated scientific bases on which countries may develop their own
chemical safety measures.
The overall objective of the programme is to improve the environmentally sound management
of chemicals at both national and international levels through:
Contact: Department of Health and Aged Care -- 02 6289 8848
The Commonwealth, in cooperation with the States and Territories, is working to reduce
hazards arising from scheduled wastes. The Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Hexachlorobenzene
Management Plans are being implemented and progressively incorporated into legislation or
regulations in the States and Territories. A third plan, for management of unwanted
organochlorine pesticides, will be implemented through the new Chemwatch programme.
The Commonwealth participates in international meetings related to safe chemical
management (including treaty negotiations and related domestic activities) to ensure that
Australia's international and domestic environmental interests are reflected in relevant
international outcomes. Specific activity includes: participation in negotiations to
develop a binding international treaty on persistent organic pollutants, consideration of
Australia's possible signature of the Rotterdam treaty (on Prior Informed Consent in
international trade in certain hazardous chemicals); participation in OECD chemicals
programme meetings; and completion of various technical work to develop Australia's
position for these meetings on a sound and well-informed scientific basis.
Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group -- 02 6274 1036
Exports and imports of hazardous waste are controlled under the Hazardous Waste
(Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989. The Act implements Australia's
obligations under the Basel Convention and ensures that hazardous waste shipments are not
permitted unless they can be processed in an environmentally sound manner at the receiving
facility. The Act also provides a framework under which wastes can be sent back if they
cannot be processed as intended.
Australia is working with other Parties to the Convention to improve its operation, and in
particular, to help countries in the Asia-Pacific region to develop their domestic
capacity for hazardous waste management. Within the OECD, Australia has played a leading
role in streamlining the various Council Acts that control waste shipments among OECD
countries, and in minimising duplication with the Basel Convention. In the South Pacific,
Australia has introduced regulations to implement the Waigani Convention, which prohibits
imports of hazardous waste into the island states of the region.
Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group -- 02 6274 1411
At the start of 1997-98 the Commonwealth provided additional resources to ensure a
continuing Commonwealth input on essential aspects of assessment of contaminated site
matters and coordination and leadership in dealing with the Commonwealth's jurisdictional
interests regarding contaminated sites. The resource has facilitated Commonwealth and
stakeholder involvement in the development of a National Environment Protection Measure on
Assessment of Site Contamination.
Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group -- 02 6274 1114
The Commonwealth has completed a new national uniform regulatory regime for the
transport of dangerous goods by road, including substances that may be hazardous to
people, property, or the environment. State and Territory jurisdictions have implemented
this new legislation progressively over the last two years. Development in the future may
involve extending this regime to cover rail transport, and to including three additional
classes of dangerous goods: radioactive substances, explosives and infectious substances
not presently covered by the implementing legislation.
Contact: Department of Transport and Regional Services -- 02 6274 7016
