This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Document 52018PC0753
Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention regarding compliance procedures
Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention regarding compliance procedures
Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention regarding compliance procedures
COM/2018/753 final
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 19.11.2018
COM(2018) 753 final
2018/0391(NLE)
Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention regarding compliance procedures
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1.Subject matter of the proposal
This proposal concerns the decision establishing the position to be taken on the Union's behalf at the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Rotterdam Convention in connection with the envisaged proposal of a procedural annex on procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance.
2.Context of the proposal
2.1.The Rotterdam Convention
The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (‘the Convention’) aims to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of hazardous chemicals, in order to protect human health and the environment, and contribute to the environmentally sound use of those chemicals. The Convention creates legally binding obligations for the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, and protects countries, particularly developing countries, from unwanted exports of chemicals from producing countries by imposing export obligations on exporting Parties.
The Agreement entered into force on 24 February 2004.
The European Union is a party to the Agreement 1 .
2.2.The Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention
Established pursuant to Article 18 of the Convention, the CoP is the governing body of the Rotterdam Convention. This body normally meets every two years to monitor the implementation of the Convention. It also reviews chemicals brought forward for its consideration by the Chemical Review Committee.
In accordance with Articles 44 and 45 of the Rules of Procedure for the CoP to the Rotterdam Convention, each party has one vote. However, Regional Economic Integration Organisations such as the EU exercise their right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of their member States that are Parties to the Convention.
2.3.The envisaged act of the Conference of the Parties
At the 9th ordinary meeting the CoP, taking place from 29 April to 10 May 2019, will consider the adoption of an additional annex on procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance (‘the envisaged act’). The proposed new annex includes mutatis mutandis the same text previously discussed at CoP7 and CoP8 that had the support of an overwhelming majority of Parties.
This annex would fall within the scope of Article 22.2 of the Convention, which provides for a procedure for adopting annexes that concern “procedural, scientific, technical or administrative matters”. This envisaged act implies the application of an existing agreement, which does not alter the scope or content of the convention.
The purpose of the envisaged act is to render more effective the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention by inserting a non-compliance mechanism as required by Article 17 of the Convention. Article 17 provides that “the Conference of the Parties shall, as soon as practicable, develop and approve procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance with the provisions of this Convention and for treatment of Parties found to be in non-compliance”.
Determining non-compliance is decisive in increasing transparency and the preparedness of the Parties to comply with their international obligations. The annexed proposal provides an alternate means to support Parties wanting to establish compliance procedures, using text already prepared at previous meetings of the CoP. The intent is to begin reaping the benefits of having a facilitative compliance mechanism in place, which will help identify issues and solutions related to compliance and ultimately lead to greater effectiveness of the Convention.
Although the Convention text clearly indicates that procedures and mechanisms to address non-compliance are to be developed and approved “as soon as practicable”, 14 years after entry into force of the Convention and negotiations during all of the eight CoPs held since then, Parties have not yet adopted such procedures and mechanisms.
In accordance with Article 22.1 of the Agreement, the proposed additional annex to the Convention would “form an integral part thereof and, unless expressly provided otherwise, a reference to this Convention constitutes at the same time a reference to any annexes thereto’. The adoption of the annex does not require ratification by Parties in order to enter into force. Moreover, any Party opposing the proposal would be able to opt out from the application of the new annex, in accordance with Article 22.3(b), which would give a way out to the States voting against it. Thus, the envisaged act will be binding on all Parties that have not opted-out from its application.
3.Position to be taken on the Union's behalf
As a leader in environmental policy-making, it is crucial for the EU to reaffirm its global commitment to promote better implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and standards. Member States’ delegations have already explicitly supported the initiative of a proposal to establish the compliance mechanism in an additional annex to the convention on behalf of the EU, at the WPIEI International Chemicals meeting on 7 June 2018.
In addition, this initiative is in line with the Juncker priority to become a stronger global actor, with the sustainable development goals, in particular good health (3) and responsible consumption and production (12), and with the 7th Environment Action Programme.
The Union should therefore support the proposed Annex and co-sponsor it in the run-up to the CoP9.
The position to be taken on the Union's behalf at the CoP needs to be established, since the additional annex will be binding on the Union. This position should be established as early as possible, in order to ensure co-sponsorship of the additional annex.
4.Legal basis
4.1.Procedural legal basis
4.1.1.Principles
Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) provides for the procedures concerning decisions establishing ‘the positions to be adopted on the Union’s behalf in a body set up by an agreement, when that body is called upon to adopt acts having legal effects, with the exception of acts supplementing or amending the institutional framework of the agreement.’
The concept of ‘acts having legal effects’ includes acts that have legal effects by virtue of the rules of international law governing the body in question. It also includes instruments that do not have a binding effect under international law, but that are ‘capable of decisively influencing the content of the legislation adopted by the EU legislature’ 2 .
4.1.2.Application to the present case
The CoP is a body set up by an agreement, namely the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.
The act, which the CoP is called upon to adopt, constitutes an act having legal effects. The envisaged act will be binding under international law in accordance with Article 22-1 of the Rotterdam Convention.
The envisaged act does not supplement or amend the institutional framework of the Agreement. It will not have a decisive influence on the content of EU legislation, either.
Therefore, the procedural legal basis for the proposed decision is Article 218(9) of the TFEU.
4.2.Substantive legal basis
4.2.1.Principles
The substantive legal basis for a decision under Article 218(9) of the TFEU depends primarily on the objective and content of the envisaged act in respect of which a position is taken on the Union's behalf. If the envisaged act pursues two aims or has two components and if one of those aims or components is identifiable as the main one, whereas the other is merely incidental, the decision under Article 218(9) of the TFEU must be founded on a single substantive legal basis, namely that required by the main or predominant aim or component.
4.2.2.Application to the present case
The main objective and content of the envisaged act relate to the ‘environment’. However, the measures agreed under the Rotterdam Convention, while pursuing an environmental objective, are also largely of a trade-related nature.
4.3.Conclusion
The legal bases of the proposed decision should therefore be the substantive legal bases are Article 207(3) and Article 192(1) of the TFEU, in conjunction with Article 218(9) of the TFEU.
5.Publication of the envisaged act
As the act of the CoP will implement the Rotterdam Convention by a new procedural annex, it is appropriate to publish it in the Official Journal of the European Union after its adoption.
2018/0391 (NLE)
Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention regarding compliance procedures
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 192(1) and 207(3), in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1)The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (‘the Convention’) was concluded on behalf of by the Union by Council Decision 2006/730/EC 3 and entered into force on 24 February 2004.
(2)Pursuant to Article 22 of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties may adopt additional annexes to the Convention that relate to “procedural, scientific, technical or administrative matters”.
(3)At the 9th ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties, taking place from 29 April to 10 May 2019, the Parties will consider the adoption of an additional procedural annex introducing a non-compliance mechanism as required by Article 17 of the Convention.
(4)It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union's behalf in the Conference of the Parties, as the additional annex will be binding on the Union.
(5)The Union reaffirms that it is crucial to promote and to commit globally towards a better implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and standards.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION
Article 1
The position to be taken on the Union's behalf in the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention shall be to support the draft act (“the envisaged act”) attached to this Decision and/or possible refinements which result in the adoption of procedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance, as required by Article 17 of the Convention.
Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Commission.
Article 3
The envisaged act shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union after its adoption by the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention.
Done at Brussels,
For the Council
The President
OJ L 299, 28.10.2006, p. 23–25.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 19.11.2018
COM(2018) 753 final
ANNEX
to the
Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION
on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention regarding compliance procedures
ANNEX
Draft decision RC-9/[ ]: Procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention
Submission by …
Decides to adopt Annex VII to the Convention, setting out procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention, as contained in the annex to the present decision.
APPENDIX.
Annex VII: Procedures and mechanisms on compliance with the Rotterdam Convention
(1)A compliance committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”) is hereby established.
Members
(2)The Committee shall consist of 15 members. Members shall be nominated by parties and elected by the Conference of the Parties on the basis of equitable geographical representation of the five regional groups of the United Nations.
(3)Members shall have expertise and specific qualifications in the subject matter covered by the Convention. They shall serve objectively and in the best interests of the Convention.
Election of members
(4)At its first meeting after the entry into force of this annex, the Conference of the Parties shall elect eight members of the Committee for one term and seven members for two terms. The Conference of the Parties shall, at each ordinary meeting thereafter, elect for two full terms new members to replace those members whose period of office has expired or is about to expire. Members shall not serve for more than two consecutive terms. For the purpose of this annex, “term” shall mean the period that begins at the end of one ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties and ends at the end of the next ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
(5)If a member of the Committee resigns or is otherwise unable to complete his or her term of office or to perform his or her functions, the party who nominated that member shall nominate an alternate to serve for the remainder of the term.
Officers
(6)The Committee shall elect its own Chair. A vice-chair and a rapporteur shall be elected, on a rotating basis, by the Committee in accordance with rule 30 of the rules of procedure of the Conference of the Parties.
Meetings
(7)The Committee shall hold meetings as necessary and wherever possible in conjunction with meetings of the Conference of the Parties or other Convention bodies.
(8)Subject to paragraph 9 below, the meetings of the Committee shall be open to parties and the public unless the Committee decides otherwise.
When the Committee is dealing with submissions pursuant to paragraph 12 or 13, the meetings of the Committee shall be open to parties and closed to the public unless the party whose compliance is in question agrees otherwise.
The parties or observers to whom the meeting is open shall not have a right to participate in the meeting unless the Committee and the party whose compliance is in question agree otherwise.
(9)Where a submission is made with regard to the possible non-compliance of a party, it shall be invited to participate in the consideration of the submission by the Committee. Such a party, however, may not take part in the elaboration and adoption of a recommendation or conclusion of the Committee.
(10)The Committee shall make every effort to reach agreement on all matters of substance by consensus. Where this is not possible, the report shall reflect the views of all the Committee members. If all efforts to reach consensus have been exhausted and no agreement has been reached, any decision shall, as a last resort, be taken by a four-fifths majority of the members present and voting or by eight members, whichever is greater. Ten members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
(11)Each member of the Committee shall, in respect of any matter that is under consideration by the Committee, avoid direct or indirect conflicts of interest. When a member finds himself or herself faced with a direct or indirect conflict of interest, or is a citizen of a party whose compliance is in question, that member shall bring the issue to the attention of the Committee before consideration of the matter. The concerned member shall not participate in the elaboration and adoption of a recommendation of the Committee in relation to that matter.
(12)Submissions may be made in writing, through the Secretariat where subparagraphs (a) and (b) apply, by:
(a)A party which believes that, despite its best endeavours, it is, or will be, unable to comply with certain obligations under the Convention. Such a submission should include details as to which specific obligations are concerned and an assessment of the reason why the party may be unable to meet those obligations. Where possible, substantiating information, or advice as to where such substantiating information may be found, may be provided. The submission may include suggestions for solutions which the party considers may be most appropriate to its particular needs.
(b)A party that is directly affected or likely to be directly affected by another party’s alleged failure to comply with the obligations of the Convention. A party intending to make a submission under this subparagraph should before so doing undertake consultations with the party whose compliance is in question. The submission should include details as to which specific obligations are concerned, and information substantiating the submission, including how the party is affected or likely to be affected.
(13)The Committee in order to assess possible difficulties faced by parties in fulfilling their obligations under the Articles 4 (1) , 5 (1) and (2) and 10 of the Convention, upon receipt of information from the Secretariat provided by such Parties pursuant to those provisions, shall notify the party in writing regarding the matter of concern. If the matter has not been resolved within 90 days by consultation through the Secretariat with the party concerned and the Committee considers the matter further, it shall do so in accordance with paragraphs 16 to 24.
(14)The Secretariat shall forward submissions made under subparagraph 12 (a) above, within two weeks of receiving such submissions, to the members of the Committee for consideration at the Committee’s next meeting.
(15)The Secretariat shall, within two weeks of its receiving any submission made under subparagraph 12 (b) or in furtherance to paragraph 13, send a copy to the party whose compliance with the Convention is in question and to the members of the Committee for consideration at the Committee’s next meeting.
(16)Parties whose compliance is in question may present responses or comments at every step of the proceedings described in the present decision.
(17)Without prejudice to paragraph 16 above, additional information, provided by a party whose compliance is in question in response to a submission, should be forwarded to the Secretariat within three months of the date of receipt of the submission by that party, unless the circumstances of a particular case require an extended period of time. Such information shall be immediately transmitted to the members of the Committee for consideration at the Committee’s next meeting. Where a submission has been made pursuant to subparagraph 12 (b) above, the information shall be forwarded by the Secretariat also to the party that made the submission.
(18)The Committee may decide not to proceed with submissions which it considers to be:
(a)De minimis;
(b)Manifestly ill-founded.
Facilitation
(19)The Committee shall consider any submission made to it in accordance with paragraph 12 or in furtherance of paragraph 13 above with a view to establishing the facts and the root causes of the matter of concern and to assisting in its resolution, taking into account Article 16 of the Convention. To that end, the Committee may provide a party with:
(a)Advice;
(b)Non-binding recommendations;
(c)Any further information required to assist the party in developing a compliance plan, including timelines and targets.
Possible measures to address compliance issues
(20)If, after undertaking the facilitation procedure set forth in paragraph 19 above and taking into account the cause, type, degree and frequency of compliance difficulties, including financial and technical capacities of the parties whose compliance is in question, the Committee considers it necessary to propose further measures to address a party’s compliance problems, it may recommend to the Conference of the Parties, bearing in mind its ability under Article 18, paragraph 5 (c), of the Convention, that it consider the following measures, to be taken in accordance with international law, to attain compliance:
(a) Further support under the Convention for the party concerned, including facilitation, as appropriate, of access to financial resources, technical assistance and capacity-building;
(b) Providing advice regarding future compliance in order to help parties to implement the provisions of the Convention and to promote cooperation between all parties;
(c) Requesting the Party concerned to update on its efforts;
(d) Issuing a statement of concern regarding possible future non-compliance;
(e) Issuing a statement of concern regarding current non-compliance;
(f) Requesting the Executive Secretary to make public cases of non-compliance;
(g) Recommending that a non-compliant situation be addressed by the noncompliant party with the aim of resolving the situation.
Handling of information
(21)(1) The Committee may receive relevant information, through the Secretariat, from:
(a)The parties;
(b)Relevant sources, as it considers necessary and appropriate, with the prior consent of the party concerned or as directed by the Conference of the Parties;
(c)The Convention clearing-house mechanism and relevant intergovernmental organizations. The Committee shall provide the Party concerned with such information and invite it to present comments thereon.
(2) The Committee may also request information from the Secretariat, where appropriate in the form of a report, on matters under the Committee’s consideration.
(22)For the purposes of examining systemic issues of general compliance under paragraph 25, the Committee may:
(a)Request information from all parties;
(b)In accordance with relevant guidance by the Conference of the Parties, request relevant information from any reliable sources and outside experts; and
(c)Consult with the Secretariat and draw upon its experience and knowledge base.
(23)Subject to Article 14 of the Convention, the Committee, any party and any person involved in the deliberations of the Committee shall protect the confidentiality of information received in confidence.
Monitoring
(24)The Compliance Committee should monitor the consequences of action taken in pursuance of paragraphs 19 or 20 above.
General compliance issues
(25)The Compliance Committee may examine systemic issues of general compliance of interest to all parties where:
(a)The Conference of the Parties so requests;
(b)The Committee, on the basis of information obtained by the Secretariat, while acting pursuant to its functions under the Convention, from Parties and submitted to the Committee by the Secretariat, decides that there is a need for an issue of general non-compliance to be examined and for a report on it to be made to the Conference of the Parties.
Reports to the Conference of the Parties
(26)The Committee shall submit a report to each ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties reflecting:
(a)The work that the Committee has undertaken;
(b)The conclusions or recommendations of the Committee;
(c)The future programme of work of the Committee, including the schedule of expected meetings which it considers necessary for the fulfilment of its programme of work, for the consideration and approval of the Conference of the Parties.
Other subsidiary bodies
(27)Where the activities of the Committee in respect of particular issues overlap with the responsibilities of another Rotterdam Convention body, the Conference of the Parties may direct the Committee to consult with that body.
Information sharing with other relevant multilateral environmental agreements
(28)Where relevant, the Committee may solicit specific information, upon request by the Conference of the Parties, or directly, from compliance committees dealing with hazardous substances and wastes under the auspices of other relevant multilateral environmental agreements and report on these activities to the Conference of the Parties.
Review of the compliance mechanism
(29)The Conference of the Parties shall regularly review the implementation of the procedures and mechanisms set forth in this annex.
Relationship with settlement of disputes
(30)These procedures and mechanisms shall be without prejudice to Article 20 of the Convention.