Rotterdam Convention enters into force in China.
The "Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade" entered into force in China on June 20. The "Rotterdam Convention" was adopted in September 1998 after negotiations held by the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) and the FAO...

Registrations for chemicals exported to China.
There are considerable laws and regulations related to China's supervision and administration of chemicals today. In terms of international conventions and treaties, they include the "Convention Concerning Safe in the Use of Chemicals at Work" (International Convention No. 170), the "Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer"...

U.N. consent procedure for dangerous chemicals in force.
On February 24, the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) announced that there were enough ratifications to bring into force the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, or the "Rotterdam Convention." Jacques Diouf,...

Selected aspects of international trade and the World Trade Organization's Doha round: overview and introduction.
I. International trade is credited with alleviating poverty for hundreds of millions in the world, especially in India and China. (1) However, not all have benefited from it. To illustrate, Africa's share in the world trade has declined since the 1990s, and sub-Saharan countries have been marginalized....

Improving national enforcement for better governance implementing multilateral environmental agreements.
On the topic of improving national enforcement as a key tool to better governance under multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), I have the honor to offer this short paper of recommendations. The views expressed here are entirely my own and do not represent those of United States Environmental Protection Agency...

In my backyard: how enabling hazardous waste trade to developing nations can improve the Basel Convention's ability to achieve environmental justice.
I. INTRODUCTION II. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE--CENTRAL PRINCIPLES A. Domestic Origins of Environmental Justice 1. Categories of Domestic Environmental Justice 2. Two Central Methods for Achieving Environmental Justice B. International Environmental Justice III. BASEL CONVENTION--HISTORY, COMPONENT PARTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE A. The Basic Mechanics of the Basel Convention 1. Minimizing Transboundary...

The regulation of DDT: a choice between evils.
ABSTRACT DDT has the potential for great benefit and great harm. It is currently the most efficient method for controlling malaria, particularly for those countries the disease affects most. However, it also causes global pollution and damages the health of humans and wildlife. These characteristics of DDT...

Govt, industry team up for study on asbestos use.
Byline: Nitin Sethi NEW DELHI: The government and the Indian asbestos industry are colluding to "generate" a science that will help the industry survive a global move to cut down use of the cancer-causing material. Several prominent trade unions and civil society groups have complained...

Recommendations for codes of conduct.
What obligation does a scientist have to ensure that his/her work is used for the benefit of mankind? That serious question is being asked frequently these days, especially in the biochemical and microbiological communities, where pathogenic organisms can easily be created. Chemists also must consider the ethical implications of...

Asbestos lobby to study health hazards.
Byline: Nitin Sethi NEW DELHI: You have heard of the cigarette lobby funding research on impact of tobacco consumption abroad. Now, hear it in the case of asbestos in India. The asbestos lobby has partially funded a research commissioned by chemicals and fertilisers ministry to...