Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam
o razglasitvi Zakona o ratifikaciji Konvencije Minamata o živem srebru (MKMŽS)
Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Konvencije Minamata o živem srebru (MKMŽS), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji dne 24. maja 2017.
Št. 003-02-5/2017-15
Ljubljana, dne 1. junija 2017
Borut Pahor l.r.
O RATIFIKACIJI KONVENCIJE MINAMATA O ŽIVEM SREBRU (MKMŽS)
1. člen
Ratificira se Konvencija Minamata o živem srebru, podpisana v Kumamotu 10. oktobra 2013.
Konvencija se v izvirniku v angleškem jeziku in prevodu v slovenskem jeziku glasi:
MINAMATA CONVENTION ON MERCURY
The Parties to this Convention,
Recognizing that mercury is a chemical of global concern owing to its long-range atmospheric transport, its persistence in the environment once anthropogenically introduced, its ability to bioaccumulate in ecosystems and its significant negative effects on human health and the environment,
Recalling decision 25/5 of 20 February 2009 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme to initiate international action to manage mercury in an efficient, effective and coherent manner,
Recalling paragraph 221 of the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development "The future we want", which called for a successful outcome of the negotiations on a global legally binding instrument on mercury to address the risks to human health and the environment,
Recalling the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development's reaffirmation of the principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, including, inter alia, common but differentiated responsibilities, and acknowledging States' respective circumstances and capabilities and the need for global action,
Aware of the health concerns, especially in developing countries, resulting from exposure to mercury of vulnerable populations, especially women, children, and, through them, future generations,
Noting the particular vulnerabilities of Arctic ecosystems and indigenous communities because of the biomagnification of mercury and contamination of traditional foods, and concerned about indigenous communities more generally with respect to the effects of mercury,
Recognizing the substantial lessons of Minamata Disease, in particular the serious health and environmental effects resulting from the mercury pollution, and the need to ensure proper management of mercury and the prevention of such events in the future,
Stressing the importance of financial, technical, technological, and capacity-building support, particularly for developing countries, and countries with economies in transition, in order to strengthen national capabilities for the management of mercury and to promote the effective implementation of the Convention,
Recognizingalso the activities of the World Health Organization in the protection of human health related to mercury and the roles of relevant multilateral environmental agreements, especially the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade,
Recognizing that this Convention and other international agreements in the field of the environment and trade are mutually supportive,
Emphasizing that nothing in this Convention is intended to affect the rights and obligations of any Party deriving from any existing international agreement,
Understanding that the above recital is not intended to create a hierarchy between this Convention and other international instruments,
Noting that nothing in this Convention prevents a Party from taking additional domestic measures consistent with the provisions of this Convention in an effort to protect human health and the environment from exposure to mercury in accordance with that Party's other obligations under applicable international law,
Have agreed as follows:
The objective of this Convention is to protect the human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.
For the purposes of this Convention:
(a) "Artisanal and small-scale gold mining" means gold mining conducted by individual miners or small enterprises with limited capital investment and production;
(b) "Best available techniques" means those techniques that are the most effective to prevent and, where that is not practicable, to reduce emissions and releases of mercury to air, water and land and the impact of such emissions and releases on the environment as a whole, taking into account economic and technical considerations for a given Party or a given facility within the territory of that Party. In this context:
(i) "Best" means most effective in achieving a high general level of protection of the environment as a whole;
(ii) "Available" techniques means, in respect of a given Party and a given facility within the territory of that Party, those techniques developed on a scale that allows implementation in a relevant industrial sector under economically and technically viable conditions, taking into consideration the costs and benefits, whether or not those techniques are used or developed within the territory of that Party, provided that they are accessible to the operator of the facility as determined by that Party; and
(iii) "Techniques" means technologies used, operational practices and the ways in ¸ which installations are designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned;
(c) "Best environmental practices" means the application of the most appropriate combination of environmental control measures and strategies;
(d) "Mercury" means elemental mercury (Hg(0), CAS No. 7439-97-6);
(e) "Mercury compound" means any substance consisting of atoms of mercury and one or more atoms of other chemical elements that can be separated into different components only by chemical reactions;
(f) "Mercury-added product" means a product or product component that contains mercury or a mercury compound that was intentionally added;
(g) "Party" means a State or regional economic integration organization that has consented to be bound by this Convention and for which the Convention is in force;
(h) "Parties present and voting" means Parties present and casting an affirmative or negative vote at a meeting of the Parties;
(i) "Primary mercury mining" means mining in which the principal material sought is mercury;
(j) "Regional economic integration organization" means an organization constituted by sovereign States of a given region to which its member States have transferred competence in respect of matters governed by this Convention and which has been duly authorized, in accordance with its internal procedures, to sign, ratify, accept, approve or accede to this Convention; and
(k) "Use allowed" means any use by a Party of mercury or mercury compounds consistent with this Convention, including, but not limited to, uses consistent with Articles 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Mercury supply sources and trade
1. For the purposes of this Article:
(a) References to "mercury" include mixtures of mercury with other substances, including alloys of mercury, with a mercury concentration of at least 95 per cent by weight; and
(b) "Mercury compounds" means mercury (I) chloride (known also as calomel), mercury (II) oxide, mercury (II) sulphate, mercury (II) nitrate, cinnabar and mercury sulphide.
2. The provisions of this Article shall not apply to:
(a) Quantities of mercury or mercury compounds to be used for laboratory-scale research or as a reference standard; or
(b) Naturally occurring trace quantities of mercury or mercury compounds present in such products as non-mercury metals, ores, or mineral products, including coal, or products derived from these materials, and unintentional trace quantities in chemical products; or
(c) Mercury-added products.
3. Each Party shall not allow primary mercury mining that was not being conducted within its territory at the date of entry into force of the Convention for it.
4. Each Party shall only allow primary mercury mining that was being conducted within its territory at the date of entry into force of the Convention for it for a period of up to fifteen years after that date. During this period, mercury from such mining shall only be used in manufacturing of mercuryadded products in accordance with Article 4, in manufacturing processes in accordance with Article 5, or be disposed in accordance with Article 11, using operations which do not lead to recovery, recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative uses.
5. Each Party shall:
(a) Endeavour to identify individual stocks of mercury or mercury compounds exceeding 50 metric tons, as well as sources of mercury supply generating stocks exceeding 10 metric tons per year, that are located within its territory;
(b) Take measures to ensure that, where the Party determines that excess mercury from the decommissioning of chlor-alkali facilities is available, such mercury is disposed of in accordance with the guidelines for environmentally sound management referred to in paragraph 3 (a) of Article 11, using operations that do not lead to recovery, recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative uses.
6. Each Party shall not allow the export of mercury except:
(a) To a Party that has provided the exporting Party with its written consent, and only for the purpose of:
(i) A use allowedto the importing Party under this Convention; or
(ii) Environmentally sound interim storage as set out in Article 10; or
(b) To a non-Party that has provided the exporting Party with its written consent, including certification demonstrating that:
(i) The non-Party has measures in place to ensure the protection of human health and the environment and to ensure its compliance with the provisions of Articles 10 and 11; and
(ii) Such mercury will be used only for a use allowed to a Party under this Convention or for environmentally sound interim storage as set out in Article 10.
7. An exporting Party may rely on a general notification to the Secretariat by the importing Party or non-Party as the written consent required by paragraph 6. Such general notification shall set out any terms and conditions under which the importing Party or non-Party provides its consent. The notification may be revoked at any time by that Party or non-Party. The Secretariat shall keep a public register of all such notifications.
8. Each Party shall not allow the import of mercury from a non-Party to whom it will provide its written consent unless the non-Party has provided certification that the mercury is not from sources identified as not allowed under paragraph 3 or paragraph 5 (b).
9. A Party that submits a general notification of consent under paragraph 7 may decide not to apply paragraph 8, provided that it maintains comprehensive restrictions on the export of mercury and has domestic measures in place to ensure that imported mercury is managed in an environmentally sound manner. The Party shall provide a notification of such decision to the Secretariat, including information describing its export restrictions and domestic regulatory measures, as well as information on the quantities and countries of origin of mercury imported from non-Parties. The Secretariat shall maintain a public register of all such notifications. The Implementation and Compliance Committee shall review and evaluate any such notifications and supporting information in accordance with Article 15 and may make recommendations, as appropriate, to the Conference of the Parties.
10. The procedure set out in paragraph 9 shall be available until the conclusion of the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties. After that time, it shall cease to be available, unless the Conference of the Parties decides otherwise by simple majority of the Parties present and voting, except with respect to a Party that has provided a notification under paragraph 9 before the end of the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
11. Each Party shall include in its reports submitted pursuant to Article 21 information showing that the requirements of this Article have been met.
12. The Conference of the Parties shall at its first meeting provide further guidance in regard to this Article, particularly in regard to paragraphs 5 (a), 6 and 8, and shall develop and adopt the required content of the certification referred to in paragraphs 6 (b) and 8.
13. The Conference of the Parties shall evaluate whether the trade in specific mercury compounds compromises the objective of this Convention and consider whether specific mercury compounds should, by their listing in an additional annex adopted in accordance with Article 27, be made subject to paragraphs 6 and 8.
1. Each Party shall not allow, by taking appropriate measures, the manufacture, import or export of mercury-added products listed in Part I of Annex A after the phaseout date specified for those products, except where an exclusion is specified in Annex A or the Party has a registered exemption pursuant to Article 6.
2. A Party may, as an alternative to paragraph 1, indicate at the time of ratification or upon entry into force of an amendment to Annex A for it, that it will implement different measures or strategies to address products listed in Part I of Annex A. A Party may only choose this alternative if it can demonstrate that it has already reduced to a de minimis level the manufacture, import, and export of the large majority of the products listed in Part I of Annex A and that it has implemented measures or strategies to reduce the use of mercury in additional products not listed in Part I of Annex A at the time it notifies the Secretariat of its decision to use this alternative. In addition, a Party choosing this alternative shall:
(a) Report at the first opportunity to the Conference of the Parties a description of the measures or strategies implemented, including a quantification of the reductions achieved;
(b) Implement measures or strategies to reduce the use of mercury in any products listed in Part I of Annex A for which a de minimis value has not yet been obtained;
(c) Consider additional measures to achieve further reductions; and
(d) Not be eligible to claim exemptions pursuant to Article 6 for any product category for which this alternative is chosen.
No later than five years after the date of entry into force of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties shall, as part of the review process under paragraph 8, review the progress and the effectiveness of the measures taken under this paragraph.
3. Each Party shall take measures for the mercury-added products listed in Part II of Annex A in accordance with the provisions set out therein.
4. The Secretariat shall, on the basis of information provided by Parties, collect and maintain information on mercury-added products and their alternatives, and shall make such information publicly available. The Secretariat shall also make publicly available any other relevant information submitted by Parties.
5. Each Party shall take measures to prevent the incorporation into assembled products of mercury-added products the manufacture, import and export of which are not allowed for it under this Article.
6. Each Party shall discourage the manufacture and the distribution in commerce of mercuryadded products not covered by any known use of mercury-added products prior to the date of entry into force of the Convention for it, unless an assessment of the risks and benefits of the product demonstrates environmental or human health benefits. A Party shall provide to the Secretariat, as appropriate, information on any such product, including any information on the environmental and human health risks and benefits of the product. The Secretariat shall make such information publicly available.
7. Any Party may submit a proposal to the Secretariat for listing a mercury-added product in Annex A, which shall include information related to the availability, technical and economic feasibility and environmental and health risks and benefits of the nonmercury alternatives to the product, taking into account information pursuant to paragraph 4.
8. No later than five years after the date of entry into force of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties shall review Annex A and may consider amendments to that Annex in accordance with Article 27.
9. In reviewing Annex A pursuant to paragraph 8, the Conference of the Parties shall take into account at least:
(a) Any proposal submitted under paragraph 7;
(b) The information made available pursuant to paragraph 4; and
(c) The availability to the Parties of mercury-free alternatives that are technically and economically feasible, taking into account the environmental and human health risks and benefits.
Manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used
1. For the purposes of this Article and Annex B, manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used shall not include processes using mercury-added products, processes for manufacturing mercury-added products or processes that process mercury-containing waste.
2. Each Party shall not allow, by taking appropriate measures, the use of mercury or mercury compounds in the manufacturing processes listed in Part I of Annex B after the phase-out date specified in that Annex for the individual processes, except where the Party has a registered exemption pursuant to Article 6.
3. Each Party shall take measures to restrict the use of mercury or mercury compounds in the processes listed in Part II of Annex B in accordance with the provisions set out therein.
4. The Secretariat shall, on the basis of information provided by Parties, collect and maintain information on processes that use mercury or mercury compounds and their alternatives, and shall make such information publicly available. Other relevant information may also be submitted by Parties and shall be made publicly available by the Secretariat.
5. Each Party with one or more facilities that use mercury or mercury compounds in the manufacturing processes listed in Annex B shall:
(a) Take measures to address emissions and releases of mercury or mercury compounds from those facilities;
(b) Include in its reports submitted pursuant to Article 21 information on the measures taken pursuant to this paragraph; and
(c) Endeavour to identify facilities within its territory that use mercury or mercury compounds for processes listed in Annex B and submit to the Secretariat, no later than three years after the date of entry into force of the Convention for it, information on the number and types of such facilities and the estimated annual amount of mercury or mercury compounds used in those facilities. The Secretariat shall make such information publicly available.
6. Each Party shall not allow the use of mercury or mercury compounds in a facility that did not exist prior to the date of entry into force of the Convention for it using the manufacturing processes listed in Annex B. No exemptions shall apply to such facilities.
7. Each Party shall discourage the development of any facility using any other manufacturing process in which mercury or mercury compounds are intentionally used that did not exist prior to the date of entry into force of the Convention, except where the Party can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Conference of the Parties that the manufacturing process provides significant environmental and health benefits and that there are no technically and economically feasible mercury-free alternatives available providing such benefits.
8. Parties are encouraged to exchange information on relevant new technological developments, economically and technically feasible mercury-free alternatives, and possible measures and techniques to reduce and where feasible to eliminate the use of mercury and mercury compounds in, and emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds from, the manufacturing processes listed in Annex B.
9. Any Party may submit a proposal to amend Annex B in order to list a manufacturing process in which mercury or mercury compounds are used. It shall include information related to the availability, technical and economic feasibility and environmental and health risks and benefits of the non-mercury alternatives to the process.
10. No later than five years after the date of entry into force of the Convention, the Conference of the Parties shall review Annex B and may consider amendments to that Annex in accordance with Article 27.
11. In any review of Annex B pursuant to paragraph 10, the Conference of the Parties shall take into account at least:
(a) Any proposal submitted under paragraph 9;
(b) The information made available under paragraph 4; and
(c) The availability for the Parties of mercury-free alternatives which are technically and economically feasible taking into account the environmental and health risks and benefits.
Exemptions available to a Party upon request
1. Any State or regional economic integration organization may register for one or more exemptions from the phase-out dates listed in Annex A and Annex B, hereafter referred to as an "exemption", by notifying the Secretariat in writing:
(a) On becoming a Party to this Convention; or
(b) In the case of any mercury-added product that is added by an amendment to Annex A or any manufacturing process in which mercury is used that is added by an amendment to Annex B, no later than the date upon which the applicable amendment enters into force for the Party.
Any such registration shall be accompanied by a statement explaining the Party's need for the exemption.
2. An exemption can be registered either for a category listed in Annex A or B or for a subcategory identified by any State or regional economic integration organization.
3. Each Party that has one or more exemptions shall be identified in a register. The Secretariat shall establish and maintain the register and make it available to the public.
4. The register shall include:
(a) A list of the Parties that have one or more exemptions;
(b) The exemption or exemptions registered for each Party; and
(c) The expiration date of each exemption.
5. Unless a shorter period is indicated in the register by a Party, all exemptions pursuant to paragraph 1 shall expire five years after the relevant phase-out date listed in Annex A or B.
6. The Conference of the Parties may, at the request of a Party, decide to extend an exemption for five years unless the Party requests a shorter period. In making its decision, the Conference of the Parties shall take due account of:
(a) A report from the Party justifying the need to extend the exemption and outlining activities undertaken and planned to eliminate the need for the exemption as soon as feasible;
(b) Available information, including in respect of the availability of alternative products and processes that are free of mercury or that involve the consumption of less mercury than the exempt use; and
(c) Activities planned or under way to provide environmentally sound storage of mercury and disposal of mercury wastes.
An exemption may only be extended once per product per phase-out date.
7. A Party may at any time withdraw an exemption upon written notification to the Secretariat. The withdrawal of an exemption shall take effect on the date specified in the notification.
8. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, no State or regional economic integration organization may register for an exemption after five years after the phase-out date for the relevant product or process listed in Annex A or B, unless one or more Parties remain registered for an exemption for that product or process, having received an extension pursuant to paragraph 6. In that case, a State or regional economic integration organization may, at the times set out in paragraphs 1 (a) and (b), register for an exemption for that product or process, which shall expire ten years after the relevant phase-out date.
9. No Party may have an exemption in effect at any time after 10 years after the phase-out date for a product or process listed in Annex A or B.
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining
1. The measures in this Article and in Annex C shall apply to artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing in which mercury amalgamation is used to extract gold from ore.
2. Each Party that has artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing subject to this Article within its territory shalltake steps to reduce, and where feasible eliminate, the use of mercury and mercury compounds in, and the emissions and releases to the environment of mercury from, such mining and processing.
3. Each Party shall notify the Secretariat if at any time the Party determines that artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing in its territory is more than insignificant. If it so determinesthe Party shall:
(a) Develop and implement a national action plan in accordance with Annex C;
(b) Submit its national action plan to the Secretariat no later than three years after entry into force of the Convention for it or three years after the notification to the Secretariat, whichever is later; and
(c) Thereafter, provide a review every three years of the progress made in meeting its obligations under this Article and include such reviews in its reports submitted pursuant to Article 21.
4. Parties may cooperate with each other and with relevant intergovernmental organizations and other entities, as appropriate, to achieve the objectives of this Article. Such cooperation may include:
(a) Development of strategies to prevent the diversion of mercury or mercury compounds for use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing;
(b) Education, outreach and capacity-building initiatives;
(c) Promotion of research into sustainable non-mercury alternative practices;
(d) Provision of technical and financial assistance;
(e) Partnerships to assist in the implementation of their commitments under this Article; and
(f) Use of existing information exchange mechanisms to promote knowledge, best environmental practices and alternative technologies that are environmentally, technically, socially and economically viable.
1. This Article concerns controlling and, where feasible, reducing emissions of mercury and mercury compounds, often expressed as "total mercury", to the atmosphere through measures to control emissions from the point sources falling within the source categories listed in Annex D.
2. For the purposes of this Article:
(a) "Emissions" means emissions of mercury or mercury compounds to the atmosphere;
(b) "Relevant source" means a source falling within one of the source categories listed in Annex D. A Party may, if it chooses, establish criteria to identify the sources covered within a source category listed in Annex D so long as those criteria for any category include at least 75 per cent of the emissions from that category;
(c) "New source" means any relevant source within a category listed in Annex D, the construction or substantial modification of which is commenced at least one year after the date of:
(i) Entry into force of this Convention for the Party concerned; or
(ii) Entry into force for the Party concerned of an amendment to Annex D where the source becomes subject to the provisions of this Convention only by virtue of that amendment;
(d) "Substantial modification" means modification of a relevant source that results in a significant increase in emissions, excluding any change in emissions resulting from by-product recovery. It shall be a matter for the Party to decide whether a modification is substantial or not;
(e) "Existing source" means any relevant source that is not a new source;
(f) "Emission limit value" means a limit on the concentration, mass or emission rate of mercury or mercury compounds, often expressed as "total mercury", emitted from a point source.
3. A Party with relevant sources shall take measures to control emissions and may prepare a national plan setting out the measures to be taken to control emissions and its expected targets, goals and outcomes. Any plan shall be submitted to the Conference of the Parties within four years of the date of entry into force of the Convention for that Party. If a Party develops an implementation plan in accordance with Article 20, the Party may include in it the plan prepared pursuant to this paragraph.
4. For its new sources, each Party shall require the use of best available techniques and best environmental practices to control and, where feasible, reduce emissions, as soon as practicable but no later than five years after the date of entry into force of the Convention for that Party. A Party may use emission limit values that are consistent with the application of best available techniques.
5. For its existing sources, each Party shall include in any national plan, and shall implement, one or more of the following measures, taking into account its national circumstances, and the economic and technical feasibility and affordability of the measures, as soon as practicable but no more than ten years after the date of entry into force of the Convention for it:
(a) A quantified goal for controlling and, where feasible, reducing emissions from relevant sources;
(b) Emission limit values for controlling and, where feasible, reducing emissions from relevant sources;
(c) The use of best available techniques and best environmental practices to control emissions from relevant sources;
(d) A multi-pollutant control strategy that would deliver co-benefits for control of mercury emissions;
(e) Alternative measures to reduce emissions from relevant sources.
6. Parties may apply the same measures to all relevant existing sources or may adopt different measures in respect of different source categories. The objective shall be for those measures applied by a Party to achieve reasonable progress in reducing emissions over time.
7. Each Party shall establish, as soon as practicable and no later than five years after the date of entry into force of the Convention for it, and maintain thereafter, an inventory of emissions from relevant sources.
8. The Conference of the Parties shall, at its first meeting, adopt guidance on:
(a) Best available techniques and on best environmental practices, taking into account any difference between new and existing sources and the need to minimize crossmedia effects; and
(b) Support for Parties in implementing the measures set out in paragraph 5, in particular in determining goals and in setting emission limit values.
9. The Conference of the Parties shall, as soon as practicable, adopt guidance on:
(a) Criteria that Parties may develop pursuant to paragraph 2 (b);
(b) The methodology for preparing inventories of emissions.
10. The Conference of the Parties shall keep under review, and update as appropriate, the guidance developed pursuant to paragraphs 8 and 9. Parties shall take the guidance into account in implementing the relevant provisions of this Article.
11. Each Party shall include information on its implementation of this Article in its reports submitted pursuant to Article 21, in particular information concerning the measures it has taken in accordance with paragraphs 4 to 7 and the effectiveness of the measures.
1. This Article concerns controlling and, where feasible, reducing releases of mercury and mercury compounds, often expressed as "total mercury", to land and water from the relevant point sources not addressed in other provisions of this Convention.
2. For the purposes of this Article:
(a) "Releases" means releases of mercury or mercury compounds to land or water;
(b) "Relevant source" means any significant anthropogenic point source of release as identified by a Party that is not addressed in other provisions of this Convention;
(c) "New source" means any relevant source, the construction or substantial modification of which is commenced at least one year after the date of entry into force of this Convention for the Party concerned;
(d) "Substantial modification" means modification of a relevant source that results in a significant increase in releases, excluding any change in releases resulting from by-product recovery. It shall be a matter for the Party to decide whether a modification is substantial or not;
(e) "Existing source" means any relevant source that is not a new source;
(f) "Release limit value" means a limit on the concentration or mass of mercury or mercury compounds, often expressed as "total mercury", released from a point source.
3. Each Party shall, no later than three years after the date of entry into force of the Convention for it and on a regular basis thereafter, identify the relevant point source categories.
4. A Party with relevant sources shall take measures to control releases and may prepare a national plan setting out the measures to be taken to control releases and its expected targets, goals and outcomes. Any plan shall be submitted to the Conference of the Parties within four years of the date of entry into force of the Convention for that Party. If a Party develops an implementation plan in accordance with Article 20, the Party may include in it the plan prepared pursuant to this paragraph.
5. The measures shall include one or more of the following, as appropriate:
(a) Release limit values to control and, where feasible, reduce releases from relevant sources;
(b) The use of best available techniques and best environmental practices to control releases from relevant sources;
(c) A multi-pollutant control strategy that would deliver co-benefits for control of mercury releases;
(d) Alternative measures to reduce releases from relevant sources.
6. Each Party shall establish, as soon as practicable and no later than five years after the date of entry into force of the Convention for it, and maintain thereafter, an inventory of releases from relevant sources.
7. The Conference of the Parties shall, as soon as practicable, adopt guidance on:
(a) Best available techniques and on best environmental practices, taking into account any difference between new and existing sources and the need to minimize crossmedia effects;
(b) The methodology for preparing inventories of releases.
8. Each Party shall include information on its implementation of this Article in its reports submitted pursuant to Article 21, in particular information concerning the measures it has taken in accordance with paragraphs 3 to 6 and the effectiveness of the measures.
Environmentally sound interim storage of mercury, other than waste mercury
1. This Article shall apply to the interim storage of mercury and mercury compounds as defined in Article 3 that do not fall within the meaning of the definition of mercury wastes set out in Article 11.
2. Each Party shall take measures to ensure that the interim storage of such mercury and mercury compounds intended for a use allowed to a Party under this Convention is undertaken in an environmentally sound manner, taking into account any guidelines, and in accordance with any requirements, adopted pursuant to paragraph 3.
3. The Conference of the Parties shall adopt guidelines on the environmentally sound interim storage of such mercury and mercury compounds, taking into account any relevant guidelines developed under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and other relevant guidance. The Conference of the Parties may adopt requirements for interim storage in an additional annex to this Convention in accordance with Article 27.
4. Parties shall cooperate, as appropriate, with each other and with relevant intergovernmental organizations and other entities, to enhance capacity-building for the environmentally sound interim storage of such mercury and mercury compounds.
1. The relevant definitions of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal shall apply to wastes covered under this Convention for Parties to the Basel Convention. Parties to this Convention that are not Parties to the Basel Convention shall use those definitions as guidance as applied to wastes covered under this Convention.
2. For the purposes of this Convention, mercury wastes means substances or objects:
(a) Consisting of mercury or mercury compounds;
(b) Containing mercury or mercury compounds; or
(c) Contaminated with mercury or mercury compounds,
in a quantity above the relevant thresholds defined by the Conference of the Parties, in collaboration with the relevant bodies of the Basel Convention in a harmonized manner, that are disposed of or are intended to be disposed of or are required to be disposed of by the provisions of national law or this Convention. This definition excludes overburden, waste rock and tailings from mining, except from primary mercury mining, unless they contain mercury or mercury compounds above thresholds defined by the Conference of the Parties.
3. Each Party shall take appropriate measures so that mercury waste is:
(a) Managed in an environmentally sound manner, taking into account the guidelines developed under the Basel Convention and in accordance with requirements that the Conference of the Parties shall adopt in an additional annex in accordance with Article 27. In developing requirements, the Conference of the Parties shall take into account Parties' waste management regulations and programmes;
(b) Only recovered, recycled, reclaimed or directly re-used for a use allowed to a Party under this Convention or for environmentally sound disposal pursuant to paragraph 3 (a);
(c) For Parties to the Basel Convention, not transported across international boundaries except for the purpose of environmentally sound disposal in conformity with this Article and with that Convention. In circumstances where the Basel Convention does not apply to transport across international boundaries, a Party shall allow such transport only after taking into account relevant international rules, standards, and guidelines.
4. The Conference of the Parties shall seek to cooperate closely with the relevant bodies of the Basel Convention in the review and update, as appropriate, of the guidelines referred to in paragraph 3 (a).
5. Parties are encouraged to cooperate with each other and with relevant intergovernmental organizations and other entities, as appropriate, to develop and maintain global, regional and national capacity for the management of mercury wastes in an environmentally sound manner.
1. Each Party shall endeavour to develop appropriate strategies for identifying and assessing sites contaminated by mercury or mercury compounds.
2. Any actions to reduce the risks posed by such sites shall be performed in an environmentally sound manner incorporating, where appropriate, an assessment of the risks to human health and the environment from the mercury or mercury compounds they contain.
3. The Conference of the Parties shall adopt guidance on managing contaminated sites that may include methods and approaches for:
(a) Site identification and characterization;
(b) Engaging the public;
(c) Human health and environmental risk assessments;
(d) Options for managing the risks posed by contaminated sites;
(e) Evaluation of benefits and costs; and
(f) Validation of outcomes.
4. Parties are encouraged to cooperate in developing strategies and implementing activities for identifying, assessing, prioritizing, managing and, as appropriate, remediating contaminated sites.
Financial resources and mechanism
1. Each Party undertakes to provide, within its capabilities, resources in respect of those national activities that are intended to implement this Convention, in accordance with its national policies, priorities, plans and programmes. Such resources may include domestic funding through relevant policies, development strategies and national budgets, and bilateral and multilateral funding, as well as private sector involvement.
2. The overall effectiveness of implementation of this Convention by developing country Parties will be related to the effective implementation of this Article.
3. Multilateral, regional and bilateral sources of financial and technical assistance, as well as capacity-building and technology transfer, are encouraged, on an urgent basis, to enhance and increase their activities on mercury in support of developing country Parties in the implementation of this Convention relating to financial resources, technical assistance and technology transfer.
4. The Parties, in their actions with regard to funding, shall take full account of the specific needs and special circumstances of Parties that are small island developing States or least developed countries.
5. A Mechanism for the provision of adequate, predictable, and timely financial resources is hereby defined. The Mechanism is to support developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition in implementing their obligations under this Convention.
6. The Mechanism shall include:
(a) The Global Environment Facility Trust Fund; and
(b) A specific international Programme to support capacity-building and technical assistance.
7. The Global Environment Facility Trust Fund shall provide new, predictable, adequate and timely financial resources to meet costs in support of implementation of this Convention as agreed by the Conference of the Parties. For the purposes of this Convention, the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund shall be operated under the guidance of and be accountable to the Conference of the Parties. The Conference of the Parties shall provide guidance on overall strategies, policies, programme priorities and eligibility for access to and utilization of financial resources. In addition, the Conference of the Parties shall provide guidance on an indicative list of categories of activities that could receive support from the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund. The Global Environment Facility Trust Fund shall provide resources to meet the agreed incremental costs of global environmental benefits and the agreed full costs of some enabling activities.
8. In providing resources for an activity, the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund should take into account the potential mercury reductions of a proposed activity relative to its costs.
9. For the purposes of this Convention, the Programme referred to in paragraph 6 (b) will be operated under the guidance of and be accountable to the Conference of the Parties. The Conference of the Parties shall, at its first meeting, decide on the hosting institution for the Programme, which shall be an existing entity, and provide guidance to it, including on its duration. All Parties and other relevant stakeholders are invited to provide financial resources to the Programme, on a voluntary basis.
10. The Conference of the Parties and the entities comprising the Mechanism shall agree upon, at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties, arrangements to give effect to the above paragraphs.
11. The Conference of the Parties shall review, no later than at its third meeting, and thereafter on a regular basis, the level of funding, the guidance provided by the Conference of the Parties to the entities entrusted to operationalize the Mechanism established under this Article and their effectiveness, and their ability to address the changing needs of developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition. It shall, based on such review, take appropriate action to improve the effectiveness of the Mechanism.
12. All Parties, within their capabilities, are invited to contribute to the Mechanism. The Mechanism shall encourage the provision of resources from other sources, including the private sector, and shall seek to leverage such resources for the activities it supports.
Capacity-building, technical assistance and technology transfer
1. Parties shall cooperate to provide, within their respective capabilities, timely and appropriate capacity-building and technical assistance to developing country Parties, in particular Parties that are least developed countries or small island developing States, and Parties with economies in transition, to assist them in implementing their obligations under this Convention.
2. Capacity-building and technical assistance pursuant to paragraph 1 and Article 13 may be delivered through regional, subregional and national arrangements, including existing regional and subregional centres, through other multilateral and bilateral means, and through partnerships, including partnerships involving the private sector. Cooperation and coordination with other multilateral environmental agreements in the field of chemicals and wastes should be sought to increase the effectiveness of technical assistance and its delivery.
3. Developed country Parties and other Parties within their capabilities shall promote and facilitate, supported by the private sector and other relevant stakeholders as appropriate, development, transfer and diffusion of, and access to, up-to-date environmentally sound alternative technologies to developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, and Parties with economies in transition, to strengthen their capacity to effectively implement this Convention.
4. The Conference of the Parties shall, by its second meeting and thereafter on a regular basis, and taking into account submissions and reports from Parties including those as provided for in Article 21 and information provided by other stakeholders:
(a) Consider information on existing initiatives and progress made in relation to alternative technologies;
(b) Consider the needs of Parties, particularly developing country Parties, for alternative technologies; and
(c) Identify challenges experienced by Parties, particularly developing country Parties, in technology transfer.
5. The Conference of the Parties shall make recommendations on how capacitybuilding, technical assistance and technology transfer could be further enhanced under this Article.
Implementation and Compliance Committee
1. A mechanism, including a Committee as a subsidiary body of the Conference of the Parties, is hereby established to promote implementation of, and review compliance with, all provisions of this Convention. The mechanism, including the Committee, shall be facilitative in nature and shall pay particular attention to the respective national capabilities and circumstances of Parties.
2. The Committee shall promote implementation of, and review compliance with, all provisions of this Convention. The Committee shall examine both individual and systemic issues of implementation and compliance and make recommendations, as appropriate, to the Conference of the Parties.
3. The Committee shall consist of 15 members, nominated by Parties and elected by the Conference of the Parties, with due consideration to equitable geographical representation based on the five regions of the United Nations; the first members shall be elected at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties and thereafter in accordance with the rules of procedure approved by the Conference of the Parties pursuant to paragraph 5; the members of the Committee shall have competence in a field relevant to this Convention and reflect an appropriate balance of expertise.
4. The Committee may consider issues on the basis of:
(a) Written submissions from any Party with respect to its own compliance;
(b) National reports in accordance with Article 21; and
(c) Requests from the Conference of the Parties.
5. The Committee shall elaborate its rules of procedure, which shall be subject to approval by the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties; the Conference of the Parties may adopt further terms of reference for the Committee.
6. The Committee shall make every effort to adopt its recommendations by consensus. If all efforts at consensus have been exhausted and no consensus is reached, such recommendations shall as a last resort be adopted by a threefourths majority vote of the members present and voting, based on a quorum of two-thirds of the members.
1. Parties are encouraged to:
(a) Promote the development and implementation of strategies and programmes to identify and protect populations at risk, particularly vulnerable populations, and which may include adopting science-based health guidelines relating to the exposure to mercury and mercury compounds, setting targets for mercury exposure reduction, where appropriate, and public education, with the participation of public health and other involved sectors;
(b) Promote the development and implementation of science-based educational and preventive programmes on occupational exposure to mercury and mercury compounds;
(c) Promote appropriate health-care services for prevention, treatment and care for populations affected by the exposure to mercury or mercury compounds; and
(d) Establish and strengthen, as appropriate, the institutional and health professional capacities for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of health risks related to the exposure to mercury and mercury compounds.
2. The Conference of the Parties, in considering health-related issues or activities, should:
(a) Consult and collaborate with the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization and other relevant intergovernmental organizations, as appropriate; and
(b) Promote cooperation and exchange of information with the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization and other relevant intergovernmental organizations, as appropriate.
1. Each Party shall facilitate the exchange of:
(a) Scientific, technical, economic and legal information concerning mercury and mercury compounds, including toxicological, ecotoxicological and safety information;
(b) Information on the reduction or elimination of the production, use, trade, emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds;
(c) Information on technically and economically viable alternatives to:
(i) Mercury-added products;
(ii) Manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used; and
(iii) Activities and processes that emit or release mercury or mercury compounds;
including information on the health and environmental risks and economic and social costs and benefits of such alternatives; and
(d) Epidemiological information concerning health impacts associated with exposure to mercury and mercury compounds, in close cooperation with the World Health Organization and other relevant organizations, as appropriate.
2. Parties may exchange the information referred to in paragraph 1 directly, through the Secretariat, or in cooperation with other relevant organizations, including the secretariats of chemicals and wastes conventions, as appropriate.
3. The Secretariat shall facilitate cooperation in the exchange of information referred to in this Article, as well as with relevant organizations, including the secretariats of multilateral environmental agreements and other international initiatives. In addition to information from Parties, this information shall include information from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations with expertise in the area of mercury, and from national and international institutions with such expertise.
4. Each Party shall designate a national focal point for the exchange of information under this Convention, including with regard to the consent of importing Parties under Article 3.
5. For the purposes of this Convention, information on the health and safety of humans and the environment shall not be regarded as confidential. Parties that exchange other information pursuant to this Convention shall protect any confidential information as mutually agreed.
Public information, awareness and education
1. Each Party shall, within its capabilities, promote and facilitate:
(a) Provision to the public of available information on:
(i) The health and environmental effects of mercury and mercury compounds;
(ii) Alternatives to mercury and mercury compounds;
(iii) The topics identified in paragraph 1 of Article 17;
(iv) The results of its research, development and monitoring activities under Article 19; and
(v) Activities to meet its obligations under this Convention;
(b) Education, training and public awareness related to the effects of exposure to mercury and mercury compounds on human health and the environment in collaboration with relevant intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and vulnerable populations, as appropriate.
2. Each Party shall use existing mechanisms or give consideration to the development of mechanisms, such as pollutant release and transfer registers where applicable, for the collection and dissemination of information on estimates of its annual quantities of mercury and mercury compounds that are emitted, released or disposed of through human activities.
Research, development and monitoring
1. Parties shall endeavour to cooperate to develop and improve, taking into account their respective circumstances and capabilities:
(a) Inventories of use, consumption, and anthropogenic emissions to air and releases to water and land of mercury and mercury compounds;
(b) Modelling and geographically representative monitoring of levels of mercury and mercury compounds in vulnerable populations and in environmental media, including biotic media such as fish, marine mammals, sea turtles and birds, as well as collaboration in the collection and exchange of relevant and appropriate samples;
(c) Assessments of the impact of mercury and mercury compounds on human health and the environment, in addition to social, economic and cultural impacts, particularly in respect of vulnerable populations;
(d) Harmonized methodologies for the activities undertaken under subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c);
(e) Information on the environmental cycle, transport (including long-range transport and deposition), transformation and fate of mercury and mercury compounds in a range of ecosystems, taking appropriate account of the distinction between anthropogenic and natural emissions and releases of mercury and of remobilization of mercury from historic deposition;
(f) Information on commerce and trade in mercury and mercury compounds and mercuryadded products; and
(g) Information and research on the technical and economic availability of mercury-free products and processes and on best available techniques and best environmental practices to reduce and monitor emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.
2. Parties should, where appropriate, build on existing monitoring networks and research programmes in undertaking the activities identified in paragraph 1.
1. Each Party may, following an initial assessment, develop and execute an implementation plan, taking into account its domestic circumstances, for meeting the obligations under this Convention. Any such plan should be transmitted to the Secretariat as soon as it has been developed.
2. Each Party may review and update its implementation plan, taking into account its domestic circumstances and referring to guidance from the Conference of the Parties and other relevant guidance.
3. Parties should, in undertaking work in paragraphs 1 and 2, consult national stakeholders to facilitate the development, implementation, review and updating of their implementation plans.
4. Parties may also coordinate on regional plans to facilitate implementation of this Convention.
1. Each Party shall report to the Conference of the Parties, through the Secretariat, on the measures it has taken to implement the provisions of this Convention and on the effectiveness of such measures and the possible challenges in meeting the objectives of the Convention.
2. Each Party shall include in its reporting the information as called for in Articles 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9 of this Convention.
3. The Conference of the Parties shall, at its first meeting, decide upon the timing and format of the reporting to be followed by the Parties, taking into account the desirability of coordinating reporting with other relevant chemicals and wastes conventions.
1. The Conference of the Parties shall evaluate the effectiveness of this Convention, beginning no later than six years after the date of entry into force of the Convention and periodically thereafter at intervals to be decided by it.
2. To facilitate the evaluation, the Conference of the Parties shall, at its first meeting, initiate the establishment of arrangements for providing itself with comparable monitoring data on the presence and movement of mercury and mercury compounds in the environment as well as trends in levels of mercury and mercury compounds observed in biotic media and vulnerable populations.
3. The evaluation shall be conducted on the basis of available scientific, environmental, technical, financial and economic information, including:
(a) Reports and other monitoring information provided to the Conference of the Parties pursuant to paragraph 2;
(b) Reports submitted pursuant to Article 21;
(c) Information and recommendations provided pursuant to Article 15; and
(d) Reports and other relevant information on the operation of the financial assistance, technology transfer and capacity-building arrangements put in place under this Convention.
Conference of the Parties
1. A Conference of the Parties is hereby established.
2. The first meeting of the Conference of the Parties shall be convened by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme no later than one year after the date of entry into force of this Convention. Thereafter, ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties shall be held at regular intervals to be decided by the Conference.
3. Extraordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties shall be held at such other times as may be deemed necessary by the Conference, or at the written request of any Party, provided that, within six months of the request being communicated to the Parties by the Secretariat, it is supported by at least one third of the Parties.
4. The Conference of the Parties shall by consensus agree upon and adopt at its first meeting rules of procedure and financial rules for itself and any of its subsidiary bodies, as well as financial provisions governing the functioning of the Secretariat.
5. The Conference of the Parties shall keep under continuous review and evaluation the implementation of this Convention. It shall perform the functions assigned to it by this Convention and, to that end, shall:
(a) Establish such subsidiary bodies as it considers necessary for the implementation of this Convention;
(b) Cooperate, where appropriate, with competent international organizations and intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies;
(c) Regularly review all information made available to it and to the Secretariat pursuant to Article 21;
(d) Consider any recommendations submitted to it by the Implementation and Compliance Committee;
(e) Consider and undertake any additional action that may be required for the achievement of the objectives of this Convention; and
(f) Review Annexes A and B pursuant to Article 4 and Article 5.
6. The United Nations, its specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as any State not a Party to this Convention, may be represented at meetings of the Conference of the Parties as observers. Any body or agency, whether national or international, governmental or nongovernmental, that is qualified in matters covered by this Convention and has informed the Secretariat of its wish to be represented at a meeting of the Conference of the Parties as an observer may be admitted unless at least one third of the Parties present object. The admission and participation of observers shall be subject to the rules of procedure adopted by the Conference of the Parties.
1. A Secretariat is hereby established.
2. The functions of the Secretariat shall be:
(a) To make arrangements for meetings of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies and to provide them with services as required;
(b) To facilitate assistance to Parties, particularly developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition, on request, in the implementation of this Convention;
(c) To coordinate, as appropriate, with the secretariats of relevant international bodies, particularly other chemicals and waste conventions;
(d) To assist Parties in the exchange of information related to the implementation of this Convention;
(e) To prepare and make available to the Parties periodic reports based on information received pursuant to Articles 15 and 21 and other available information;
(f) To enter, under the overall guidance of the Conference of the Parties, into such administrative and contractual arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of its functions; and
(g) To perform the other secretariat functions specified in this Convention and such other functions as may be determined by the Conference of the Parties.
3. The secretariat functions for this Convention shall be performed by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, unless the Conference of the Parties decides, by a threefourths majority of the Parties present and voting, to entrust the secretariat functions to one or more other international organizations.
4. The Conference of the Parties, in consultation with appropriate international bodies, may provide for enhanced cooperation and coordination between the Secretariat and the secretariats of other chemicals and wastes conventions. The Conference of the Parties, in consultation with appropriate international bodies, may provide further guidance on this matter.
1. Parties shall seek to settle any dispute between them concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention through negotiation or other peaceful means of their own choice.
2. When ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Convention, or at any time thereafter, a Party that is not a regional economic integration organization may declare in a written instrument submitted to the Depositary that, with regard to any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention, it recognizes one or both of the following means of dispute settlement as compulsory in relation to any Party accepting the same obligation:
(a) Arbitration in accordance with the procedure set out in Part I of Annex E;
(b) Submission of the dispute to the International Court of Justice.
3. A Party that is a regional economic integration organization may make a declaration with like effect in relation to arbitration in accordance with paragraph 2.
4. A declaration made pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3 shall remain in force until it expires in accordance with its terms or until three months after written notice of its revocation has been deposited with the Depositary.
5. The expiry of a declaration, a notice of revocation or a new declaration shall in no way affect proceedings pending before an arbitral tribunal or the International Court of Justice, unless the parties to the dispute otherwise agree.
6. If the parties to a dispute have not accepted the same means of dispute settlement pursuant to paragraph 2 or 3, and if they have not been able to settle their dispute through the means mentioned in paragraph 1 within twelve months following notification by one Party to another that a dispute exists between them, the dispute shall be submitted to a conciliation commission at the request of any party to the dispute. The procedure set out in Part II of Annex E shall apply to conciliation under this Article.
Amendments to the Convention
1. Amendments to this Convention may be proposed by any Party.
2. Amendments to this Convention shall be adopted at a meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The text of any proposed amendment shall be communicated to the Parties by the Secretariat at least six months before the meeting at which it is proposed for adoption. The Secretariat shall also communicate the proposed amendment to the signatories to this Convention and, for information, to the Depositary.
3. The Parties shall make every effort to reach agreement on any proposed amendment to this Convention by consensus. If all efforts at consensus have been exhausted, and no agreement reached, the amendment shall as a last resort be adopted by a three-fourths majority vote of the Parties present and voting at the meeting.
4. An adopted amendment shall be communicated by the Depositary to all Parties for ratification, acceptance or approval.
5. Ratification, acceptance or approval of an amendment shall be notified to the Depositary in writing. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 3 shall enter into force for the Parties having consented to be bound by it on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval by at least three-fourths of the Parties that were Parties at the time at which the amendment was adopted. Thereafter, the amendment shall enter into force for any other Party on the ninetieth day after the date on which that Party deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of the amendment.
Adoption and amendment of annexes
1. Annexes to this Convention shall 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.
2. Any additional annexes adopted after the entry into force of this Convention shall be restricted to procedural, scientific, technical or administrative matters.
3. The following procedure shall apply to the proposal, adoption and entry into force of additional annexes to this Convention:
(a) Additional annexes shall be proposed and adopted according to the procedure laid down in paragraphs 1–3 of Article 26;
(b) Any Party that is unable to accept an additional annex shall so notify the Depositary, in writing, within one year from the date of communication by the Depositary of the adoption of such annex. The Depositary shall without delay notify all Parties of any such notification received. A Party may at any time notify the Depositary, in writing, that it withdraws a previous notification of nonacceptance in respect of an additional annex, and the annex shall thereupon enter into force for that Party subject to subparagraph (c); and
(c) On the expiry of one year from the date of the communication by the Depositary of the adoption of an additional annex, the annex shall enter into force for all Parties that have not submitted a notification of non-acceptance in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (b).
4. The proposal, adoption and entry into force of amendments to annexes to this Convention shall be subject to the same procedures as for the proposal, adoption and entry into force of additional annexes to the Convention, except that an amendment to an annex shall not enter into force with regard to any Party that has made a declaration with regard to amendment of annexes in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 30, in which case any such amendment shall enter into force for such a Party on the ninetieth day after the date it has deposited with the Depositary its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with respect to such amendment.
5. If an additional annex or an amendment to an annex is related to an amendment to this Convention, the additional annex or amendment shall not enter into force until such time as the amendment to the Convention enters into force.
1. Each Party to this Convention shall have one vote, except as provided for in paragraph 2.
2. A regional economic integration organization, on matters within its competence, shall exercise its right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of its member States that are Parties to this Convention. Such an organization shall not exercise its right to vote if any of its member States exercises its right to vote, and vice versa.
This Convention shall be opened for signature at Kumamoto, Japan, by all States and regional economic integration organizations on 10 and 11 October 2013, and thereafter at the United Nations Headquarters in New York until 9 October 2014.
Ratification, acceptance, approval or accession
1. This Convention shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by States and by regional economic integration organizations. It shall be open for accession by States and by regional economic integration organizations from the day after the date on which the Convention is closed for signature. Instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be deposited with the Depositary.
2. Any regional economic integration organization that becomes a Party to this Convention without any of its member States being a Party shall be bound by all the obligations under the Convention. In the case of such organizations, one or more of whose member States is a Party to this Convention, the organization and its member States shall decide on their respective responsibilities for the performance of their obligations under the Convention. In such cases, the organization and the member States shall not be entitled to exercise rights under the Convention concurrently.
3. In its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, a regional economic integration organization shall declare the extent of its competence in respect of the matters governed by this Convention. Any such organization shall also inform the Depositary, who shall in turn inform the Parties, of any relevant modification of the extent of its competence.
4. Each State or regional economic integration organization is encouraged to transmit to the Secretariat at the time of its ratification, acceptance, approval or accession of the Convention information on its measures to implement the Convention.
5. In its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, any Party may declare that, with regard to it, any amendment to an annex shall enter into force only upon the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with respect thereto.
1. This Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
2. For each State or regional economic integration organization that ratifies, accepts or approves this Convention or accedes thereto after the deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit by such State or regional economic integration organization of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
3. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, any instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organization shall not be counted as additional to those deposited by member States of that organization.
No reservations may be made to this Convention.
1. At any time after three years from the date on which this Convention has entered into force for a Party, that Party may withdraw from the Convention by giving written notification to the Depositary.
2. Any such withdrawal shall take effect upon expiry of one year from the date of receipt by the Depositary of the notification of withdrawal, or on such later date as may be specified in the notification of withdrawal.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall be the Depositary of this Convention.
The original of this Convention, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Depositary.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized to that effect, have signed this Convention.
Done at Kumamoto, Japan, on this tenth day of October, two thousand and thirteen.
KONVENCIJA MINAMATA O ŽIVEM SREBRU
Pogodbenice te konvencije so se
ob priznavanju, da je živo srebro kemikalija, ki vzbuja zaskrbljenost po vsem svetu, ker se prenaša po zraku na dolge razdalje, ker po antropogenem vnosu dolgo ostaja v okolju, ker je sposoben biološkega kopičenja v ekosistemih in ker ima pomembne negativne učinke na človekovo zdravje in okolje,
ob sklicevanju na sklep upravnega odbora Programa Združenih narodov za okolje 25/5 z dne 20. februarja 2009 o sprožitvi mednarodne akcije za uspešno, učinkovito in usklajeno ravnanje z živim srebrom,
ob sklicevanju na 221. odstavek končnega dokumenta konference Združenih narodov o trajnostnem razvoju „Prihodnost, ki jo hočemo“, ki poziva k uspešnemu zaključku pogajanj o svetovno zavezujočem instrumentu o živem srebru za odpravo tveganja, ki ga ta pomeni za človekovo zdravje in okolje,
ob sklicevanju na načela izjave iz Ria o okolju in razvoju, ki jih je ponovno potrdila konferenca Združenih narodov o trajnostnem razvoju, ki zajemajo, med drugim, skupne, vendar različne odgovornosti, in ob priznavanju posebnih okoliščin in sposobnosti posameznih držav ter nujnosti svetovnega delovanja,
se zavedajo zdravstvenih težav, zlasti v državah v razvoju, ki so posledica izpostavljenosti ranljivih skupin prebivalstva živemu srebru, zlasti žensk in otrok ter prek njih prihodnjih generacij,
se zavedajo ranljivosti arktičnih ekosistemov in domorodnih skupnosti zaradi biomagnifikacije živega srebra in kontaminacije tradicionalne hrane ter so zlasti zaskrbljene glede stanja domorodnih skupnosti zaradi učinkov živega srebra,
ob priznavanju temeljnih opominov minamatske bolezni, zlasti resnih učinkov na zdravje in okolje, ki so posledica onesnaženja z živim srebrom, in nujnosti, da se zagotovi ustrezno ravnanje z živim srebrom in preprečijo taki dogodki v prihodnosti,
poudarjajo pomen finančne, tehnične in tehnološke podpore in usposabljanja, zlasti za dežele v razvoju in dežele z gospodarstvom v prehodu, da se okrepi usposobljenost držav za ravnanje z živim srebrom in spodbudi učinkovito izvajanje konvencije,
ob priznavanju tudi dejavnosti Svetovne zdravstvene organizacije pri varovanju človekovega zdravja v zvezi z živim srebrom in vlogo upoštevnih večstranskih okoljskih sporazumov, zlasti Baselske konvencije o nadzoru prehoda nevarnih odpadkov preko meja ter njihovega odstranjevanja in Rotterdamske konvencije o postopku soglasja po predhodnem obveščanju za določene nevarne kemikalije in pesticide v mednarodni trgovini,
se zavedajo, da se ta konvencija in drugi mednarodni sporazumi s področja trgovine in okolja medsebojno dopolnjujejo,
poudarjajo, da nič v tej konvenciji ne vpliva na pravice in obveznosti nobene od pogodbenic po katerem koli obstoječem mednarodnem sporazumu,
razumejo, da namen te uvodne izjave ni ustvarjanje hierarhije med to konvencijo in drugimi mednarodnimi instrumenti,
sprejemajo v vednost, da nič v tej konvenciji ne preprečuje, da bi pogodbenica sprejela dodatne domače ukrepe, skladne z določbami te konvencije, v prizadevanju za varovanje človekovega zdravja in okolja pred izpostavljenostjo živemu srebru v skladu z drugimi mednarodnopravnimi obveznostmi te pogodbenice,
dogovorile:
1. člen
Cilj te konvencije je varovanje človekovega zdravja in okolja pred antropogenimi izpusti živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin v zrak, zemljo ali vodo.
2. člen
Za namene te konvencije:
(a) „obrtniško kopanje zlata in kopanje zlata v majhnem obsegu“ pomeni kopanje zlata, ki ga opravljajo posamezniki ali mala podjetja z omejenimi kapitalskimi naložbami in proizvodnjo;
(b) „najboljše razpoložljive tehnike“ pomeni tehnike, ki so najučinkovitejše pri preprečevanju, in če to ni mogoče, zmanjševanju izpustov živega srebra v zrak, vodo ali zemljo in vpliva teh izpustov na celotno okolje, ob upoštevanju gospodarskih in tehničnih pogojev posamezne pogodbenice ali posameznega obrata na ozemlju te pogodbenice. V tem okviru:
(i) „najboljše“ pomeni najučinkovitejše pri doseganju visokega splošnega varstva okolja kot celote;
(ii) „razpoložljive“ tehnike pomeni za posamezno pogodbenico in za posamezni obrat na ozemlju te pogodbenice tiste tehnike, ki so razvite v obsegu, ki omogoča uporabo v ustreznem industrijskem sektorju pod gospodarsko in tehnično sprejemljivimi pogoji ob upoštevanju stroškov in koristi, ne glede na to, ali se te tehnike uporabljajo ali so razvite na ozemlju te pogodbenice, če so dostopne upravljavcu obrata, kakor ga določi ta pogodbenica, in
(iii) „tehnike“ pomeni uporabljeno tehnologijo, operativno prakso in način projektiranja, gradnje, vzdrževanja, delovanja in razgradnje obratov;
(c) „najboljše okoljske prakse“ pomeni uporabo najustreznejše kombinacije okoljskih ukrepov nadzora in strategij;
(d) „živo srebro“ pomeni elementarno živo srebro (Hg(0), CAS št. 7439-97-6);
(e) „živosrebrova spojina“ pomeni vsako snov, ki jo sestavljajo atomi živega srebra in eden ali več atomov drugih kemijskih elementov, ki jo je mogoče ločiti v posamezne sestavne dele samo s kemijsko reakcijo;
(f) „proizvod, ki vsebuje dodano živo srebro“ pomeni proizvod ali sestavino proizvoda, ki vsebuje namenoma dodano živo srebro ali živosrebrovo spojino;
(g) „pogodbenica“ pomeni državo ali organizacijo za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje, ki je privolila, da jo ta konvencija zavezuje in je zanjo veljavna;
(h) „pogodbenice, ki so navzoče in glasujejo“ pomeni pogodbenice, ki so na zasedanju pogodbenic navzoče in ki glasujejo za ali proti;
(i) „primarni izkop živega srebra“ pomeni izkop, pri katerem je glavna iskana snov živo srebro;
(j) „organizacija za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje“ pomeni organizacijo, ki so jo ustanovile suverene države določene regije in na katero so njene države članice prenesle pristojnost za zadeve, ki jih ureja ta konvencija, ter je v skladu s svojimi notranjimi postopki pravilno pooblaščena, da to konvencijo podpiše, ratificira, sprejme, odobri ali k njej pristopi in
(k) „dovoljena uporaba“ pomeni za pogodbenico uporabo živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin v skladu s to konvencijo, kar med drugim zajema uporabo v skladu z njenim 3., 4., 5., 6. in 7. členom.
3. člen
Viri živega srebra in trgovina
1. Za namene tega člena:
(a) izraz „živo srebro“ zajema zmesi živega srebra z drugimi snovmi, vključno z živosrebrovimi zlitinami z vsebnostjo mase živega srebra najmanj 95%, in
(b) „živosrebrova spojina“ pomeni živosrebrov (I) klorid (imenovan tudi kalomel), živosrebrov (II) oksid, živosrebrov (II) sulfat, živosrebrov (II) nitrat, cinober in živosrebrov sulfid.
2. Določbe tega člena se ne uporabljajo za:
(a) količine živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin, ki se uporabljajo pri laboratorijskem preskušanju ali kot referenčni standard, ali
(b) naravno prisotne sledi živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin v proizvodih, kakor so neživosrebrove kovine, rude ali mineralni proizvodi, vključno s premogom, ali proizvodi iz teh materialov, in sledi, ki so v kemičnih proizvodih nenamerno prisotne, ali
(c) proizvode, ki vsebujejo dodano živo srebro.
3. Pogodbenica ne dovoli primarnega izkopa živega srebra na svojem ozemlju, ki se ni že opravljal, ko je konvencija zanjo začela veljati.
4. Pogodbenica dovoli primarni izkop živega srebra, ki se je na njenem ozemlju že opravljal v času, ko je konvencija zanjo začela veljati, vendar samo za obdobje največ petnajst let po tem datumu. V tem obdobju se tako pridobljeno živo srebro uporablja izključno za proizvodnjo proizvodov z dodanim živim srebrom v skladu s 4. členom in v proizvodnih postopkih v skladu s 5. členom, ali pa se odstrani v skladu z 11. členom s postopki, s katerimi živega srebra ne bi ponovno predelali, reciklirali, pridobili ter neposredno ponovno ali kakor koli drugače uporabili.
5. Pogodbenica:
(a) naredi vse potrebno, da popiše zaloge živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin, ki presegajo 50 metričnih ton, in vire živega srebra, ki lahko ustvarijo zaloge več kakor 10 metričnih ton na leto, ki so na njenem ozemlju;
(b) če ugotovi, da pri razgradnji klor-alkalnih obratov nastaja odvečno živo srebro, sprejme ukrepe za odlaganje tega živega srebra v skladu s smernicami za okoljsko varno ravnanje iz točke (a) tretjega odstavka 11. člena z uporabo postopkov, s katerimi živega srebra ne bi ponovno predelali, reciklirali, pridobili ter neposredno ponovno ali kakor koli drugače uporabili.
6. Pogodbenica ne dovoli izvoza živega srebra, razen:
(a) v pogodbenico, ki je pogodbenici izvoznici dala pisno soglasje, in izključno za:
(i) uporabo, ki je za pogodbenico uvoznico dovoljena v skladu s to konvencijo; ali
(ii) okoljsko varno začasno skladiščenje v skladu z 10. členom; ali
(b) v nepogodbenico, ki je pogodbenici izvoznici dala pisno soglasje, ki zajema potrdilo, ki dokazuje:
(i) da je nepogodbenica sprejela ukrepe za zagotavljanje varovanja človekovega zdravja in okolja ter izpolnjuje zahteve iz določb 10. in 11. člena in
(ii) da bo živo srebro uporabljeno izključno za namen, ki je dovoljen pogodbenici te konvencije ali za okoljsko varno začasno skladiščenje iz 10. člena.
7. Pogodbenica izvoznica lahko kot pisno soglasje iz šestega odstavka sprejme splošno uradno obvestilo, ki ga sekretariatu pošlje pogodbenica ali nepogodbenica uvoznica. V tem splošnem uradnem obvestilu so navedeni pogoji, pod katerimi pogodbenica ali nepogodbenica uvoznica daje svoje soglasje. Pogodbenica ali nepogodbenica lahko to uradno obvestilo kadar koli prekliče. Sekretariat vodi javno evidenco vseh teh uradnih obvestil.
8. Pogodbenica ne dovoli uvoza živega srebra iz nepogodbenice, ki ji je dala svoje pisno soglasje, če ta nepogodbenica ne predloži potrdila, da živo srebro ni iz virov, ki v skladu s tretjim odstavkom ali točko (b) petega odstavka niso dovoljeni.
9. Pogodbenica, ki da splošno uradno obvestilo o soglasju v skladu s sedmim odstavkom, se lahko odloči, da ne uporabi osmega odstavka pod pogojem, da ohrani celovite omejitve za izvoz živega srebra in je sprejela notranje ukrepe za zagotovitev, da se z uvoženim živim srebrom ravna za okolje varno. Pogodbenica o tem sklepu uradno obvesti sekretariat, obvestilo pa zajema opis izvoznih omejitev in domačih predpisanih ukrepov, ter podatke o količinah in državah izvora živega srebra, ki ga uvaža iz nepogodbenic. Sekretariat vodi javno evidenco vseh teh uradnih obvestil. Odbor za izvajanje in spoštovanje obveznosti konvencije pregleda in ovrednoti ta uradna obvestila in priložene informacije v skladu s 15. členom in po potrebi pripravi priporočila za konferenco pogodbenic.
10. Postopek iz devetega odstavka je na voljo do zaključka drugega zasedanja konference pogodbenic. Če konferenca pogodbenic z navadno večino navzočih in glasujočih pogodbenic ne odloči drugače, po tem času ni več na voljo, razen za pogodbenico, ki je predložila uradno obvestilo v skladu z devetim odstavkom pred koncem drugega zasedanja konference pogodbenic.
11. Pogodbenica vključi v poročila, ki jih predloži v skladu z 21. členom, informacije o izpolnjevanju zahtev iz tega člena.
12. Konferenca pogodbenic na svojem prvem zasedanju pripravi dodatne usmeritve glede tega člena, zlasti glede točke (a) petega odstavka, šestega in osmega odstavka, ter oblikuje in sprejme obvezno vsebino potrdila iz točke (b) šestega odstavka in osmega odstavka.
13. Konferenca pogodbenic presodi, ali trgovina s posebnimi živosrebrovimi spojinami ogroža cilj te konvencije, in se odloči, ali bi za posebne živosrebrove spojine, ki so navedene v dodatni prilogi, sprejeti v skladu s 27. členom, morali veljati pogoji iz šestega in osmega odstavka.
4. člen
Proizvodi z dodanim živim srebrom
1. Vsaka pogodbenica sprejme ustrezne ukrepe, da prepreči proizvodnjo, uvoz ali izvoz proizvodov z dodanim živim srebrom iz I. dela priloge A po dnevu, določenem za opustitev teh proizvodov, razen če je v prilogi A navedena izjema ali je pogodbenica prijavila izjemo v skladu s 6. členom.
2. Kot drugo možnost lahko pogodbenica ob ratifikaciji ali ko zanjo začne veljati sprememba priloge A navede, da bo izvajala drugačne ukrepe ali strategije za ravnanje s proizvodi iz I. dela priloge A. Pogodbenica lahko uporabi to možnost samo, če lahko dokaže, da je že zmanjšala na najmanjšo raven proizvodnjo, uvoz in izvoz velike večine proizvodov iz I. dela priloge A in da je izvedla ukrepe ali strategije za zmanjšanje uporabe živega srebra v dodatnih proizvodih, ki niso navedeni v I. delu priloge A v času, ko sekretariat uradno obvesti o odločitvi, da bo uporabila to možnost. Poleg tega pogodbenica, ki izbere to možnost:
(a) ob prvi priložnosti sporoči konferenci pogodbenic opis izvedenih ukrepov ali strategij, vključno s količinskim ovrednotenjem doseženih zmanjšanj;
(b) izvede ukrepe ali strategije za zmanjšanje uporabe živega srebra v proizvodih iz I. dela priloge A, za katere še ni dosegla najnižje vrednosti;
(c) prouči dodatne ukrepe za doseganje nadaljnjih zmanjšanj in
(d) ni upravičena do izjem v skladu s 6. členom za nobeno od kategorij proizvodov, glede katerih se je odločila za drugo možnost.
Konferenca pogodbenic v okviru postopka pregleda iz osmega odstavka pregleda napredek in učinkovitost ukrepov, sprejetih v skladu s tem odstavkom, najpozneje pet let po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije.
3. Vsaka pogodbenica sprejme ukrepe za proizvode z dodanim živim srebrom, navedene v II. delu priloge A, v skladu z določbami te priloge.
4. Na podlagi informacij, ki jih predložijo pogodbenice, sekretariat zbira in hrani informacije o proizvodih z dodanim živim srebrom in njihovih nadomestkih ter omogoči njihovo javno dostopnost. Sekretariat prav tako omogoči javno dostopnost vseh drugih pomembnih informacij, ki jih predložijo pogodbenice.
5. Vsaka pogodbenica sprejme ukrepe, da prepreči vgraditev proizvodov z dodanim živim srebrom, katerih proizvodnja, uvoz ali izvoz niso dovoljeni po tem členu, v sestavljene proizvode.
6. Vsaka pogodbenica poizkuša preprečiti proizvodnjo in trgovinsko razširjanje proizvodov z dodanim živim srebrom, ki niso v skladu z nobeno rabo, ki je bila za te proizvode znana pred dnem, ko je konvencija zanjo začela veljati, razen če ocena tveganj in koristi proizvoda ne pokaže, da je koristen za okolje ali človekovo zdravje. Pogodbenica po potrebi zagotovi sekretariatu informacije o teh proizvodih, vključno z vsemi informacijami o tveganjih in koristih takega proizvoda za okolje in človekovo zdravje. Sekretariat omogoči, da je taka informacija na voljo javnosti.
7. Katera koli pogodbenica lahko predlaga sekretariatu vključitev proizvoda z dodanim živim srebrom v prilogo A; predlog mora zajemati informacijo o dostopnosti, tehnični in gospodarski izvedljivosti ter o tveganjih in koristih za okolje in zdravje nadomestkov brez dodanega živega srebra za ta proizvod ob upoštevanju informacij četrtega odstavka.
8. Konferenca pogodbenic pregleda prilogo A in lahko predlaga spremembe te priloge v skladu s 27. členom najpozneje pet let po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije.
9. Pri pregledu priloge A v skladu z osmim odstavkom mora konferenca pogodbenic upoštevati najmanj naslednje:
(a) vse predloge, predložene v skladu s sedmim odstavkom;
(b) informacije, dane v skladu s četrtim odstavkom, in
(c) v kolikšni meri so za pogodbenice dostopni nadomestne rešitve brez živega srebra, ki so tehnično in gospodarsko mogoči, ob upoštevanju tveganj in koristi za okolje in človekovo zdravje.
5. člen
Proizvodni postopki, v katerih se uporabljajo živo srebro ali živosrebrove spojine
1. Za namen tega člena in priloge B proizvodni postopki, v katerih se uporabljajo živo srebro ali živosrebrove spojine, ne zajemajo postopkov, v katerih se uporabljajo proizvodi z dodanim živim srebrom, postopkov za proizvodnjo proizvodov z dodanim živim srebrom ali postopkov za obdelavo odpadkov, ki vsebujejo živo srebro.
2. Vsaka pogodbenica sprejme ustrezne ukrepe, da prepreči uporabo živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin v proizvodnih postopkih iz I. dela priloge B po dnevu, v tej prilogi določenem za opustitev teh postopkov, razen če je pogodbenica prijavila izjemo v skladu s 6. členom.
3. Vsaka pogodbenica sprejme ukrepe za omejitev uporabe živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin v postopkih iz II. dela priloge B v skladu z določbami te priloge.
4. Na podlagi informacij, ki jih predložijo pogodbenice, sekretariat zbira in hrani informacije o postopkih, v katerih se uporabljajo živo srebro ali živosrebrove spojine in njihove nadomestne rešitve, ter zagotovi njihovo javno dostopnost. Pogodbenice lahko predložijo tudi druge pomembne podatke, za katere sekretariat zagotovi javno dostopnost.
5. Pogodbenica, ki ima enega ali več obratov, ki uporabljajo živo srebro ali živosrebrove spojine v proizvodnih postopkih iz priloge B:
(a) sprejme ukrepe za obvladovanje izpustov živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin iz teh obratov v zrak, zemljo ali vodo,
(b) vključi informacijo o ukrepih, ki jih je sprejela v skladu s tem odstavkom, v svoja poročila, ki jih pošlje v skladu z 21. členom, in
(c) naredi vse potrebno, da ugotovi, kateri obrati na njenem ozemlju uporabljajo živo srebro ali živosrebrove spojine v postopkih iz priloge B, in najpozneje tri leta po začetku veljavnosti Konvencije zanjo predloži sekretariatu informacijo o številu in vrsti teh obratov ter ocenjeni letni količini živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin, ki se uporabljajo v teh obratih. Sekretariat omogoči, da je taka informacija na voljo javnosti.
6. Pogodbenice ne dovolijo, da bi obrati, ki pred dnevom začetka veljavnosti te konvencije za tako pogodbenico niso obstajali, uporabljali živo srebro ali živosrebrove spojine v proizvodnih postopkih iz priloge B. Za te obrate izjeme niso mogoče.
7. Vsaka pogodbenica poizkuša preprečiti razvoj obratov, ki uporabljajo kakršen koli drug proizvodni postopek, v katerem se namerno uporabljajo živo srebro ali živosrebrove spojine, ki niso obstajali pred začetkom veljavnosti te konvencije, razen če lahko pogodbenica konferenci pogodbenic prepričljivo dokaže, da je postopek pomembno koristen za okolje in zdravje in da ni tehnično in gospodarsko izvedljivih nadomestnih rešitev, ki bi bile enako koristne.
8. Pogodbenice se spodbujajo, da izmenjujejo informacije o upoštevnih novih tehnoloških napredkih, gospodarsko in tehnično izvedljivih nadomestnih rešitvah brez živega srebra ter možnih ukrepih in tehnikah za zmanjšanje in, kadar je to mogoče, odpravo uporabe živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin pri proizvodnih postopkih iz Priloge B ter izpustov živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin iz navedenih proizvodnih postopkov v zrak, zemljo ali vodo.
9. Katera koli pogodbenica lahko predlaga spremembo priloge B z namenom vpisa proizvodnega postopka, v katerem se uporabljajo živo srebro ali živosrebrove spojine. Predlog mora vsebovati informacije o dostopnosti, tehnični in ekonomski izvedljivosti ter o tveganjih in koristih za okolje in zdravje nadomestnih rešitev brez dodanega živega srebra za ta postopek.
10. Konferenca pogodbenic pregleda prilogo B in lahko predlaga spremembe navedene priloge v skladu s 27. členom najpozneje pet let po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije.
11. Pri pregledu priloge B v skladu z desetim odstavkom mora konferenca pogodbenic upoštevati najmanj:
(a) vse predloge, predložene v skladu z devetim odstavkom;
(b) informacije, dane v skladu s četrtim odstavkom; in
(c) v kolikšni meri so za pogodbenice dostopne nadomestne rešitve brez živega srebra, ki so tehnično in gospodarsko izvedljive, ob upoštevanju tveganj in koristi za okolje in človekovo zdravje.
6. člen
Izjeme, ki so na voljo pogodbenicam na njihovo zahtevo
1. Vsaka država ali organizacija za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje lahko prijavi eno ali več izjem od dneva opustitve iz prilog A in B, v nadaljnjem besedilu „izjema“, s pisnim uradnim obvestilom sekretariatu:
(a) ko postane pogodbenica te konvencije ali
(b) če se s spremembo v prilogo A doda proizvod z dodanim živim srebrom ali v prilogo B kakršen koli proizvodni postopek, v katerem se uporablja živo srebro, najpozneje na dan, ko sprejeta sprememba začne veljati za to pogodbenico.
K vsaki taki prijavi mora biti priloženo pojasnilo, zakaj pogodbenica potrebuje izjemo.
2. Izjema se lahko evidentira za kategorijo iz priloge A ali B ali za podkategorijo, ki jo določi država ali organizacija za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje.
3. Vsaka pogodbenica z eno ali več izjemami se vpiše v register. Sekretariat vzpostavi in vzdržuje register ter omogoči, da je na voljo javnosti.
4. Register zajema:
(a) seznam pogodbenic, ki imajo eno ali več izjem;
(b) izjemo ali izjeme, ki so evidentirane za vsako pogodbenico, in
(c) dan prenehanja veljavnosti za vsako izjemo.
5. Če pogodbenica v registru ni navedla krajšega obdobja, veljavnost vseh izjem v skladu s prvim odstavkom preneha pet let po upoštevnem datumu opustitve iz priloge A ali B.
6. Na zahtevo pogodbenice lahko konferenca pogodbenic sklene podaljšati izjemo za nadaljnjih pet let, če pogodbenica ne zaprosi za krajše obdobje. Pri odločanju konferenca pogodbenic upošteva:
(a) poročilo pogodbenice, v katerem ta utemelji potrebo za podaljšanje izjeme in navede izvedene in načrtovane dejavnosti za odpravo potrebe po izjemi takoj, ko bo to mogoče;
(b) razpoložljive informacije, vključno glede razpoložljivosti nadomestnih proizvodov in postopkov brez živega srebra ali pri katerih se rabi manj živega srebra kakor pri uporabi, za katero velja izjema, in
(c) načrtovane ali izvajane dejavnosti za zagotavljanje okolju varnega skladiščenja živega srebra in odlaganja živosrebrovih odpadkov.
Izjema se lahko podaljša samo enkrat za vsak proizvod in za vsak določeni datum njegove opustitve.
7. Pogodbenica lahko kadar koli umakne izjemo s pisnim obvestilom sekretariatu. Umik izjeme začne veljati na dan, določen v obvestilu.
8. Ne glede na določbe prvega odstavka nobena država ali organizacija za regionalno povezovanje ne more prijaviti izjeme pet let po dnevu opustitve zadevnega proizvoda ali postopka, navedenega v prilogi A ali B, razen če ena ali več pogodbenic ostane evidentirana za izjemo za ta proizvod ali postopek, potem ko jim je bilo odobreno podaljšanje v skladu s šestim odstavkom. V takem primeru lahko država ali organizacija za regionalno povezovanje ob rokih, navedenih v točkah (a) in (b) prvega odstavka, prijavi izjemo za tak proizvod ali postopek, ki poteče deset let po upoštevnem dnevu opustitve.
9. Nobena pogodbenica ne more imeti veljavne izjeme po poteku desetih let od dneva za opustitev proizvoda ali postopka, navedenega v prilogi A ali B.
7. člen
Obrtniško kopanje zlata in kopanje zlata v majhnem obsegu
1. Ukrepi, navedeni v tem členu in prilogi C, se uporabljajo za obrtniško kopanje zlata in za kopanje zlata v majhnem obsegu ter za postopke, v katerih se za pridobivanje zlata iz rude uporablja amalgamacija z živim srebrom.
2. Vsaka pogodbenica, na ozemlju katere poteka obrtniško kopanje in pridobivanje zlata ter kopanje in pridobivanje zlata v majhnem obsegu po tem členu, sprejme ukrepe za zmanjšanje, in če je to izvedljivo, prenehanje uporabe živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojih pri takem kopanju in pridobivanju ter izpustov živega srebra v okolje pri tem pridobivanju in kopanju.
3. Vsaka pogodbenica, ki kadar koli ugotovi, da obseg obrtniškega kopanja in pridobivanja zlata ter kopanja in pridobivanja zlata v majhnem obsegu na njenem ozemlju ni zanemarljiv, o tem uradno obvesti sekretariat. V takem primeru pogodbenica:
(a) pripravi in izvede državni akcijski načrt v skladu s prilogo C;
(b) predloži svoj državni akcijski načrt sekretariatu najpozneje tri leta po začetku veljavnosti konvencije za to pogodbenico ali tri leta po uradnem obvestilu sekretariatu, kar je pač pozneje, in
(c) od takrat naprej vsaka tri leta pregleda napredek pri izpolnjevanju svojih obveznosti po tem členu in vključi izsledke teh pregledov v poročila, ki jih predloži v skladu z 21. členom.
4. Pogodbenice lahko sodelujejo med seboj in s pomembnimi medvladnimi organizacijami ter drugimi subjekti, kakor je primerno, za doseganje ciljev tega člena. Tako sodelovanje lahko zajema:
(a) oblikovanje strategij za preprečevanje preusmerjanja živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin za uporabo v obrtniškem kopanju in pridobivanju zlata ter kopanju in pridobivanju zlata v majhnem obsegu;
(b) pobude na področju izobraževanja, ozaveščanja in krepitve usposobljenosti;
(c) spodbujanje raziskovanja trajnostnih nadomestnih rešitev brez živega srebra;
(d) zagotavljanje tehnične in finančne pomoči;
(e) partnerstva za pomoč pri izvajanju zavez iz tega člena in
(f) uporabo obstoječih mehanizmov za izmenjavo informacij za spodbujanje znanja, najboljših okoljskih praks in nadomestnih tehnologij, ki so okoljsko, tehnično, socialno in gospodarsko izvedljive.
8. člen
1. Ta člen obravnava nadzor in, kadar je to mogoče, zmanjševanje izpustov živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin, pogosto izraženih kot „celotna količina živega srebra“, v ozračje z ukrepi za nadzorovanje izpustov iz točkovnih virov, ki spadajo v kategorije virov, navedene v prilogi D.
2. Za namene tega člena:
(a) „izpusti v zrak“ pomeni sproščanje živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin v ozračje;
(b) „upoštevni vir“ pomeni vir, ki spada v eno od kategorij virov iz priloge D. Pogodbenica se lahko odloči, da vzpostavi merila za določitev virov glede na kategorijo vira iz priloge D, vendar pa morajo ta merila za vsako kategorijo zajemati najmanj 75% izpustov te kategorije v zrak;
(c) „nov vir“ pomeni vsak upošteven vir v okviru kategorije iz priloge D, katerega gradnja ali bistvena sprememba se je začela najmanj eno leto po dnevu:
(i) začetka veljavnosti te konvencije za pogodbenico; ali
(ii) začetka veljavnosti spremembe priloge D za to pogodbenico, če za vir začnejo veljati določbe te konvencije le na podlagi take spremembe;
(d) „bistvena sprememba“ pomeni spremembo upoštevnega vira, ki povzroči bistveno povečanje izpustov v zrak, razen spremembe izpustov v zrak, ki je posledica predelave stranskih proizvodov. O tem, ali je sprememba bistvena, odloči pogodbenica;
(e) „obstoječi vir“ pomeni vsak upošteven vir, ki ni nov vir;
(f) „mejna vrednost izpustov v zrak“ pomeni mejno vrednost koncentracije, mase ali stopnje izpusta živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin iz točkovnega vira, pogosto izraženo kot „celotna količina živega srebra“.
3. Pogodbenica s takimi viri sprejme ukrepe za nadzor izpustov v zrak in lahko pripravi državni načrt, v katerem določi ukrepe, ki jih je treba sprejeti za nadzor izpustov v zrak, ter pričakovane cilje in rezultate. Načrti se predložijo konferenci pogodbenic najpozneje v štirih letih po začetku veljavnosti konvencije za to pogodbenico. Če pogodbenica pripravi izvedbeni načrt v skladu z 20. členom, vanj lahko vključi načrt, pripravljen v skladu s tem odstavkom.
4. Vsaka pogodbenica za svoje nove vire zahteva uporabo najboljših razpoložljivih tehnik in najboljših okoljskih praks za nadzor, in če je mogoče, zmanjšanje izpustov v zrak takoj, ko je to izvedljivo, vendar najpozneje v petih letih po začetku veljavnosti konvencije za to pogodbenico. Pogodbenica lahko uporablja mejne vrednosti izpustov v zrak, ki so združljive z uporabo najboljših razpoložljivih tehnik.
5. Kar zadeva obstoječe vire, vsaka pogodbenica v kakršen koli državni načrt vključi in izvaja enega ali več izmed naslednjih ukrepov, ob upoštevanju domačih okoliščin ter gospodarske in tehnične izvedljivosti ter cenovne sprejemljivosti ukrepov, čim prej, vendar najpozneje v desetih letih po začetku veljavnosti konvencije za to pogodbenico:
(a) količinsko opredeljeni cilj za nadzor in, če je to izvedljivo, zmanjšanje izpustov v zrak iz upoštevnih virov;
(b) mejne vrednosti izpustov v zrak za nadzor in, če je to izvedljivo, zmanjšanje izpustov v zrak iz upoštevnih virov;
(c) uporabo najboljših razpoložljivih tehnik in najboljših okoljskih praks za nadzor izpustov v zrak iz upoštevnih virov;
(d) strategijo za nadzor več onesnaževal hkrati, ki bi povečala učinkovitost nadzora nad izpusti živega srebra v zrak;
(e) alternativne ukrepe za zmanjšanje izpustov v zrak iz upoštevnih virov.
6. Pogodbenice lahko uporabijo iste ukrepe za vse upoštevne vire ali pa sprejmejo različne ukrepe za posamezne kategorije virov. Cilj ukrepov, ki jih sprejme pogodbenica, je sčasoma doseči razumen napredek pri zmanjševanju izpustov v zrak.
7. Vsaka pogodbenica takoj, ko je to izvedljivo, najpozneje pa v petih letih po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije za to pogodbenico vzpostavi evidenco izpustov v zrak iz upoštevnih virov in od takrat naprej to evidenco posodablja.
8. Konferenca pogodbenic na svojem prvem zasedanju sprejme usmeritve o:
(a) najboljših razpoložljivih tehnikah in najboljših okoljskih praksah ob upoštevanju razlik med novimi in obstoječimi viri in potrebe za zmanjšanje navzkrižnih učinkov med posameznimi okolji na najnižjo mero ter
(b) podpori pogodbenicam pri izvajanju ukrepov iz petega odstavka, zlasti pri določanju ciljev in mejnih vrednosti izpustov v zrak.
9. Konferenca pogodbenic takoj, ko je mogoče, sprejme usmeritve o:
(a) merilih, ki jih lahko pogodbenice oblikujejo v skladu s točko (b) drugega odstavka;
(b) metodologiji za pripravo evidenc izpustov v zrak.
10. Konferenca pogodbenic redno preverja in po potrebi posodablja usmeritve, pripravljene v skladu z osmim in devetim odstavkom. Pogodbenice pri izvajanju zadevnih določb tega člena upoštevajo te usmeritve.
11. Informacijo o izvajanju tega člena pogodbenice vključijo v svoja poročila, ki jih predložijo v skladu z 21. členom, zlasti informacije o ukrepih, ki so jih sprejele v skladu s četrtim do sedmim odstavkom, ter o učinkovitosti ukrepov.
9. člen
Izpusti v zemljo ali vodo
1. Ta člen obravnava nadzor in, kadar je to mogoče, zmanjševanje izpustov živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin, pogosto izraženih kot „celotna količina živega srebra“, v zemljo in vodo iz upoštevnih točkovnih virov, ki niso obravnavani v drugih določbah te konvencije.
2. Za namene tega člena:
(a) „izpusti v zemljo ali vodo“ pomeni sproščanje živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin v zemljo ali vodo;
(b) „upoštevni vir“ pomeni vsak pomemben antropogeni točkovni vir izpusta v zemljo ali vodo, kakor ga opredeli pogodbenica, ki ni obravnavan v drugih določbah te konvencije;
(c) „novi vir“ pomeni vsak upošteven vir, katerega gradnja ali bistvena sprememba se je začela najmanj eno leto po dnevu začetka veljavnosti te konvencije za zadevno pogodbenico;
(d) „bistvena sprememba“ pomeni spremembo upoštevnega vira, ki povzroči bistveno povečanje izpustov v zemljo ali vodo, razen spremembe izpustov, ki je posledica predelave stranskih proizvodov. O tem, ali je sprememba bistvena, odloči pogodbenica;
(e) „obstoječi vir“ pomeni vsak upošteven vir, ki ni nov vir;
(f) „mejna vrednost izpustov v zemljo ali vodo“ pomeni mejno vrednost koncentracije, mase ali stopnje izpustov živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin iz točkovnega vira, pogosto izraženo kot „celotna količina živega srebra“.
3. Vsaka pogodbenica najpozneje v treh letih po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije za to pogodbenico določi kategorije upoštevnih točkovnih virov in ta seznam od takrat naprej posodablja.
4. Pogodbenica s takimi viri sprejme ukrepe za nadzor izpustov v zemljo ali vodo in lahko pripravi državni načrt, v katerem določi ukrepe, ki jih je treba sprejeti za nadzor izpustov v zemljo ali vodo, ter pričakovane cilje in rezultate. Pogodbenica predloži načrt konferenci pogodbenic najpozneje v štirih letih po začetku veljavnosti konvencije za to pogodbenico. Če pogodbenica pripravi izvedbeni načrt v skladu z 20. členom, vanj lahko vključi načrt, pripravljen v skladu s tem odstavkom.
5. Ukrepi po potrebi zajemajo eno ali več od naštetega:
(a) mejne vrednosti izpustov v zemljo ali vodo za nadzor in, če je to izvedljivo, zmanjšanje izpustov iz upoštevnih virov;
(b) uporabo najboljših razpoložljivih tehnik in najboljših okoljskih praks za nadzor izpustov v zemljo ali vodo iz upoštevnih virov;
(c) strategijo za nadzor več onesnaževal hkrati, ki bi povečala učinkovitost nadzora nad izpusti živega srebra v zemljo ali vodo;
(d) druge ukrepe za zmanjšanje izpustov v zemljo ali vodo iz upoštevnih virov.
6. Pogodbenica takoj, ko je to mogoče, najpozneje pa v petih letih po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije za to pogodbenico vzpostavi evidenco izpustov v zemljo ali vodo iz upoštevnih virov in od takrat naprej to evidenco vodi in posodablja.
7. Konferenca pogodbenic takoj, ko je to mogoče, sprejme usmeritve o:
(a) najboljših razpoložljivih tehnikah in najboljših okoljskih praksah ob upoštevanju razlik med novimi in obstoječimi viri in potrebe po zmanjšanju navzkrižnih učinkov med posameznimi okolji na najnižjo mero;
(b) metodologiji za pripravo evidenc izpustov v zemljo ali vodo.
8. Vsaka pogodbenica v svoja poročila, ki jih predloži v skladu z 21. členom, vključi informacijo o izvajanju tega člena, zlasti informacije o ukrepih, ki so jih sprejele v skladu s tretjim do šestim odstavkom, in o učinkovitosti ukrepov.
10. člen
Okolju varno začasno skladiščenje živega srebra, razen odpadkov, ki vsebujejo živo srebro
1. Ta člen se uporablja za začasno skladiščenje živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin, kakor so opredeljeni v 3. členu, ki niso zajeti v opredelitvi odpadkov z živim srebrom iz 11. člena.
2. Pogodbenica sprejme ukrepe, da zagotovi, da se začasno skladiščenje živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin, namenjenih za uporabo, ki je pogodbenici dovoljena v skladu s to konvencijo, izvaja za okolje varno ob upoštevanju vseh smernic in v skladu z vsemi zahtevami, sprejetimi v skladu s tretjim odstavkom.
3. Konferenca pogodbenic sprejme smernice za okolju varno začasno skladiščenje živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin ob upoštevanju vseh upoštevnih smernic, oblikovanih v skladu z Baselsko konvencijo o nadzoru prehoda nevarnih odpadkov preko meja in njihovega odstranjevanja ter drugih upoštevnih smernic. Konferenca pogodbenic lahko sprejme zahteve za začasno skladiščenje z dodatno prilogo k tej konvenciji v skladu s 27. členom.
4. Pogodbenice ustrezno sodelujejo med seboj in pristojnimi medvladnimi organizacijami ter drugimi subjekti za krepitev usposobljenosti za okolju varno začasno skladiščenje takega živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin.
11. člen
1. Za pogodbenice Baselske konvencije o nadzoru prehoda nevarnih odpadkov prek meja in njihovega odstranjevanja se za odpadke, ki jih obravnava ta konvencija, uporabljajo ustrezne opredelitve iz Baselske konvencije. Pogodbenice te konvencije, ki niso pogodbenice Baselske konvencije, uporabljajo njene opredelitve kot smernice, ki se uporabljajo za odpadke, obravnavane v tej konvenciji.
2. Za namen te konvencije so odpadki z živim srebrom snovi ali predmeti:
(a) narejeni iz živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin;
(b) ki vsebujejo živo srebro ali živosrebrove spojine, ali
(c) ki so onesnaženi z živim srebrom ali živosrebrovimi spojinami;
v količinah, ki presegajo prag, kakor ga v dogovoru določi konferenca pogodbenic v sodelovanju z ustreznimi organi Baselske konvencije, ki jih odstranjujejo, ki jih nameravajo odstraniti ali ki jih je treba odstraniti v skladu z določbami notranjega prava ali te konvencije. Ta opredelitev ne zajema zgornje plasti, odpadnega materiala in jalovine iz rudarjenja, razen iz primarnega izkopa živega srebra, če ne vsebujejo živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin v količini, ki presega mejo, določeno na konferenci pogodbenic.
3. Vsaka pogodbenica sprejme ustrezne ukrepe, da:
(a) se z odpadki z živim srebrom ravna na okolju varen način ob upoštevanju smernic, oblikovanih v skladu z Baselsko konvencijo in v skladu z zahtevami, ki jih sprejme konferenca pogodbenic z dodatno prilogo v skladu s 27. členom. Pri pripravi teh zahtev konferenca pogodbenic upošteva predpise in programe pogodbenic za ravnanje z odpadki;
(b) se odpadki z živim srebrom zbirajo, reciklirajo, pridobijo ali neposredno ponovno uporabijo izključno za namen, ki je dovoljen pogodbenici te konvencije, ali za okolju varno odstranitev v skladu s točko (a) tretjega odstavka;
(c) odpadki z živim srebrom pogodbenic Baselske konvencije ne prehajajo prek mednarodnih meja razen za namen okolju varnega odstranjevanja v skladu s tem členom in Baselsko konvencijo. V okoliščinah, ko se za prevoz prek mednarodnih meja Baselska konvencija ne uporablja, pogodbenica dovoli tak prevoz le ob upoštevanju ustreznih mednarodnih pravil, standardov in smernic.
4. Konferenca pogodbenic si prizadeva tesno sodelovati z ustreznimi organi Baselske konvencije pri reviziji in posodobitvi, kakor je primerno, smernic iz točke (a) tretjega odstavka.
5. Pogodbenice se spodbujajo, da sodelujejo med seboj in z zadevnimi medvladnimi organizacijami ter drugimi subjekti, kakor je primerno, za razvijanje in ohranjanje svetovne, regionalne in domače usposobljenosti za ravnanje z odpadki z živim srebrom na okolju varen način.
12. člen
1. Vsaka pogodbenica si prizadeva pripraviti ustrezne strategije za odkrivanje in ocenjevanje območij, ki so onesnažena z živim srebrom ali živosrebrovimi spojinami.
2. Vse dejavnosti za zmanjševanje tveganja, ki ga predstavljajo taka območja, se izvajajo za okolje varno in zajemajo, kadar je to primerno, oceno tveganja za človekovo zdravje in okolje zaradi živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin, ki jih vsebujejo.
3. Konferenca pogodbenic sprejme smernice za upravljanje onesnaženih območij, ki lahko vsebujejo metode in pristope za:
(a) ugotovitev in opredelitev značilnosti območja;
(b) spodbujanje javnosti;
(c) oceno tveganja za človekovo zdravje in okolje;
(d) možne rešitve za upravljanje tveganj, ki jih predstavljajo onesnažena območja;
(e) oceno koristi in stroškov ter
(f) ovrednotenje rezultatov.
4. Pogodbenice se spodbujajo, da sodelujejo pri oblikovanju strategij in izvajanju dejavnosti za ugotavljanje, ocenjevanje, določanje prednostnih nalog, upravljanje in po potrebi saniranje onesnaženih območij.
13. člen
Finančni viri in mehanizem
1. Vsaka pogodbenica se obveže, da po svojih zmožnostih zagotavlja v skladu s svojimi politikami, prednostnimi nalogami, načrti in programi vire za tiste državne dejavnosti, ki so namenjene izpolnjevanju ciljev te konvencije. Taki viri lahko zajemajo domača finančna sredstva prek ustreznih politik, razvojnih strategij in državnih proračunov ter dvostranska in večstranska sredstva kot tudi vključevanje zasebnega sektorja.
2. Celotna učinkovitost izvajanja te konvencije s strani držav pogodbenic v razvoju je odvisna od izvajanja tega člena.
3. Spodbujajo se večstranski, regionalni in dvostranski viri na področju finančne in tehnične pomoči ter krepitve sposobnosti in prenosa tehnologije, da nemudoma okrepijo in razširijo svoje dejavnosti v zvezi z živim srebrom v podporo držav pogodbenic v razvoju pri njihovem izvajanju te konvencije glede finančnih sredstev, tehnične pomoči in prenosa tehnologije.
4. Pogodbenice morajo pri financiranju v celoti upoštevati posebne potrebe in položaj malih otoških pogodbenic v razvoju ali najmanj razvitih pogodbenic.
5. Določi se mehanizem za zagotavljanje ustreznih, predvidljivih in pravočasnih finančnih virov. Mehanizem je namenjen pomoči državam pogodbenicam v razvoju in pogodbenicam z gospodarstvom v prehodu pri izpolnjevanju njihovih obveznosti po tej konvenciji.
6. Mehanizem zajema:
(a) Sklad za svetovno okolje in
(b) poseben mednarodni program za pomoč pri usposabljanju in za tehnično pomoč.
7. Sklad za svetovno okolje zagotavlja nove, predvidljive, ustrezne in pravočasne finančne vire za pokrivanje stroškov pomoči pri izvajanju te konvencije skladno z dogovorom na konferenci pogodbenic. Za potrebe te konvencije Sklad za svetovno okolje deluje po smernicah konference pogodbenic in ji je odgovoren. Konferenca pogodbenic zagotovi smernice glede celovite strategije, politik, prednostnih nalog in meril upravičenosti za dostop do finančnih virov in njihovo uporabo. Poleg tega konferenca pogodbenic zagotovi smernice glede indikativnega seznama kategorij dejavnosti, ki bi lahko dobile pomoč Sklada za svetovno okolje. Slednji zagotavlja vire za pokritje dogovorjene zgornje meje stroškov svetovnih okoljskih koristi in celotnih dogovorjenih stroškov nekaterih zagonskih dejavnosti.
8. Pri zagotavljanju virov za dejavnost bi moral Sklad za svetovno okolje upoštevati razmerje med potencialnim zmanjšanjem živega srebra, ki ga dosežemo z izvajanjem predlagane dejavnosti, in s tem povezanimi stroški.
9. Za potrebe te konvencije bo program iz točke (b) šestega odstavka deloval po smernicah konference pogodbenic in ji bo odgovoren. Konferenca pogodbenic na prvem zasedanju odloči o gostiteljici za program, ki mora biti že obstoječa ustanova, in tej ustanovi zagotovi smernice tudi glede njegovega trajanja. Vse pogodbenice in drugi zadevni deležniki so vabljeni, da prostovoljno zagotovijo finančne vire za program.
10. Konferenca pogodbenic in subjekti, ki sestavljajo mehanizem, sprejmejo dogovore za uveljavitev zgornjih odstavkov na prvem zasedanju konference pogodbenic.
11. Konferenca pogodbenic bo najpozneje na svojem tretjem zasedanju, potem pa redno, pregledala višino financiranja, smernice, ki jih je konferenca pogodbenic dala subjektom, odgovornim za delovanje mehanizma, ustanovljenega po tem členu, in njegovo učinkovitost, ter njihovo sposobnost za odzivanje na spremenljive potrebe pogodbenic držav v razvoju in pogodbenic z gospodarstvom v prehodu. Na podlagi takega pregleda ustrezno ukrepa za izboljšanje učinkovitosti mehanizma.
12. Vse pogodbenice so vabljene, da po svojih zmožnostih prispevajo v mehanizem. Mehanizem spodbuja pridobivanje sredstev iz drugih virov, tudi iz zasebnega sektorja, in si prizadeva pridobiti take vire za dejavnosti, ki jih podpira.
14. člen
Usposabljanje, tehnična pomoč in prenos tehnologije
1. Pogodbenice sodelujejo, vsaka po svojih zmožnostih, pri zagotavljanju pravočasne in ustrezne pomoči za usposabljanje in tehnično pomoč državam pogodbenicam v razvoju, zlasti najmanj razvitim državam pogodbenicam ali malim otoškim državam pogodbenicam v razvoju ter pogodbenicam z gospodarstvom v prehodu, da jim pomagajo pri izvajanju njihovih obveznosti po tej konvenciji.
2. Tehnična pomoč in pomoč za usposabljanje iz prvega odstavka 13. člena se lahko zagotavljata prek regionalnih, podregionalnih ali državnih dogovorov, tudi že obstoječih regionalnih in podregionalnih centrov, prek drugih večstranskih ali dvostranskih mehanizmov in partnerstev, tudi partnerstev z zasebnim sektorjem. Potrebna sta sodelovanje in usklajevanje z drugimi mednarodnimi okoljskimi sporazumi na področju kemikalij in odpadkov, da se izboljša učinkovitost tehnične pomoči in poveča njen obseg.
3. Razvite države pogodbenice in druge pogodbenice po svojih zmožnostih spodbujajo in olajšujejo, po potrebi ob pomoči zasebnega sektorja in drugih zadevnih deležnikov razvoj, prenos in razširjanje ter dostop do najnovejših okolju varnih nadomestnih tehnologij za države pogodbenice v razvoju, zlasti najmanj razvite in male otoške države pogodbenice v razvoju ter pogodbenice z gospodarstvom v prehodu, da okrepijo njihovo sposobnost učinkovitega izvajanja te konvencije.
4. Konferenca pogodbenic najpozneje na svojem drugem zasedanju, potem pa redno in ob upoštevanju sporočil in poročil pogodbenic, tudi poročil, pripravljenih v skladu z 21. členom, in informacij, ki jih predložijo drugi zainteresirani udeleženci:
(a) prouči informacije o obstoječih pobudah in napredku na področju nadomestnih tehnologij;
(b) prouči potrebe pogodbenic, zlasti držav pogodbenic v razvoju, po nadomestnih tehnologijah in
(c) ugotovi, s katerimi težavami se spopadajo pogodbenice, zlasti države pogodbenice v razvoju, pri prenosu tehnologije.
5. Konferenca pogodbenic pripravi priporočila, kako izboljšati usposabljanje, tehnično pomoč in prenos tehnologije po tem členu.
15. člen
Odbor za izvajanje in spoštovanje obveznosti
1. Ustanovi se mehanizem, ki vključuje odbor kot pomožni organ konference pogodbenic, za spodbujanje izvajanja in preverjanje spoštovanja vseh določb te konvencije. Ta mehanizem, vključno z odborom, ima vlogo spodbujevalca in s posebno pozornostjo upošteva zadevne domače sposobnosti in okoliščine posameznih pogodbenic.
2. Odbor spodbuja izvajanje te konvencije in preverja spoštovanje vseh njenih določb. Odbor preverja posamezne in sistemske težave pri izvajanju in spoštovanju konvencije in po potrebi daje priporočila konferenci pogodbenic.
3. Odbor sestavlja 15 članov, ki jih predlagajo pogodbenice in jih izvoli konferenca pogodbenic ob ustreznem upoštevanju geografskega zastopanja na podlagi petih regij v okviru Organizacije združenih narodov; prvi člani se izvolijo na prvem zasedanju konference pogodbenic, potem pa v skladu s poslovnikom, ki ga odobri konferenca pogodbenic v skladu s petim odstavkom; člani morajo biti strokovnjaki na področju, ki je pomembno za konvencijo, in ustrezno uravnoteženo zastopati vsa strokovna področja.
4. Odbor proučuje zadeve na podlagi:
(a) pisnih sporočil pogodbenic, ki se nanašajo na njihovo spoštovanje določb konvencije;
(b) poročil držav v skladu z 21. členom in
(c) zahtev konference pogodbenic.
5. Odbor sestavi svoj poslovnik, ki ga odobri konferenca pogodbenic na svojem drugem zasedanju; konferenca pogodbenic lahko odboru naloži dodatne naloge.
6. Odbor si po najboljših močeh prizadeva sprejeti svoja priporočila s soglasjem. Če so bila vsa prizadevanja za soglasje izčrpana in soglasje ni doseženo, se ta priporočila v skrajni sili sprejemajo s tričetrtinsko večino glasov članov, ki so navzoči in glasujejo, pri čemer je kvorum dve tretjini vseh članov.
16. člen
1. Pogodbenice se spodbujajo, da:
(a) spodbujajo razvoj in izvajanje strategij in programov za odkrivanje in varovanje ogroženih populacij, zlasti ranljivih populacij, ki bi lahko vključevalo sprejem znanstvenih zdravstvenih smernic glede izpostavljenosti živemu srebru in živosrebrovim spojinam, po potrebi določitev ciljev za zmanjševanje izpostavljenosti živemu srebru, in izobraževanje javnosti s sodelovanjem javnega zdravstvenega sektorja in drugih zadevnih sektorjev;
(b) spodbujajo razvoj in izvajanje znanstvenih izobraževalnih in preventivnih programov glede poklicne izpostavljenosti živemu srebru in živosrebrovim spojinam;
(c) spodbujajo zagotavljanje ustrezne zdravstvene dejavnosti za preprečevanje, zdravljenje in oskrbo populacij, ki so prizadete zaradi izpostavljenosti živemu srebru in živosrebrovim spojinam, ter
(d) vzpostavijo in po potrebi okrepijo sposobnosti ustanov in zdravstvenih delavcev za preprečevanje, diagnosticiranje, zdravljenje in spremljanje zdravstvenih tveganj, povezanih z izpostavljenostjo živemu srebru in živosrebrovim spojinam.
2. Konferenca pogodbenic bi morala pri obravnavanju vprašanj ali dejavnosti, povezanih z zdravjem:
(a) sodelovati in se posvetovati s Svetovno zdravstveno organizacijo, Mednarodno organizacijo dela in drugimi upoštevnimi medvladnimi organizacijami, kakor je primerno, in
(b) spodbujati sodelovanje in izmenjavo informacij s Svetovno zdravstveno organizacijo, Mednarodno organizacijo dela in drugimi upoštevnimi medvladnimi organizacijami, kakor je primerno.
17. člen
1. Vsaka pogodbenica omogoča izmenjavo:
(a) znanstvenih, tehničnih, gospodarskih in pravnih informacij v zvezi z živim srebrom in živosrebrovimi spojinami, vključno s toksikološkimi, ekotoksikološkimi in varnostnimi informacijami;
(b) informacij o zmanjšanju ali ukinitvi proizvodnje, uporabe, trgovine, izpustov živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin v zrak, zemljo ali vodo;
(c) informacij o tehnično in gospodarsko izvedljivih nadomestnih možnostih za:
(i) proizvode, ki vsebujejo dodano živo srebro;
(ii) proizvodne postopke, pri katerih se uporablja živo srebro ali njegove spojine, in
(iii) dejavnosti in postopke, pri katerih prihaja do izpustov živega srebra ali živosrebrovih spojin v zrak, zemljo ali vodo;
vključno z informacijami o nevarnostih za zdravje in okolje ter o gospodarskih in družbenih stroških in koristih teh nadomestnih rešitev in
(d) epidemioloških informacij o vplivih na zdravje, povezanih z izpostavljenostjo živemu srebru in živosrebrovim spojinam, v tesnem sodelovanju s Svetovno zdravstveno organizacijo in po potrebi drugimi pristojnimi organizacijami.
2. Pogodbenice lahko izmenjujejo informacije iz prvega odstavka neposredno, prek sekretariata ali v sodelovanju z drugimi pristojnimi organizacijami, vključno po potrebi s sekretariati konvencij o kemikalijah in odpadkih.
3. Sekretariat olajšuje sodelovanje in izmenjavo informacij iz tega člena, tudi sodelovanje s pristojnimi organizacijami, vključno s sekretariati večstranskih okoljskih sporazumov in drugih mednarodnih pobud. Te informacije zajemajo poleg tistih, ki jih zagotovijo pogodbenice, informacije, pridobljene od vladnih in nevladnih organizacij ter od domačih in mednarodnih institucij, ki imajo strokovno znanje o živem srebru.
4. Vsaka pogodbenica določi državno točko za stike za izmenjavo informacij v skladu s to konvencijo, vključno glede soglasja pogodbenic uvoznic iz 3. člena.
5. Za to konvencijo se informacije o zdravju in varnosti ljudi ter okolja ne štejejo za zaupne. Pogodbenice, ki si izmenjavajo druge informacije na podlagi te konvencije, varujejo vsako zaupno informacijo v skladu z medsebojnim dogovorom.
18. člen
Obveščanje, ozaveščanje in izobraževanje javnosti
1. Pogodbenica po svojih zmožnostih spodbuja in omogoča:
(a) zagotavljanje razpoložljivih informacij javnosti o:
(i) učinkih živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin na zdravje in okolje;
(ii) nadomestkih za živo srebro in živosrebrove spojine;
(iii) temah, navedenih v prvem odstavku 17. člena;
(iv) izsledkih raziskav, razvoja in dejavnosti spremljanja v skladu z 19. členom in
(v) dejavnostih za izpolnjevanje njihovih obveznosti po tej konvenciji;
(b) izobraževanje, usposabljanje in širjenje ozaveščenosti o učinkih izpostavljenosti živemu srebru in živosrebrovim spojinam na človekovo zdravje in okolje v sodelovanju s pristojnimi medvladnimi in nevladnimi organizacijami in po potrebi ranljivimi skupinami prebivalcev.
2. Pogodbenice uporabljajo obstoječe mehanizme ali razmišljajo o vzpostavitvi mehanizmov, kot so registri izpustov in prenosov onesnaževal, če je to primerno, namenjenih zbiranju in razširjanju informacij o ocenjenih letnih količinah živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin, ki so izpuščene v zrak, zemljo ali vodo ali odstranjene zaradi človekovih dejavnosti.
19. člen
Raziskave, razvoj in spremljanje stanja
1. Pogodbenice si ob upoštevanju svojih okoliščin in sposobnosti prizadevajo sodelovati pri razvoju in izboljšavah:
(a) inventarnih evidenc o uporabi, porabi in antropogenih izpustih živega srebra v zrak ter izpustih živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin v vodo in zemljo;
(b) oblikovanja in geografsko reprezentativnega spremljanja ravni živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin pri ranljivih populacijah in v naravnih okoljih, zlasti biotih, kakor so ribe, morski sesalci, morske želve in ptiči, ter sodelovanja pri zbiranju in izmenjavi upoštevnih in primernih vzorcev;
(c) ocen o vplivu živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin na človekovo zdravje in okolje ter o njihovem socialnem, gospodarskem in kulturnem vplivu, zlasti na ranljive populacije;
(d) usklajenih metodologij za dejavnosti, ki se izvajajo v skladu s točkami (a), (b) in (c);
(e) informacij o okoljskih ciklih, prenosu (vključno s prenašanjem in odlaganjem na velike razdalje), preoblikovanju in usodi živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin v različnih ekosistemih ob ustreznem upoštevanju razlike med antropogenimi in naravnimi izpusti živega srebra v zrak, zemljo ali vodo ter remobilizacije živega srebra s starih odlagališč;
(f) informacij o trgovini ter prometu z živim srebrom in živosrebrovimi spojinami ter proizvodih z dodanim živim srebrom in
(g) informacij in raziskav o tehnični in gospodarski razpoložljivosti proizvodov in postopkov brez živega srebra ter o najboljših razpoložljivih tehnikah in najboljših okoljskih praksah za zmanjšanje in spremljanje izpustov živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin v zrak, zemljo ali vodo.
2. Pogodbenice naj, kadar je to mogoče, pri izvajanju dejavnosti iz prvega odstavka nadgrajujejo obstoječe mreže spremljanja in raziskovalne programe.
20. člen
1. Vsaka pogodbenica lahko po začetni oceni ob upoštevanju domačih okoliščin oblikuje in uresniči izvedbeni načrt za izpolnjevanje svojih obveznosti po tej konvenciji. Ta načrt predloži sekretariatu takoj po njegovi pripravi.
2. Pogodbenice lahko revidirajo in posodobijo svoje izvedbene načrte ob upoštevanju svojih domačih okoliščin in usmeritev konference pogodbenic ter drugih primernih usmeritev.
3. Pogodbenice naj se pri izvajanju nalog iz prvega in drugega odstavka posvetujejo z domačimi deležniki, da se olajšajo oblikovanje, izvajanje, pregledovanje in posodabljanje izvedbenih načrtov.
4. Pogodbenice lahko tudi usklajujejo načrte na regionalni ravni, da olajšajo izvajanje te konvencije.
21. člen
1. Vsaka pogodbenica prek sekretariata poroča konferenci pogodbenic o ukrepih, ki jih je sprejela za izvajanje določb te konvencije, in o učinkovitosti teh ukrepov ter možnih težavah pri izpolnjevanju ciljev konvencije.
2. Vsaka pogodbenica v svoja poročila vključi vse informacije, ki se zahtevajo v skladu s 3., 5., 7., 8. in 9. členom te konvencije.
3. Konferenca pogodbenic na svojem prvem zasedanju določi časovne roke in obliko poročil, ki jih morajo pripraviti pogodbenice, ob upoštevanju, da je zaželeno, da se poročanje usklajuje z drugimi upoštevnimi konvencijami o kemikalijah in odpadkih.
22. člen
Ocenjevanje učinkovitosti
1. Konferenca pogodbenic prvič oceni učinkovitost konvencije najpozneje šest let po začetku veljavnosti Konvencije, nato pa v časovnih presledkih, ki jih sama določi.
2. Da bi omogočili tako ocenjevanje, konferenca pogodbenic na prvem zasedanju da pobudo za oblikovanje ureditev, s katerimi si zagotovi primerljive podatke spremljanja prisotnosti in gibanja živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin v okolju ter o trendih in ravneh živega srebra in živosrebrovih spojin, zaznanih v biotskih okoljih in ranljivih populacijah.
3. Ocenjevanje se opravi na podlagi razpoložljivih znanstvenih, okoljskih, tehničnih, finančnih in gospodarskih informacij, med katere spadajo tudi:
(a) poročila in druge informacije, zbrane s spremljanjem, ki se predložijo konferenci pogodbenic v skladu z drugim odstavkom,
(b) poročila, ki se predložijo v skladu z 21. členom,
(c) informacije in priporočila, ki se predložijo v skladu s 15. členom, in
(d) poročila in druge upoštevne informacije o izvajanju ureditev za finančno pomoč, prenos tehnologije in usposabljanje, ki so oblikovani v skladu s to konvencijo.
23. člen
1. Ustanovi se konferenca pogodbenic.
2. Prvo zasedanje konference pogodbenic skliče izvršilni direktor Programa Združenih narodov za okolje najpozneje eno leto po začetku veljavnosti te konvencije. Nato bodo redna zasedanja konference pogodbenic v rednih presledkih, ki jih določi konferenca.
3. Izredna zasedanja konference pogodbenic bodo, kadar bo konferenca menila, da je to potrebno, ali na pisno zahtevo katere koli pogodbenice, s tem da to zahtevo v šestih mesecih po sporočilu sekretariata pogodbenicam podpre najmanj tretjina pogodbenic.
4. Konferenca pogodbenic se na prvem zasedanju soglasno dogovori in sprejme poslovnik ter finančna pravila zase in za vse pomožne organe kakor tudi finančne določbe za delovanje sekretariata.
5. Konferenca pogodbenic stalno pregleduje in ocenjuje izvajanje te konvencije. Opravlja naloge, ki so ji določene s konvencijo, in v ta namen:
(a) ustanavlja pomožne organe, ki so po njenem mnenju potrebni za izvajanje te konvencije;
(b) sodeluje, kadar je to primerno, s pristojnimi mednarodnimi organizacijami ter z medvladnimi in nevladnimi organi;
(c) redno pregleduje vse informacije, ki so njej in sekretariatu na voljo v skladu z 21. členom;
(d) obravnava vsa priporočila, ki ji jih predloži Odbor za izvajanje in spoštovanje obveznosti;
(e) obravnava in sprejme vse dodatne ukrepe, potrebne za doseganje namenov te konvencije, in
(f) pregleduje prilogi A in B v skladu s 4. in 5. členom.
6. Združeni narodi, njihove specializirane agencije in Mednarodna agencija za atomsko energijo kakor tudi vsaka druga država nepogodbenica te konvencije so na zasedanjih konference pogodbenic lahko navzoči kot opazovalci. Kateri koli državni ali mednarodni, vladni ali nevladni organ ali agencija, ki je strokovno usposobljena za zadeve, ki jih ureja ta konvencija, in ki obvesti sekretariat o svoji želji, da je navzoča na zasedanju konference pogodbenic kot opazovalec, se zasedanja lahko udeleži, če temu ne nasprotuje najmanj ena tretjina na zasedanju navzočih pogodbenic. Za udeležbo in sodelovanje opazovalcev velja poslovnik, ki ga sprejme konferenca pogodbenic.
24. člen
1. Ustanovi se sekretariat.
2. Naloge sekretariata so:
(a) da pripravlja zasedanja konference pogodbenic in njenih pomožnih organov ter da zanje opravlja potrebne storitve;
(b) da omogoča pomoč pri izvajanju te konvencije pogodbenicam, ki to zahtevajo, zlasti pogodbenicam v razvoju in pogodbenicam z gospodarstvom v prehodu;
(c) da se po potrebi usklajuje s sekretariati drugih ustreznih mednarodnih organov, zlasti drugih konvencij o kemikalijah in odpadkih;
(d) da pomaga pogodbenicam pri izmenjavi informacij v zvezi z izvajanjem te konvencije;
(e) da v rednih časovnih presledkih pripravlja in daje pogodbenicam na voljo poročila na podlagi informacij, ki jih prejme v skladu s 15. in 21. členom, ter druge razpoložljive informacije;
(f) da po splošnih usmeritvah konference pogodbenic sklepa take upravne in pogodbene dogovore, kakor utegnejo biti potrebni za učinkovito opravljanje njegovih nalog, in
(g) da opravlja druge naloge sekretariata, določene v tej konvenciji, in take druge naloge, kot mu jih lahko določi konferenca pogodbenic.
3. Naloge sekretariata za to konvencijo opravlja izvršni direktor Programa Združenih narodov za okolje, razen če konferenca pogodbenic ne odloči s tričetrtinsko večino glasov navzočih pogodbenic, ki so glasovale, da naloge sekretariata zaupa eni ali več drugim mednarodnim organizacijam.
4. Konferenca pogodbenic lahko po posvetovanju z ustreznimi mednarodnimi organi omogoči okrepljeno sodelovanje in usklajevanje med sekretariatom in sekretariati drugih konvencij o kemikalijah in odpadkih. Konferenca pogodbenic lahko po posvetovanju z ustreznimi mednarodnimi organi omogoči nadaljnje usmeritve v tej zvezi.
25. člen
1. Pogodbenice si prizadevajo reševati medsebojne spore v zvezi z razlago in uporabo te konvencije s pogajanji ali na drug miren način po svoji izbiri.
2. Ob ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi konvencije ali ob pristopu h konvenciji ali kadar koli pozneje lahko pogodbenica, ki ni organizacija za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje, v pisni listini, ki jo predloži depozitarju, izjavi, da za vsak spor v zvezi z razlago ali uporabo te konvencije kot obveznega v odnosu do katere koli pogodbenice, ki sprejema enako obvezo, priznava enega ali oba od spodaj naštetih načinov reševanja sporov:
(a) arbitražo v skladu s postopkom iz prvega dela priloge E;
(b) predložitev spora Meddržavnemu sodišču.
3. Pogodbenica, ki je organizacija za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje, lahko da izjavo z enakim učinkom glede arbitraže v skladu z drugim odstavkom.
4. Izjava iz drugega ali tretjega odstavka velja, dokler ne preneha veljati v skladu z njenimi določili ali do preteka treh mesecev po deponiranju pisnega obvestila o njenem preklicu pri depozitarju.
5. Potek veljavnosti izjave, obvestilo o preklicu ali nova izjava nikakor ne vplivajo na postopke, ki so še nerešeni pred arbitražnim sodiščem ali pred Meddržavnim sodiščem, razen če se stranke v sporu ne dogovorijo drugače.
6. Če stranke v sporu niso sprejele istega sredstva za reševanje spora iz drugega ali tretjega odstavka in če svojega spora niso mogle rešiti na način iz prvega odstavka v dvanajstih mesecih, potem ko je ena pogodbenica pisno obvestila drugo pogodbenico o medsebojnem sporu, se tak spor na zahtevo katere koli stranke v sporu predloži spravni komisiji. Za spravni postopek po tem členu se uporabi postopek iz drugega dela priloge E.
26. člen
1. Katera koli pogodbenica lahko predlaga spremembe te konvencije.
2. Spremembe te konvencije se sprejmejo na zasedanju konference pogodbenic. Besedilo katere koli predlagane spremembe pošlje pogodbenicam sekretariat najmanj šest mesecev pred zasedanjem, na katerem je sprememba predlagana v sprejem. Sekretariat pošlje predlagane spremembe tudi podpisnicam konvencije in v vednost depozitarju.
3. Pogodbenice si prizadevajo, da bi se o vsaki predlagani spremembi dogovorile soglasno. Če so bila izčrpana vsa prizadevanja za soglasje in dogovor ni bil dosežen, se sprememba v skrajni sili sprejme s tričetrtinsko večino glasov pogodbenic, ki so bile na zasedanju navzoče in so glasovale.
4. Sprejeto spremembo pošlje depozitar vsem pogodbenicam v ratifikacijo, sprejetje ali odobritev.
5. O ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi spremembe je treba pisno uradno obvestiti depozitarja. Sprememba, ki je bila sprejeta v skladu s tretjim odstavkom, začne veljati za pogodbenice, ki so izrazile soglasje, da jih konvencija zavezuje, devetdeseti dan po dnevu, ko je najmanj tri četrtine pogodbenic deponiralo svoje listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi. Pozneje začne sprememba veljati za vsako drugo pogodbenico devetdeseti dan po dnevu, ko je ta pogodbenica deponirala svojo listino o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi spremembe.
27. člen
Sprejem in sprememba prilog
1. Priloge k tej konvenciji so njen neločljivi sestavni del in če ni izrecno drugače določeno, pomeni sklicevanje na to konvencijo hkrati tudi sklicevanje na vse njene priloge.
2. Dodatne priloge, ki se sprejmejo po začetku veljavnosti konvencije, so omejene na postopkovne, znanstvene, tehnične ali upravne zadeve.
3. Za predlaganje, sprejem in začetek veljavnosti dodatnih prilog k tej konvenciji se uporablja naslednji postopek:
(a) dodatne priloge se predlagajo in sprejmejo v skladu s postopkom, ki je določen v prvem do tretjem odstavku 26. člena;
(b) pogodbenica, ki ne more sprejeti dodatne priloge, o tem pisno uradno obvesti depozitarja v enem letu po dnevu, ko jo je depozitar seznanil, da je bila sprejeta taka priloga. Depozitar nemudoma obvesti vse pogodbenice o prejetju takega uradnega obvestila. Pogodbenica lahko kadar koli pisno uradno obvesti depozitarja, da umika prejšnje uradno obvestilo o nesprejetju dodatne priloge in nato začne za tako pogodbenico priloga veljati po pogojih iz pododstavka (c), in
(c) ob izteku enega leta od dneva, ko je depozitar seznanil pogodbenice, da je bila sprejeta dodatna priloga, začne ta dodatna priloga veljati za vse pogodbenice, ki niso predložile uradnega obvestila o nesprejetju v skladu z določbami pododstavka (b).
4. Za predlaganje, sprejem in začetek veljavnosti sprememb prilog k tej konvenciji veljajo enaki postopki kakor za predlaganje, sprejem in začetek veljavnosti dodatnih prilog k tej konvenciji, razen da sprememba priloge ne začne veljati za pogodbenico, ki je dala izjavo o spremembi prilog v skladu s petim odstavkom 30. člena. V takem primeru začne sprememba za tako pogodbenico veljati devetdeseti dan po dnevu, ko je ta pogodbenica deponirala svojo listino o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi spremembe ali pristopu k njej.
5. Če je dodatna priloga ali sprememba priloge povezana s spremembo te konvencije, dodatna priloga ali sprememba ne sme začeti veljati, dokler ne začne veljati sprememba konvencije.
28. člen
1. Vsaka pogodbenica konvencije ima en glas, razen kakor je določeno v drugem odstavku.
2. Organizacija za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje lahko o zadevah, ki so v njeni pristojnosti, uresničuje pravico do glasovanja s številom glasov, ki je enako številu njenih držav članic, ki so pogodbenice te konvencije. Taka organizacija ne sme uveljavljati svoje pravice do glasovanja, če katera koli od njenih držav članic sama uresničuje svojo pravico do glasovanja, in nasprotno.
29. člen
Ta konvencija je na voljo za podpis vsem državam in organizacijam za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje v Kumamotu na Japonskem 10. in 11. oktobra 2013, potem pa na sedežu Združenih narodov v New Yorku do 9. oktobra 2014.
30. člen
Ratifikacija, sprejetje, odobritev ali pristop
1. To konvencijo države in organizacije za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje ratificirajo, sprejmejo ali odobrijo. Za pristop je državam in regionalnim organizacijam za gospodarsko povezovanje na voljo od dneva, ko je končano podpisovanje Konvencije. Listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu se hranijo pri depozitarju.
2. Vsako organizacijo za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje, ki postane pogodbenica te konvencije, ne da bi bila pogodbenica katera koli od njenih držav članic, zavezujejo vse obveznosti po tej konvenciji. Kadar je pri takih organizacijah ena ali več njenih držav članic pogodbenica te konvencije, organizacija in njene države članice določijo ustrezno razmejitev odgovornosti za izpolnjevanje obveznosti po tej konvenciji. V takih primerih organizacija in države članice niso upravičene sočasno uresničevati svojih pravic po tej konvenciji.
3. V svoji listini o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu organizacija za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje izjavi, kakšen je obseg njenih pristojnosti za zadeve, ki jih ureja ta konvencija. Vsaka taka organizacija o tem tudi obvesti depozitarja, ki obvesti pogodbenice o vseh pomembnih spremembah, ki so v njeni pristojnosti.
4. Vse države ali organizacije za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje so pozvane, da ob ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu sporočijo sekretariatu podatke o ukrepih za izvajanje Konvencije.
5. V svoji listini o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu lahko vsaka pogodbenica izjavi, da zanjo začne veljati sprememba prilog šele po tem, ko pogodbenica deponira svojo listino o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi spremembe ali pristopu k njej.
31. člen
1. Ta konvencija začne veljati devetdeseti dan po dnevu deponiranja petdesete listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu.
2. Za vsako državo ali organizacijo za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje, ki to konvencijo ratificira, sprejme ali odobri ali k njej pristopi po deponiranju petdesete listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu, začne Konvencija veljati devetdeseti dan, potem ko je ta država ali organizacija za regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje deponirala svojo listino o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu.
3. Za namen prvega in drugega odstavka tega člena se nobena listina, ki jo je deponirala regionalna organizacija za gospodarsko povezovanje, ne šteje kot dodatna listina k tistim, ki so jih deponirale države članice take organizacije.
32. člen
K tej konvenciji pridržki niso dopustni.
33. člen
1. Kadar koli po treh letih od dneva, ko je ta konvencija začela veljati za določeno pogodbenico, lahko ta pogodbenica Konvencijo odpove s pisnim uradnim obvestilom depozitarju.
2. Vsaka taka odpoved začne veljati po izteku enega leta od dne, ko je depozitar prejel obvestilo o odpovedi, ali pozneje na dan, ki je lahko določen v obvestilu o odpovedi.
34. člen
Depozitar te konvencije je generalni sekretar Združenih narodov.
35. člen
Izvirnik te konvencije, katerega angleško, arabsko, francosko, kitajsko, rusko in špansko besedilo je enako verodostojno, je shranjen pri depozitarju.
V POTRDITEV TEGA so podpisani, ki so bili za to ustrezno pooblaščeni, podpisali to konvencijo.
Sestavljeno v Kumamotu, Japonska, desetega oktobra dva tisoč trinajst.
Za izvajanje konvencije skrbi ministrstvo, pristojno za zdravje (Urad Republike Slovenije za kemikalije), v sodelovanju z ministrstvom, pristojnim za okolje.
Ta zakon začne veljati petnajsti dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.
Št. 801-06/13-2/11
Ljubljana, dne 24. maja 2017
EPA 1427-VI
dr. Milan Brglez l.r.
