on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain
Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

ii

Table of Content
Introduction
............................................................................................................................ 1
Opening of the Meeting
..................................................................................................... 2
Key Note Address
............................................................................................................ 2
Address by the Rotterdam Convention Secretariat
............................................ 3
Address by the Representative of FAO
................................................................... 5
Agenda
..................................................................................................................................... 7
Conclusions
.......................................................................................................................... 11
Results of Breakout Groups
........................................................................................... 14
Annex
..................................................................................................................................... 20
List of Participants
......................................................................................................... 20
iii

Introduction
The objective of the Rotterdam Convention is to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties, when engaged in the international trade of hazardous chemicals, in order to protect human health and the environment. When the text of the
Convention was adopted in Rotterdam in September 1998, the member governments also agreed to implement the Convention on a voluntary basis as the “
Interim PIC procedure
” until such time as the Convention entered into force. The Convention entered into force on 24
February 2004 and became legally binding for its Parties.
Though not as yet ratified the convention Sri Lanka has participated in the interim PIC procedure, by nominating designated national authorities and by submitting import responses for some of the chemicals in the PIC procedure. The objective of this consultation is to facilitate a national dialogue involving relevant stakeholders on the Rotterdam Convention as the basis for a national strategy on the ratification and implementation of the Convention. The meeting was organized by the Registrar of Pesticides of the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Rotterdam Convention Secretariat.
The invitees to the meeting represented the range of stakeholders having a role to play in the ratification and implementation of the Rotterdam Convention in Sri Lanka. These included the
Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock and Irrigation, Ministry of Environment and
Natural Resources, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Health, Department of Import and
Export, Department of Customs, NGOs and chemical importers. The meeting was structured around five sessions in plenary and three rounds of breakout groups. The forum identified and agreed on concrete follow up actions for the ratification and implementation of the
Convention.
The proceedings include the agenda, presentations given in the plenary and the conclusions along with the consolidated results of break out group discussions.
1

Opening of the Meeting
Key Note Address
Representing the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Mr. R.M.
Senanayake, Additional Secretary (Projects) welcomed the delegation from the Convention
Secretariat, the expert from South Korea and the local participants to this very important national consultation. He first expressed the pleasure of the opportunity given, to voice some of the thoughts of the Ministry of Agriculture concerning matters relating to Agro chemicals.
Chemical pesticides had become an integral part of agricultural production in the challenge to meet the food and fiber requirements of increasing population. But, their inherent toxic proprieties, presence of hazardous residue in food, occupational exposure of factory and farm workers and the impact of these toxicants on the environment keep contributing to a growing social awareness and a sense of insecurity with respect to adverse health effects which calls for expeditious adoption of responsible management practices in the use of these chemicals.
Food security has been a major policy goal of successive governments. Our national agricultural policies for self-sufficiency in rice and legume crops, increased production of export crop commodities and the need to widen the import substitution base have been achieved by using some high yielding varieties and the promotion of improved production techniques. In exotic vegetables, chilies, onions and potato, the technology adopted by farmers is heavily weighted towards the use of the fertilizers and pesticides.
The use of pesticides has, as in other parts of the world, proved to be a mixed blessing. Sri
Lankan farmers, who cultivate high value crops, tend to become over-reliant on pesticides, in spite of diminishing returns due to their excessive use.
To overcome the problems associated with pesticides, the government of Sri Lanka enacted legislation, entitled the Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 of 1980 which contains provisions relating to the regulation of all activities of pesticides, from the point of import until it reaches the hands of the end user. As the law requires every import of a pesticide to be approved, it is not possible for any foreign parties to use Sri Lanka as a dumping ground for undesirable or banned products.
2

Sri Lanka has come a long way in developing a comprehensive and extensive pesticide management scheme while allowing the use of pesticides suitable for conditions specific to
Sri Lanka. Among the number of regulatory measures is the banning of all POPs pesticides more than a decade ago.
With respect to pesticides under PIC procedure; 21 out of the total of 30 pesticides formulations in the Annex III of the Rotterdam convention have either been banned or not used in the country. Some of the formulations with unacceptable risk under the conditions prevailing in developing countries such as monocrotophos and methamidophos were banned as far back in 1995.
In Sri Lanka, there are nearly 20,000 reported incidences of pesticide poisoning resulting in
1600-1800 mortalities every year. Over 75% is due to suicidal attempts. Recent studies on possible measures to reduce self inflicted pesticide poisoning deaths in the North Central
Region of the country has highlighted the fact that the number of deaths reported by the
Polonnaruwa hospital has markedly declined as a result of an embargo on the availability of two specific pesticides in the study area.
In conclusion, within the framework of present pesticide regulatory activities, the Ministry of
Agriculture looks forward in confidence to work as a focal point with the FAO to address all issues identified in achieving the objectives of the Rotterdam Convention the betterment of our people and generations to come.
Address by the Rotterdam Convention Secretariat
Mr. William Murray, Senior Officer of the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention, welcomed the participants to the national consultation, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Rotterdam Convention, Mr. Niek Van der Graaff .
Mr. Murray briefly described the key objectives and scope of the Rotterdam Convention and benefits of its ratification.
3

Even though Sri Lanka has participated in the interim PIC procedure, the Convention makes no provision for the participation of non-Parties and hence continued benefits from the PIC procedure would be limited. In recognition of this the first meeting of the Conference of
Parties agreed to a transition period that would allow non-parties or participating states to continue to benefit from some provisions of the Convention, but this transition period will end on 24 February 2006. Now, more than ever, countries like Sri Lanka need to take action to ratify the Convention in order to fully benefit from it.
As of today, 86 states have ratified the Rotterdam Convention. In the Asia region the pace of ratification has been slow, only 7 Parties or less than 30% of the countries in the region have ratified the Convention. The most recent ratification in this region was China in March of this year. In order to be effective, a Convention requires more than just entry into force. It needs implementation and enforcement. Only if the Convention is widely adopted and implemented will it make a contribution to the protection of human health and the environment.
The First Conference of the Parties of the Rotterdam Convention, agreed to include 14 additional chemicals in Annex III of the Convention. This brought the total number of pesticides and industrial chemicals subject to the PIC procedure to 41. The number of chemicals included in Annex III is expected to continue to increase
The fact that Sri Lanka ratified the Basel Convention in December 1992. Mr. Murray stated that he would like to emphasize how the Rotterdam Convention, in association with the Basel and Stockholm Conventions, provides a framework for the life cycle management of chemicals. Integrating the work of the Rotterdam Convention with that of the Stockholm and
Basle Conventions would also provide an opportunity to fully benefit from the synergies that exist among these Conventions for example, in training of customs authorities, opportunities to review national legislation and regulations on chemicals management etc.
Such an integrated approach to the implementation of these Conventions is also consistent with ongoing discussions at the international level within the Preparatory Committee for the
Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and is increasingly viewed favourably by funding agencies and bilateral donors.
4

Sri Lanka participated in the UNITAR Program on Developing and Sustaining an Integrated
National Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals. A key objective of this program was to establish a collaborative framework at the national level as a foundation for effective and coordinated action to address both the national chemicals management priorities as well as the implementation of international chemicals-related agreements. Ratification of the Rotterdam Convention should also help to strengthen national infrastructure for chemicals management.
Address by the Representative of FAO
The Representative of FAO in Sri Lanka, Dr. Pote Chumsri in his address stated that during the briefing in preparing for his post, the Rotterdam Secretariat at FAO headquarters in Rome informed him of this important consultation and requested to meet with participants.
As countries like Sri Lanka move to increase food production in response to the demands of a growing population there will be a need for the continued, and possible increased use, of agricultural chemicals including pesticides. It is important that in meeting this demand that health or environmental problems are not increased.
The Rotterdam Convention provides a mechanism for the Sri Lanka to receive information on potentially hazardous chemicals, both pesticides and industrial chemicals that may be in use in the country and for those chemicals included in the Prior Informed Consent or PIC procedure to decide whether or not Sri Lanka wishes to receive future imports. The Convention helps to control and monitor the import of hazardous chemicals by disseminating import decisions worldwide and by obliging exporting Parties to respect those decisions. The Convention builds on the chemicals management infrastructure in place and helps to share the responsibility for the sound management of hazardous chemicals between importing and exporting countries. As a net importer of chemicals, Sri Lanka is well positioned to fully benefit from the information exchange provisions of the Convention but also, and perhaps more significantly, from the PIC procedure.
The ratification of the Convention by China, Japan and the Republic of Korea is a significant step forward. As major manufacturers and exporters of chemicals in the region they are now legally bound by the import decisions of other Parties to the Convention for those chemicals
5

subject to the PIC procedure and to provide export notifications when exporting chemicals banned or severely restricted in their country.
In order for Sri Lanka to fully benefit from such developments it is important that it becomes a Party to the Convention. This is important now more than ever given that the interim PIC procedure will cease to operate in February of next year.
Mr. Chumsri also stated that according to his understanding the main objective of the discussions during the meeting has been to develop the elements of a national action plan or strategy for the ratification and implementation of the Rotterdam Convention. Clearly the presence of the wide range of Ministries and agencies present here this week suggests the commitment to this goal.
He voiced congratulations on the substantial progress Sri Lanka had made so far in this connection and stated that he will be observing future progress with interest and in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Convention would be prepared to assist Sri Lanka as much as possible in its follow-up to this important meeting.
6

Agenda
5.15 pm
5.30 pm
Sunday 17 April
Registration of participants
Inaugural session

Welcome address - Director General of Agriculture

An Introduction to the Consultation on the Rotterdam
Convention by the RC Secretariat

Message by the FAO local representative

Address by the representative to the Hon. Minister of
Agriculture, Lands, Livestock and Irrigation

Vote of Thanks
7.00 pm Reception

Cocktail followed by dinner
Monday 18 April
8:30 – 8:45 Introduction of meeting structure and objectives
Session 1 Introduction to the Convention
8.45 – 9.15
Overview of the Rotterdam Convention
9.15 – 9.30 Status of Ratification and Key Steps in the Ratification Process
9.30 – 9.45 Status of Implementation and Current Activities
9.45 – 10.00 Tea break
Session 2 Issues associated with ratification of the Convention in Sri
Lanka
10.00 – 10.30
10.30 – 11.00
11.00 – 11.30
2.1 National administrative / legal capacity to meet the requirements of the Rotterdam Convention
2.1.1 Pesticides: Registrar of Pesticides
2.1.2 Industrial chemicals: Central Environmental Authority
2.1.3.Import regulation: Controller of Imports
11.30 – 12.00 2.1.4. Customs: Dept of Customs
RC Secretariat
Chair- Dr.S.L.
Weerasena
RC Secretariat
RC Secretariat
RC Secretariat
Chair- Dr.(Mrs.)N. de Alwis
Dr. G. Manuweera
Mrs. R. Ellepola
Mr. H.M.
Wimalasena
Dr. N.
Gunawardhane
7

12.00 – 13.30 Lunch
13.30 – 14.00 2.2 Socio-economic impacts and financial implications of implementation of Rotterdam Convention: Dept. of Policy
Planning
14.00 – 14.15 Preparation and introduction to the Break Out Session
14.15 – 14.45
BOG: 1 st
round of discussion: ratification process
14.45 – 15.15 Tea Break
15.15 – 17.00 BOG: 1 st
round of discussion: ratification process
17.00 – 17.30 Plenary session: BOG Chairs to present each group’s work
Tuesday 19 April
8.30 – 8.50 Plenary session: presentation of consolidated results of the 1 st
Session 3 round BOG
Operational elements of the Convention and their implementation in Sri Lanka
RC Secretariat
Chair- Mr.
W.R.M.S.
Wickramasinghe
RC Secretariat 8.50 -9.20 Introduction to the operational elements and what is required from a Party by the Rotterdam Convention
9.20 – 10.00 Experiences from Rep. of Korea on ratification and implementation of the Rotterdam Convention
10.00 – 10.30 Tea
10.30 – 12.30 Identification of the Role and responsibilities of DNAs and all other stakeholders, including an introduction by the RC
Secretariat (15 min) and presentation by others in Plenary
12.30 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 14.15 Preparation of BOG
14.15 – 15.15 BOG 2 nd round discussion: analysis of current capacities and challenges
15.15 –15.45 Tea
15.45 – 17.00 Cont. BOG 2 nd
round discussion: analysis of current capacities and challenges
Mrs. Choi (DNA from Rep. of Korea)
8

17.00 – 17.30 Plenary session: BOG Chairs to present each group’s work
(tables)
Wednesday 20 April
Session 4 Overview of experience chemicals management. with relevant multilateral environmental agreements and infrastructure development on
4.1 Review the relationship of the Rotterdam Convention to the
Basel and Stockholm Conventions at the national level
8.30 – 9.00 4.1.1 The Stockholm and Basel Conventions: General Overview and Possible Synergies with the Rotterdam Convention
9.30 -10.00 4.1.2 Basel Convention: Ministry of Env.
10.00 – 10.30 4.1.3 Stockholm Convention: Ministry of Env.
10.30 – 11.00 Tea
11.00 – 11.30 4.2 Experience gained by the UNITAR project in developing mechanisms: Central Environmental Authority
11.30 – 11.40 Preparation of BOG
11.40 – 12.40 BOG 3 rd
round of discussion: review the results of the 2 nd
round
BOG taking into consideration of possible linkage and integration with relevant ongoing programmes
12.40 – 14.00
Lunch
Session 5 Consideration of next steps as a possible national strategy or action plan for the ratification and implementation of the
Rotterdam Convention based on the key elements identified in
Sessions 1 – 4.
14.00 – 15.00 BOG chairs to prepare a consolidate table
15.00 – 15.15 Plenary session: presentation of consolidated results of the 3rd round BOG discussion
15.15 – 15.30 Tea
15.30 – 17.00 Drafting Group : Preparation of a draft strategy with elements of action plan for ratification and implementation as the draft report of the meeting
Chair- Dr.
A.M.Mubarak
RC Secretariat
Ms. L.P.Batuwitage
Ms. L.P.Batuwitage
Mr.K.G.D.Bandarat
hilake
RC Secretariat
9

Thursday 21 April
9.00 – 10.00 Plenary: presentation of the draft report
10.00 – 11.00 Discussion of the next steps and adoption of the report
11.00 – 11.30 Tea
11.30 –
12.30
12.30
Conclusion speech by:

Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention

FAO Representative

Government representative
Lunch
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Conclusions
The Rotterdam Convention (RC) is an international legally binding instrument primarily focused on protecting human health and the environment by promoting shared responsibility and cooperative efforts in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals. The
Convention entered into force on 24th February 2004, and as of April 2005, there were 86
Parties to the Convention.
Sri Lanka has yet to ratify the Rotterdam Convention. Since 1998 Sri Lanka has implemented the Convention on a voluntary basis as part of the interim Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure with a view to improve chemicals management in the country. The procedure was implemented through the Designated National Authorities (DNAs) namely the Registrar of
Pesticides (ROP) of the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Central Environmental
Authority (CEA) representing pesticides and industrial chemicals respectively. The voluntary
PIC procedure will cease to operate on 24 February 2006. There are no provisions under the
Rotterdam Convention for the participation of non-Parties in the PIC procedure.
The ROP in collaboration with the RC Secretariat organized a National Consultation Forum on Ratification and Implementation of the RC in Sri Lanka during 18th to 21st April 2005.
The meeting operated in a series of plenary sessions and breakout groups. The key outcomes of the Plenary discussions are summarized here while the detailed discussions of the breakout groups are reflected in the tables attached to this report. Representatives from the Ministry of
Agriculture, Livestock, Lands & Irrigation (M/ALLI), Ministry of Environment & Natural
Resources, Ministry of Healthcare & Sanitation, Ministry of Industries & Investment
Promotion, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dept of Customs, Dept. of Import & Export Control,
Dept. of National Planning, Central Environmental Authority, as well as from leading chemicals importers and public interest groups were invited for this consultation.
The overall objective of the meeting was to facilitate a national dialogue in order to develop a national strategy for the ratification and implementation of the Rotterdam Convention in Sri
Lanka. Ratification of this Convention will complement the implementation of Basel and
Stockholm Conventions and the recommendations of UNITAR assisted action plan on integrated chemicals management.
11

By becoming a Party to the Convention Sri Lanka stands to benefit from –

Early warning system, which keeps the country informed of control actions taken by other countries on hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment.

Provision of chemical related information to facilitate local regulatory decisions.

Exporting countries becoming responsible to ensure that the exports do not occur contrary to the import decisions of the country which helps Sri Lanka to avoid the import of certain unwanted chemicals.

Export notification alerts Sri Lanka of regulatory actions taken by the exporting country, thereby facilitating the country to take precautionary actions where necessary, and providing an opportunity to seek further information.

Accessing the Network of DNAs in other countries with similar conditions for sharing information.
Among the number of concerns related to proper management of chemicals in Sri Lanka, the
Forum identified the following as key issues, most of which could be addressed through the ratification of this Convention;

Limited capacity and skills for risk assessment.

Insufficient mechanisms to effectively control the influx of chemicals, particularly industrial chemicals.

Absence of proper regulatory mechanism in place under the available legislations to address the issues pertaining to industrial chemical management.

Poor public awareness on hazards associated with chemicals.

Insufficient communication, co-ordination and co-operation among the stake-holders.

Absence of an established frame-work for life-cycle management of chemicals.

Health and environmental adverse effects are not properly monitored.
After extensive deliberations and consultations, the Forum arrived at the following key conclusions;

Ratification and implementation of this Convention is extremely beneficial to the country for efficient management of chemicals.
12


The existing legislative and administrative framework is adequate for the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention recognizing that further development of a pre-market evaluation of industrial chemicals is desirable.

Develop a Cabinet Memorandum in consultation with the two respective DNAs and other relevant Agencies, the lead role to be taken by the M/ALLI.

Consider opportunities to further develop specific elements of the implementation plan for the Rotterdam Convention in parallel to the Stockholm Convention as appropriate but that the development and submission of the Cabinet Memorandum on the
Rotterdam Convention should not be delayed.

Reviewing and strengthening the legal framework and infra-structure facilities in order to manage chemicals efficiently.

Establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee for industrial chemical management.
The following actions were identified to be implemented.

Establishment of a Drafting Committee for the preparation of a Cabinet Memorandum timeline by mid May 2005.

Submission of the Cabinet Memorandum for approval of the Cabinet of Ministers by end June 2005.

Reviewing and strengthening of available legislation and chemicals management infrastructure as needed.

In parallel to the work to develop the cabinet memorandum and in order to fully benefit from the Convention as soon as possible DNAs to;

Acknowledge export notifications (as needed)

Prepare and submit import responses for the pesticides and industrial chemicals in
Annex III of the RC as appropriate (initiated by end of May 2005)

Prepare and submit notifications of recent final regulatory action for banned or severely restricted chemicals, if any (initiated by end of May 2005)

Establish a system for collecting information with regard to poisoning in respect of
Severely Hazardous Pesticide Formulations (long term)
13

Results of Breakout Groups
Part I Understanding the process of ratification of the Rotterdam Convention
Objective: Consider the benefits of the Rotterdam Convention to Sri Lanka and how it complements the development strategy/process of the
Government in Sri Lanka in the area of chemicals management; identify issues and challenges to ratification and how they might be addressed.
Issues, and problems in chemicals and their
management in general in Sri Lanka
How and where the RC can be of benefit
National ratification process
What needs to be done?
Who is responsible/involved and how to do?
Aspects common to both pesticides and Industrial
Chemicals
 Lack of capacity and skills for risk assessment
 Poor reporting of Health and environment incidents
 Problems in regulation of import of chemicals including pesticides due to possible classification under multiple headings of the HS Code system of the Customs (for certain chemicals separate subheadings are needed to be established)
 Lack of awareness and training on proper chemical management by the end-user
 Poor public interest
 Lack of political & institutional will
 The country has adopted the sustainable development pathway. Sound management of chemicals is one of the priorities, not yet properly addressed.
 Although the country has a high percentage of the population below the poverty line, a high-risk group, the issues related to management of chemicals has not been addressed adequately.
 Lack of communication, co-ordination and cooperation among the stake-holders
 Exporting Parties will be obliged to provide information on the hazardous chemicals imported.
 Information exchange on current global trends on the management of chemicals for science based decision-making.
 Exporting parties will share responsibility to prevent the import of unwanted chemicals.
 Benefit from the global network of DNAs.
 Rotterdam Convention provides support for national decision-making process and its enforcement.
 Rotterdam Convention compliments the Basel and Stockholm
 Involve all stakeholders.
 Lead Ministries to develop a joint Cabinet
Memorandum
(Min. of
Agriculture in collaboration with Min. of
ENR).
 Submission of the joint cabinet memorandum to the Cabinet for approval.
 Deposition of the instrument of accession through the
Min. of Foreign
Affairs.
 Consider the
“National report on integrated management of chemicals in Sri
Lanka” prepared with the assistance of
UNITAR as the fundamental working document. o To examine/prepare as needed appropriate legislation o To designate
DNAs in the legislation.
 Establish an advisory committee for
Industrial Chemicals in the same line as the Pesticide tech
Advisory Committee
AGENCIES INVOLVED
A) Pesticides-
ROP/DoA
Min. of Agriculture
Min of Industries
Dept of Import & Export
Control
Dept of Customs
Board of Investment
Min. of Health
Ports Authority
B) Industrial Chemicals
CEA
Min. of Industries
MOE
Dept of Import & Export
Control
Dept of Customs
Board of Investment
Min. of Health
Ports Authority
RESPONSIBILITY
 Establishment of a drafting committee consisting officials from
14

Aspects mainly concerning Industrial chemicals
 Lack of properly established communication/ correspondence systems between relevant authorities such as Import Export Control Dept, CEA,
BOI, Customs, Min of Industries etc.
 Absence of appropriate system to undertake the shared responsibility by exporting companies
 Lack of economically viable substitutes for certain toxic industrial chemicals.
 Industries adopt low cost/low level technologies for treatment of waste arising from industrial processes.
 Practices of ineffective low cost technologies by some industries for treatment of industrial waste
 Absence of an established frame-work for efficient life-cycle management of chemicals including; o influx of chemicals into the country o mechanism to recommend the relevant institutions regarding the industrial chemicals to be brought under control procedure
Aspects mainly concerning pesticides
 Unfavourable line of command at field level compliance monitoring
 Poor coordination and cooperation among various field regulatory and other programmes
 Outdated Penalty structure
 Possible classification of pesticides under other chemicals during import clearance
 Assurance of the reliability of test reports
 Variability in product quality
 Assurance of judicious use
 Weaknesses in administrative aspects o Streamlining of enforcement mechanism o Resource -Physical and human o Skill development
 Weaknesses in Effects and Risk assessment o Technical feasibility o Economic factors o Ineffective regulatory and enforcement tools o Lack of research
Conventions to provide a framework for life-cycle management of chemicals.
 Opportunity to identify hazardous chemicals for listing in Annex III of
RC.
 Capacity building and technology transfer.
15
 Establish dialogue between Committees responsible for RC and SC.
 Include the requirement for a
National Coordinating
Committee for the implementation of the Rotterdam
Convention.
MOA, MOE, ROP, CEA and Legal Draftsman
Dept
 Preparation of the suitable Cabinet
Memorandum
 Submission for Cabinet approval

Objective of Part II - V: Understand the obligations of the Rotterdam Convention; identify the current status of implementation, the challenges and how they might be addressed in order to fully benefit from the Convention.
Part II Notification of final regulatory actions for banned or severely restricted chemicals (Article 5)
Scope: All chemicals that are banned or severely restricted by final regulatory action in Sri Lanka
Channel of communication: Between Party and Secretariat
Current legal infrastructure /admin
procedure with respect to Rotterdam
Convention
Pesticides
 Regulated under the control of pesticides act No. 33 of 1980.
 Registration is a tool that is used to regulate imports, restriction and banning.
 Regulatory actions are mainly based on hazard evaluation and in some cases risk evaluation under prevailing conditions.
 Regulatory actions are documented in the form of minutes of the Advisory Committee followed by gazette notifications.
Industrial Chemicals
 Imports regulated under the Imports & Exports
(Control) Act No. 1 of 1969 except for BOI requirements.
 Limited provisions under NEA No. 47 of 1980.
 Occupational health aspects are regulated under the
Factory Ordinance of 1946.
 Import & export regulations are implemented and enforced under Customs Ordinance.
 Inter-agency co-ordinating procedure.
What has been done to implement the RC?
 Notifications have been submitted for all regulatory actions on pesticides
 No notification submitted on regulatory actions taken on
Industrial
Chemicals.
What needs to be done in
implementing RC?
 Make use of notifications published in PIC Circular
 Collect information required by Annex I where available in consultation with relevant
Agencies.
 Prepare notification form and submit to the RC
Secretariat.
 Amend the National
Environmental Act to make provisions for management (Transport,
Storage formulation, Use and disposal) of Industrial
Chemicals.
Who is responsible/involved and how to do?
 DNA (ROP) and DNA (CEA) are responsible for completion of notification form with available data for pesticides and industrial chemicals, respectively and submit to the RC secretariat
Time line
 Start the process-Within 01 month
16

Part III Import response (Article 10)
Scope: Chemicals listed in Annex III of the Convention and subject to the PIC procedure
Channel of communication: Between Party and Secretariat; within a Party
Current legal infrastructure /admin
procedure
Pesticides
 Registration under the Control of Pesticides
Act No 33 is a tool that is used to regulate imports, restriction and banning.
 Product registration procedure allows timely decision-making and submission of a response.
 Registration status may be reviewed using information provided by the DGD.
 Information exchange is through the members of the technical advisory committee
& vide gazette notifications.
Industrial Chemicals
 Limited provisions under NEA No. 47 of 1980 for management of industrial chemicals
 Imports & Exports (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969 on issuing import control license on controlled items
 Customs Ordinance to enforce restrictions and prohibitions reflected in other laws and regulations in respect of imports/exports
 With respect to channel of communications;
Ad hoc administrative procedures exist such as inter-agency coordinating procedure.
 Information exchange is through the members of the Ad-hoc committees.
What has been done?
Pesticides
 24 import responses have been submitted
Industrial Chemicals
 no import responses have been submitted
What needs to be done?
 Submit import responses for the remaining pesticides
(06) and industrial chemicals (11).
 Establish a procedure to ensure timely submission in the future.
 Establish procedure to communicate national import decisions to relevant agencies, e g Customs,
Import & Export Controller etc.
 Establish an Advisory committee for Industrial
Chemicals comprised of all necessary stakeholders.
Who is responsible/ involved and how to do?
Pesticides:
 DNA (ROP) in consultation with the
Tech Advisory committee to submit outstanding import responses for 6 pesticides listed in Annex III as soon as possible.
Industrial Chemicals
 DNA (CEA) to submit import responses for as many as possible of the 11 industrial chemicals in Annex
III
 In future DNA in consultation with the Tech Advisory committee responsible/involved in the decision making process and CEA for submission of import response;
How to formalize the channel of communication of import decision
 Gazette notification
 Inform to the Import & Export controller & Customs and other relevant Institutions in writing
 CEA Web page
 DOA web page
17

Part IV Export notification (Article 12)
Scope: Chemicals banned or restricted in the exporting party.
Channel of communication: Between Parties
Current practice
Pesticides
 Acknowledgement of export notification by the DNA (ROP).
Industrial Chemicals
 Never received by the DNA
(CEA) under the RC
What has been done?
Pesticides
 Confirmation of the receipt of notification by way of acknowledgement.
Industrial Chemicals
 Not applicable as yet.
What needs to be done?
Pesticides/Industrial
Chemicals
 Formalise the procedure to ensure timely acknowledgement.
 Use information to improve regulatory measures and sound management in order to reduce associated risks to environment, workers and consumers
Who is responsible/ involved and how to do?
DNA is to:
 Acknowledge receipt
 Review information and: o refer the matter to the Advisory Committee where necessary to consider if it should be controlled in future o monitor trade, if it is a new industrial chemical add to the inventory or identify illegal/unregistered pesticides imports and take action accordingly
 If controlled (banned or severely restricted) pesticides are being exported from Sri Lanka, (DNA) ROP should inform the DNA of the importing country
 make use of information provided by export o ROP o CEA o Technical Advisory Committees (pesticide and
Industrial chemical)
18

Part V: Proposals for Severely Hazardous Pesticide Formulations (SHPF – Article 6)
Scope: Any pesticide formulation that causes severe health or environmental problems under the condition of use in a developing country.
Channel of communication: Between Party and Secretariat; within a Party.
Available infrastructure for pesticides poisoning report
What has been done? What could be done in the future?
Who is responsible/involved and how to do?
 National Poison Centre of the Min. of Health.
 Statistics division of the Min. of Health
 Police sources
 Registrar of deaths
 Field research studies and surveys conducted about pesticide poisoning and pesticide residues
 Some studies on occupational poisoning in selected areas.
 Although no proposal submitted from Sri
Lanka, few mechanisms are in place that deals with pesticide poisoning problems o National poison information center o Hospital based poison management studies o NGO programmes on pesticide exposure monitoring
 To work with existing program/system, establish better coordinating mechanism with the
National Poison Centre and other relevant agencies
 Aspects to be improved to enable the reporting in respect of cooperation, facilitation o Recording of investigations on the history of poisoning to be carried out during patient management o Information flow from peripheral hospitals to the national level to be strengthened o Improvement of the existing hospital reporting system on poisoning by providing info about the poisoning substances o Establishment of better linkages with NGOs for monitoring pesticides poisoning o Promotion of existing NGO programs to obtain more information
 Health Authorities are responsible for information gathering and reporting.
 P DNA (ROP) to obtain information from
Health sector.
 Agencies/organizations contribute to collect information (Part B of SHPF incident report form) o Poison Information Centre o Hospitals o Chemical hazard communication centre (recommendation) o NGOs o Universities and o Research Institutes
 Strengthening the cooperation between
DNA and health work and complimentary field program such as IPM o Establish a coordinating centre at the ROP o Implement programs with NGOs
19

Annex
List of Participants
Ms. Chandra Hewagallage
National Coordinator
Vikalpani National Federation
117, Talahena,
Malabe.
Tel : 011 2789459 / 011 2790661
Fax : 011 2790777
E-mail : cec@sltnet.lk
cec@lankanet.jca.apc.org
Dr. Nevil Goonawardena
Director - Customs
Customs Department
Tel : 011 2329521
Fax : 011 2430691
E-mail : ngoonewardena@hotmail.com
Mr.D.D.Jayasinghe
Sri Lanka Customs
Customs House
Bristol Street
P.O.Box 518,
Colombo 01
Tel : 011 2333458/ 0777 322594
E-mail : Jayani36@hotmail.com
Mr. L.K.Hathurusinghe
Director (Policy Planning & Project
Development)
Min. of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands &
Irrigation
'Govijanamandiraya',
82, Rajamalwatta Rd,
Battaramulla
Tel : 011 2887426
Fax : 011 2887437
E-mail :lalithhathurusinghe@yahoo.co.uk
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Ms. C. Panditharathne
Assistant Director
Ministry of Environment & Natural
Resources
'Sampathpaya'
82, Rajamalwatta Rd,
Battaramulla
Tel : 011 2887453
Fax : 011 4407616
E-mail : cpanditharatne@wow.lk
Ms. L.P. Batuwitage
Director (Environment)
Min. of Environment & Natural Resources
'Sampathpaya'
82, Rajamalwatta Rd, Battaramulla
Tel : 011 2887453
Fax : 011 4407616
E-mail : pops@sltnet.lk
Mr. K.G.D.Bandarathilake
Deputy Director General
Central Environmental Authority
'Parisara Piyasa'
104, Robert Gunawardena Mw,
Battaramulla
Tel : 011 2873453
Fax : 011 2872605
E-mail : kgdbard@cea.lk
Ms. R. Ellepola
Deputy Director General
Central Environmental Authority
'Parisara Piyasa'
104, Robert Gunawardena Mw,
Battaramulla
Tel : 011 2872388
Fax : 011 2872296
E-mail : rellepola@cea.lk

Ms. Sarojini Jayasekera
Central Environmental Authority
'Parisara Piyasa'
104, Robert Gunawardena Mw,
Battaramulla
Tel : 0112872263
Fax : 0112872605
E-mail : saroja@cea.lk
Mr.S.A.S.Siriwardena
Co-ordinator
Min. of Industrial & Investment Promotion
Chemical Weapon Convention Branch
73/1, Galle Road, Colombo 3
Tel : 011 2327807
E-mail : Siriwardene_sas@yahoo.com
Mr. H.M.Somathilaka
Deputy Controller of Imports & Exports
75, 1st Floor, Hemas Building
York Street, Colombo 1
Tel : 011 2324673/011 2326774
Fax : 011 2328486
E-mail : www.imexport.gov.lk
Mr. M.J.J.Fernando
Director
Central Environmental Authority
'Parisara Piyasa'
104, Robert Gunawardena Mw,
Battaramulla
Tel : 011 2 872409/0112884826
Fax : 011 2872608
E-mail : jayavi@cea.lk
Mr. H.R.J.T. Peiris
Research Officer
Office of the Registrar of Pesticides
1056, Getambe, Peradeniya
Tel : 081 2388135/ 081 2388076
Fax : 081 2388135
E-mail : pest1@slt.lk
Mr. J.A. Sumith
Research Officer
Office of the Registrar of Pesticides
1056, Getambe, Peradeniya
Tel : 081 2388135/ 081 2388076
Fax : 081 2388135
E-mail : pest1@slt.lk
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Dr. G.K. Manuweera
Registrar of Pesticides
Office of the Registrar of Pesticides
1056, Getambe, Peradeniya
Tel : 081 2388135/ 081 2388076
Fax : 081 2388135
E-mail : pest@slt.lk
Mr. A.L.B.Purijjala
CropLife Lanka
C/o. Hayleys Agro Products
25, Foster Lane, Colombo 10
Tel : 0777 843600
Fax : 081 2215655
E-mail : purijjala@lanka.ccom.lk
Mr. Hiran Weerasekera
CropLife Lanka
C/o. Hayleys Agro Products
25, Foster Lane, Colombo 10
Tel : 0777 340787
E-mail : hiranhcpl@eureka.lk
Mr. Rohitha Nanayakkara
Vice Chairman
CropLife Lanka
Zagro, 858/4 Talangama North, Malabe
Tel : 011 4412157/077 3039071
Fax : 011 4401299
E-mail : rohitha@zagro.com
Mr. Justin Perera
CropLife Lanka
C/o CIC Ltd
199, Kew Road, Colombo 2
Tel : 0777 598398/011 2305440
Fax : 011 2446922
E-mail : justin-shl@cic.lk

Rotterdam Convention Secretariat
Mr. William Murray
Senior Officer
Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention
AGPP, FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome,
Italy
Tel : +390657056289
Fax : +390657053224
E-mail : william.murray@fao.org
Ms. Yun Zhou
Technical Officer
Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention
AGPP, FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome,
Italy
E-mail : Yun.zhou@fao.org
Resource person
Mrs. Kyunghee Choi
Research Officer
National Institute of Environmental
Research
Ministry of Environment
Environmental Research Complex
Rep. of Korea
Tel : 82-32-560-7128
Fax : 82-32-568-2037
E-mail : nierchoi@me.go.ler
nierchoi@unitel.co.ler
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