Rotterdam Convention

The Rotterdam Convention on trade in hazardous chemicals and crop protection products and pesticides, Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, and the PIC Convention and Rotterdam Convention is an international treaty on chemical safety in international trade in hazardous substances. Objectives of the Convention are the shared responsibility and cooperation of States Parties for the protection of human health and the environment from the risks of substances. Among other things, the 100 Parties have decided to conclude the Convention in September 1998, a qualified Information System. Thus, a procedure of prior approval is required for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides after importing countries were informed of the exporting countries on the import of the substance in question ( Prior Informed Consent, therefore PIC Convention ). This regulation is particularly developing countries protect against the uncontrolled import of substances to their safe handling they do not have sufficient information and infrastructure.

The Convention was ratified by Germany in early 2001. On 24 February 2004 the Convention has entered into force. In Switzerland, it has been implemented in the PIC Regulation into national law. The Regulation entered into force on 1 January 2005.