Basel Convention

The objective of the Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which was adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1992, is to eliminate the risks that may potentially arise out of or in connection with trans-boundary movements and recycling of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The movements of wastes from industrial states towards developing states constitute the most vital concern on which this Convention lays primary focus of interest.
The Basel Convention requires the making of a preliminary notification, before an actual movement of wastes takes place between Parties thereto. In order for a trans-boundary movement to be legitimately accomplished according to the Basel Convention, the exporting state should solicit and obtain the importing state’s written consent to import. Accordingly, each State forming a Party to the Convention has the right to ban importation and exportation of hazardous wastes or other wastes.
The Convention has hitherto been signed by 53 States, in addition to the 183 states who are parties to it. Turkey has been a Party to the Basel Convention since 1994 and has ratified the BAN Amendment in 2003.