Will Asbestos Be Added to Global “Watch List”?

October 10, 2006 - This week, representatives from more than 100 governments will gather in Geneva, Switzerland to assess the progress they’ve made on the Rotterdam Convention, which regulates the import and export of hazardous chemicals and pesticides.

One of the main topics on the agenda is asbestos; specifically, whether or not to add the hazardous material to a “watch list” of dangerous substances and chemicals.  The addition of chrysotile asbestos to the list, the type of asbestos which accounts for around 94 percent of global asbestos consumption, will require a positive vote from all members present.

However, reports SwissInfo, two countries may block the listing.  Canada, one of the world’s largest exporters of asbestos, and Kyrgyzstan, have both indicated that they will oppose adding asbestos to the watch list.  If blocked, that means it will be at least a year before the issue arises once again.

Thomas Kolly, head of international affairs at the Swiss environment office, called the move by Canada and Kyrgyzstan one based on “purely economic interests” though the countries said they were challenging the addition of asbestos on a “legal technicality.”

"Canada has made it very clear that it is opposed to including chrysotile asbestos on the list for the moment," said Kolly.  "It is unlikely that we will reach a successful conclusion this week in Geneva and that would be a disappointment," he added.

Kolly added that the continued omission of chrysotile would not affect countries like Switzerland, where the substance is banned.  It would, however, pose a threat to developing countries where controls are lax, said Kolly.

Under the rules of the convention, exports of any of the 39 chemicals and pesticides on the list require the “prior informed consent” of the importing country. This allows developing countries to exclude those materials that they believe they will be unable to handle safely, explains SwissInfo.