Revised questionnaire on “Transmission of Information” (in accordance with Articles 13 & 16 of the Basel Convention)
Reporting for the year 2011
Please fill in the following
Country: IrelandDate when form completed(D/M/Y):Name of the person who completed the questionnaire:
Title: James Blake
Address:Waste Policy
Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government
Dublin 2
Telephone no:353 1 8882600Fax no: 353 1 8882888
E-mail:
To request an electronic version of this questionnaire, to return the completed questionnaire by e-mail, or for further information and clarification, please contact:
Secretariat of the Basel Convention
15, chemin des Anémones
1219 Châtelaine, Geneva
Switzerland
Tel: (41 22) 917 8218; Fax: (41 22) 797 3454
Thank you for completing the questionnaire!
INTRODUCTION
The Parties to the Basel Convention are required, in accordance with Articles 13 and 16 of the Convention, to inform each other, through the Secretariat of the Basel Convention, on issues related to the implementation of the Basel Convention. To facilitate reporting by Parties, the secretariat has revised the questionnaire on “Transmission of Information”. The revised questionnaire consists of two parts, namely, Part I: Status of information; and Part II: Annual reporting.
Part I: Status of information: to further facilitate reporting, Part I of the questionnaire is pre-filled by the secretariat (provided that Parties have reported for the year 1999 and/or onwards, in the required format).
Part I essentially covers those issues for which information provided by Parties usually remains the same as that reported during the previous year(s). While updating the pre-filled questionnaire, if there is any change in the information provided (including necessary corrections or deletions) during the previous reporting period, it needs to be indicated by Parties in the right hand column of the questionnaire by ticking the box stating “yes” and accordingly, the corresponding information should also be updated. Using “track changes” function of the ‘Word’ program is recommended to update the information. If there is no change in the information, it is sufficient to indicate it in the right hand column of the questionnaire by ticking the box stating “no”.
Part I: covers issues such as designation of Competent Authority and Focal Point; national definitions of waste; national definitions of hazardous waste; restrictions on transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes; control procedure of the transboundary movements of waste; reduction and/or elimination of the generation of hazardous wastes and other wastes; reduction of the amount of hazardous wastes and other wastes subject to transboundary movements; effect on human health and the environment; bilateral, multilateral or regional agreements or arrangements; disposal and recovery facilities and sources of technical and financial assistance.
Part II: Annual reporting covers those issues for which reporting is required on an annual basis. For the ease of electronic reporting and processing of the reported data/information, Part II: Annual reporting is divided into two sections namely, Section A and Section B.
Part II: Section A covers issues such as export/import hazardous wastes and other wastes and generation of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
Part II: Section B covers issues such as disposals, which did not proceed as intended and accidents occurring during the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
Some of the general guidelines to fill in the questionnaire are:
-Complete the questionnaire in English.
-Ensure that all quantities are in metric tons.
-Complete the questionnaire by providing information/data in the required format.
-Provide an electronic version of the completed questionnaire, if possible, or use a typewriter or else handwritten in block letters for legibility.
The manual could be referred for more information, which is available in all six United Nations languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish).
The questionnaire and the manual are available both in hard copy as well as in electronic version from the secretariat (Part I and Part II: Section B of the questionnaire are in Word; and Part II: Section A of the questionnaire is in Excel. The manual is in Word).
PART I: STATUS OF INFORMATION (for the year 2010)
Note: If there is any update to the pre-filled answer provided in the middle column by your country to this query since the last update, please indicate so on the right column and update all relevant information accordingly!
1 / Competent Authority and Focal Point / Updated?1a / Is there a designated Competent Authority to the Basel Convention? / x / Yes / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please provide:
Title: / National TFS Office
Address: / Dublin City Council,
Eblana House, 68-71 Marrowbone Lane,
Dublin 8
Tel: / (353-1) 2224411
Fax: / (353-1)4113440
E-mail: /
Official Web site: /
[X] Multiple competent Authorities designatedNote: If more than one Competent Authority exists, please provide the above information for each Competent Authority, specifying regions and activities (i.e. import/export/transit) assigned to them. Use additional space/attachment, if required.
1b / Is there a designated Focal Point to the Basel Convention? / x / Yes / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please provide:
Title: / Waste Policy
Address: / Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government
Custom House, Dublin 1, Ireland
Tel: / (353-1) 888-2600
Fax: / (353-1) 888-2888
E-mail: /
Official Web site: /
2 / Wastes Controlled for the Purpose of Transboundary Movement / Updated?
2a / Is there a national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste? / x / Yes / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please provide the text of the national definition of waste (use additional space/attachment, if required):
Section 4(1)(a) of the Waste Management Act, 1996, defines waste to mean any substance or object belonging to a category of waste specified in the First Schedule (of the Act), or for the time being included in the European Waste Catalogue which the holder discards or intends to or is required to discard, and anything which is discarded or otherwise dealt with as if were waste shall be presumed to be waste until the contrary is proved.
New regulations to transpose the provisions of the Revised Waste Framework Directive – 2008/98/EC were signed into Irish law on the 31st March 2011. The regulations, amend the definition of waste to “‘waste’ means any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard”.
2b / Is there a national definition of hazardous waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste? / x / Yes / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please provide the text of the national definition of hazardous waste (use additional space/attachment, if required):
Section 4(2)(a) of the Waste Management Act, 1996, as amended defines hazardous waste to mean a waste specified in the European Waste Catalogue/Hazardous Waste List (EWC/HWL), which has one or more hazardous properties specified in the Second Schedule of the Act.
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government may prescribe a waste which is not specified in the HWL if it has one or more hazardous properties specified in the Second Schedule of the Act.
New regulations to transpose the provisions of the Revised Waste Framework Directive – 2008/98/EC were signed into Irish law on the 31st March 2011. The regulations amend the definition of hazardous waste to “‘hazardous waste’ means waste (within the meaning of this section) which displays one or more of the hazardous properties listed in the Second Schedule”.
2c / Does your country regulate/control any additional wastes as hazardous that are not included in Art. 1 (1)a of the Basel Convention and would be controlled for the purpose of transboundary movements pursuant to Art. 1 (1)b? / Yes / x / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please specify those wastes (use additional space/attachment, if required):
All shipments of waste are controlled in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community.
2d / Are there any wastes other than those identified in above questions 2b and 2c that require special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement? / Yes / x / No
Yes / X / No / In preparation
If yes, specify (use additional space/attachment, if required):
However, all shipments of waste are controlled in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community.
3 / Restrictions on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous
Wastes and Other Wastes / Updated?
3a / Has the amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) been implemented in your country? / x / Yes / No
x / Yes / No / In preparation
Remarks:
Ireland formally ratified the Amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) on 13 November 2009. Under Regulation EC No 1013/2006 Decision 111/1 has been implemented since 2006.
3b / Are there any restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal (AnnexIVA) in your country? / Yes / x / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please provide the following:
(i) / Specify relevant legislation and its entry into force:
As a member of the European Community (EC) Ireland is bound by Council Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community. Article 34 prohibits the export of waste for disposal outside the Community except to EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement) States, which are Parties to the Basel Convention.
(ii) / Specify country/region and/or waste which would be covered by this restriction:
(iii) / Remarks:
3c / Are there any restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery (AnnexIVB) in your country? / Yes / x / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please provide the following:
(i) / Specify relevant legislation and its entry into force:
As a member of the European Community (EC) Ireland is bound by Council Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006, on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community. Article 36 of the regulation deals with the exports of hazardous waste for recovery.
(ii) / Specify country/region and/or waste which would be covered by this restriction:
(iii) / Remarks:
3d / Are there any restrictions on the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal (AnnexIVA) in your country? / Yes / x / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please provide the following:
(i) / Specify relevant legislation and its entry into force:
In accordance with Article 41 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006, on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community, the importation of wastes for final disposal is prohibited except from a country party to the Basel Convention, or with an agreement in place or from other areas during situations of crisis or war..
(ii) / Specify country/region and/or waste which would be covered by this restriction:
(iii) / Remarks:
3e / Are there any restrictions on the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery (AnnexIVB) in your country? / Yes / x / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please provide the following:
(i) / Specify relevant legislation and its entry into force:
In accordance with Article 43 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community, the importation of waste for recovery is prohibited except from an OECD Decision country (Decision C(2001) 1007/Final) or a country Party to the Basel Convention or with an agreement in place or from other areas during situations or crisis or war.
(ii) / Specify country/region and/or waste which would be covered by this restriction:
(iii) / Remarks:
3f / Are there any restrictions on the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes through your country? / Yes / x / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
If yes, please provide the following:
(i) / Specify relevant legislation and its entry into force:
Articles 47 & 48 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006, on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community.
(ii) / Specify country/region and/or waste which would be covered by this restriction:
(iii) / Remarks:
4 / Control Procedure of the Transboundary Movement of Waste / Updated?
4a / Are the Notification and Movement document forms of the Basel Convention used and/or accepted in the control of transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes? / Yes / x / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
(i) / If yes, have there been any problems in the usage of the Notification and Movement document forms?
Yes / X / No
If you have encountered any problem, please explain:
(ii) / Provide information on any other forms which are used and/or accepted in the control of transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and other wastes:
The EU regulation governing shipments of waste is Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006. Annexes 1A and 1B of the regulation are the notification and movement documents to be used for shipments of waste.
4b / As a state of import/transit, which is (are) the acceptable language(s) to receive the Notification and Movement document forms? / Yes / x / No
English
4c / Please specify, if there are any additional information requirements in addition to those listed under Annex V (A and B) of the Basel Convention: / Yes / x / No
NA
4d / Is the border control for the purpose of export/import/transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes established? / Yes / x / No
X / Yes / No / In preparation
(i) / Is the Harmonized System on customs control of the World Customs
Organization used?
X / Yes / No / In preparation
(ii) / Remarks:
5 / Reduction and/or Elimination of the Generation of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes / Updated?
Describe measures taken for the reduction and/or elimination of the amount of hazardous wastes and other wastes generated: / x / Yes / No
(i) / National strategies/policies:
Local Authority Waste Management Plans (since 1998)
Responsible: Local authorities
Under the Waste Management Act, 1996 all local authorities are required to prepare and implement a Waste Management Plan. These plans include objectives in relation to prevention and minimization of wastes. They also include objectives in relation to the recovery of waste.
National Hazardous Waste Management Plan
Responsible: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Under the Waste Management Act 1996, the EPA is required to prepare a Hazardous Waste Management Plan for the country. This plan, which was published on 15 September, 2008 and covers the period 2008-2012 has regard to the prevention and minimization of hazardous waste and sets objectives and, where appropriate, targets in relation to the prevention and the minimization of hazardous waste, the minimization of the harmful nature of such waste and the recovery of hazardous waste.
National Waste Prevention Programme
Responsible: Environmental Protection Agency
The National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP) has been running since 2004 and has developed a wide range of prevention initiatives. The National Waste Report provides statistics on all waste streams (including hazardous wastes) to guide policy and target prevention efforts. A Prevention Plan 2009-2012 was published ( in 2009.
A revised National Hazardous Waste Management Plan (NHWMP) was issued in 2008 following review, public consultation and SEA ( This plan places particular emphasis on the prevention, collection and correct management of hazardous waste. Significant NWPP prevention projects include a Green Business Programme ( a Green Hospitality Programme ( a Local Authority Prevention Network ( a Green Healthcare Programme ( in development), a Packaging Waste Prevention Programme ( a Food Waste Prevention/Home Composting Programme ( and a Green Home Programme (
All of these programmes have particular regard to hazardous and biodegradable wastes during waste auditing and characterisation exercises. Specific projects are underway also to implement aspects of the NHWMP including prevention in the pharmachemand health service sectors, collection at civic amenity sites, management of garage and farm HW, producer responsibility and identification of barriers to self-sufficiency in HW treatment.
The EPA enforces the limits on hazardous substances in packaging, electrical equipment (RoHS), batteries, Deco-paints (solvents) and vehicles (ELV) through implementation of statutory Producer Responsibility Initiatives. Implementation of the requirements in relation to PCBs, POPs, ODS and F-gases are also underway.
Striving for more self-sufficiency nationally in the management of Ireland’s hazardous waste, where technically and economically feasible, is a guiding principle behind many of the NHWMP’s recommendations. Projects pursued in this regard by the EPA include completing the study on a National Difficult Waste Facility (incorporating hazardous waste landfill) and the Economic Study of Solvent Recycling and Treatment in the Pharmachem sector in Ireland.
The EPA published annual reports on the NHWMP, the most recently published is for 2009-2010 and can be downloaded from
In 2012 the EPA commenced the process of a review of the NHWMP (including SEA as may be necessary) with a view to establishing a viable national plan for the period 2013-2018.
“Preventing and Recycling Waste: Delivering Change”
The policy statement on the prevention and recycling of waste, Preventing and Recycling Waste: Delivering Change, published in March 2002, addresses in detail the factors and practical considerations that are relevant to the achievement of Government policy objectives for the prevention of waste and for the re-use and recycling of the waste that is produced. The policy statement specifically
- highlights the necessary disciplines that must be imposed within waste
management systems to secure real progress on waste prevention, re-use and
recovery;
- outlines a range of measures that will be undertaken in the interests of
minimising waste generation and ensuring a sustained expansion in re-use and
recycling performance;
-identifies issues and possible actions which require further systematic consideration.
“National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste”
The National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste was published in April 2006 and provides the blueprint to achieve Ireland’s targets for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill in accordance with the requirements of Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste. The Strategy sets out a wide range of integrated measures designed in accordance with the waste hierarchy to support biodegradable waste minimisation and diversion from landfill. Prevention targets have been established to reduce arisings of biodegradable municipal waste that will require subsequent treatment and recovery while ambitious targets for the recycling of waste paper/cardboard and the biological treatment of food and garden wastes have been put in place for both the domestic and commercial sectors over the timeframe of the Strategy. The prevention of biodegradable waste has been integrated into the different projects within the National Waste Prevention Programme including Green Hospitality, Green healthcare and Stopfoodwaste.ie. A range of treatment technologies are also proposed to facilitate the diversion of the organic fraction of residual waste from landfill. The EPA has reviewed all waste licences for landfills mandating them to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste that they are permitted to landfill. The Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009 require the commercial sector, with effect from 1 July 2010, to segregate their food waste and have it transferred for recovery.