This document discusses the transfer of hazardous products and waste from developed to developing countries due to less strict regulations. It presents facts about electronic waste, pharmaceutical waste, and laws in the Philippines and Basel Convention regulating hazardous materials. In response to whether risk justifies transfer, it argues transfer is justified when risks are not prohibited, it benefits both countries, and developing countries can regulate. It also argues this activity should be regulated because countries have waste laws, but developed countries exploit weaknesses in developing countries like technology, awareness, culture, data, and finances.
This document discusses the transfer of hazardous products and waste from developed to developing countries due to less strict regulations. It presents facts about electronic waste, pharmaceutical waste, and laws in the Philippines and Basel Convention regulating hazardous materials. In response to whether risk justifies transfer, it argues transfer is justified when risks are not prohibited, it benefits both countries, and developing countries can regulate. It also argues this activity should be regulated because countries have waste laws, but developed countries exploit weaknesses in developing countries like technology, awareness, culture, data, and finances.
This document discusses the transfer of hazardous products and waste from developed to developing countries due to less strict regulations. It presents facts about electronic waste, pharmaceutical waste, and laws in the Philippines and Basel Convention regulating hazardous materials. In response to whether risk justifies transfer, it argues transfer is justified when risks are not prohibited, it benefits both countries, and developing countries can regulate. It also argues this activity should be regulated because countries have waste laws, but developed countries exploit weaknesses in developing countries like technology, awareness, culture, data, and finances.
2: 1. To what extent do differences in perception of risk justify the transfer of such merchandise and production processes to other countries?
2. Is this an activity that can or should be
regulated? Background › In some technologically advanced nations, a number of industries that have found themselves restricted by safety regulations have resorted to dumping their products on-or moving their production processes to-less developed countries where higher risks are tolerated. Problem › To what extent do differences in perception of risk justify the transfer of such merchandise and production processes to other countries? › Is this an activity that can or should be regulated? Presentation of Facts › Electronic Wastes – It is legal to export discarded goods to poor countries if they can be reused or refurbished, much is being sent to Africa or Asia under false pretenses. Much is falsely classified as 'used goods' although in reality it is non-functional. › Pharmaceutical Waste – Once companies have secured contracts they sell drugs that are banned or restricted in other countries, and dump drugs on Third World markets whose expiration dates are near. › Philippine Law – restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use and disposal of chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk and/or injury to health or the environment – prohibit the entry, even in transit, of hazardous and nuclear wastes and their disposal into the Philippine territorial limits for whatever purpose; and to provide advancement and facilitate research and studies on toxic chemicals. › International Treaty – the Basel Convention, is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous wastes between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries Answer to Questions › To what extent do differences in perception of risk justify the transfer of such merchandise and production processes to other countries? – Risks is not prohibited any Law – Beneficial to both countries – When the third world countries (TWCs) have the means to regulate merchandises or operations of first world countries to TWCs. – When developed countries follow the law TWCs regarding their waste disposal and other environmental concerns. – When merchandises meet the set standards of developing countries regarding the toxic contents of the products. – When importing of merchandises and transfer of operations to developing countries would give jobs to TWCs. Answer to Questions › Is this an activity that can or should be regulated? – YES, it should be regulated because every county if not all set laws and regulations about waste management. – However, developed countries grab the opportunity to dump their wastes to third world countries because of the following reasons: › Lack of technology on waste management › Lack of awareness of the citizens › Culture of third world countries › Poor data collection and record keeping › Poor medical services both in terms of quality and availability Diverse locations › Financial constraints at the national and individual level
Pesticides and Environmental Incidents: Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade