New EU Regulation, Basel Convention, Hong Kong Convention
Agreement reached with the European Parliament on the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, heralding it as an important instrument to achieve the safe and environmentally sound recycling of EU ships at end-of-life.
This new regulation will establish a list of EU approved ship recycling facilities requiring high standards to ensure that EU flagged ships are properly recycled and that waste materials contained therein are properly managed throughout the recycling process, preventing negative environmental impacts while also safeguarding the health of workers in the facilities.
The EU regulation is the first legislative instrument adopted at regional level in respect of this significant waste stream containing hazardous substances.
Apart from the Regulation of the EU Parliament and Council on ship recycling, there are already regulations related to end-of-life ships as follows:
- TheEuropean Waste Shipment Regulation (2006) prohibits the export of hazardous waste, including ships, from the EU to non-OECD countries.
- TheBasel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal (UNEP, 1992) applies to ship dismantling because ships contain hazardous materials such as asbestos, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, oil residues and other toxic substances.
- TheHong Kong Convention (International Maritime Organisation, 2009) introduces requirements on worker safety and training, protection of human health and the environment; and emergency preparedness and response in ship recycling, but has not entered into force yet.
- TheUK Ship Recycling Strategy (Defra, 2007) contains guidelines (but not regulations) on ship recycling for Government-owned or UK-flagged commercial vessels.
For more information on Waste Shipments, please visit relevent EU webpage by clicking here
