Large amounts of post-consumer wastes such as electronic wastes are being exported from Europe to Asia.

Many exports take place with the alleged intent of re-use or recycling but often result in residual hazardous materials being disposed of in an environmentally unsound manner.

Many exports are illegal and in violation of the Basel Convention, or the EU Waste Shipments Regulation.

Awareness raising concerning existing laws and illegal traffic is needed among various stakeholders.

Cooperation is necessary between exporting and importing States.

Definition: To Partner with the Asia Network and local Basel Convention Regional Centre/s or other suitable co-sponsor to:

• Raise awareness of the problem and impacts of waste shipments arriving in Asian destinations in contravention of the Basel Convention and TFS Regulation.
• Establish a simple but robust contact regime so as to better deal with illegal traffic –through National Contact Points

• Begin to build better communication between customs, police and environmental authorities in all affected countries.
• Share experiences between the IMPEL TFS programme in Europe and the experience in Asia.

• Clarify the national laws and requirements of respective importing and IMPEL-TFS cluster exporting States for waste imports and exports, and to make these requirements available to all National Contact Points.
• Arrange exchange visits and participation in IMPEL TFS training/inspection projects

Participants: At least 2 MS participating and chosen at annual NCP meetings-preferably initially MS who have major trade with Asia

Proct team: NCP Network

Start: January 2010

Final report: December 2011