Basel Convention

AUSTRIA

Status of Ratification/Accession/Acceptance/Approval:	12.01.1993 (r)
Acceptance of the Amendment to the Basel Convention:	17.10.1999

Competent Authority	Focal Point
Federal Ministry of Environment, Youth and Family Affairs Department VI/1 A-1010, Stubenbastei 5, Vienna tel: [phone] fax: [phone] or 3003 e-mail: [e-mail]	Federal Ministry of Environment, Youth and Family Affairs Department VI/1 A-1010, Stubenbastei 5, Vienna tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]

National Definition

Definition of waste is in line with EU Regulation 74/442/EEC (Article 1). For the purposes of this Directive: (a) "waste" means any substance or object which the holder disposes of or is required to dispose of pursuant to the provisions of national law in force; (1)OJ No C 32, 11.2.1975, p. 36. (2)OJ No C 16, 23.1.1975, p. 12. (3)OJ No C 112, 20.12.1973, p. 3. The definition of hazardous waste is laid down in Annex I of the Ordinance on Hazardous Wastes (Fed. Law Gaz. II 1997/227, as amended by Fed. Law Gaz. II 2000/178). The text can be obtained via Internet: http://lebensministerium.at using the links: “umwelt”, “abfall”, “abfallrecht”, “verordnungen”. Any waste not listed in Annex II of the EU Regulation 259/93/EC is subject to a control procedure in case of transboundary movements destined for recycling (text available via Internet: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/lif/dat/1993/en_393R0259.html). Any waste is subject to a control procedure in case of transboundary movements destined for final disposal. The shipment of any waste not listed in Annex II of the EU Regulation 259/93/EC is subject to a notification procedure.

Data* on the Generation and Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes** and Other Wastes*** in 2000 (as reported)

		Quantities (in metric tonnes)
Generation	Total amount of hazardous wastesgenerated	980 558 ^1)
	Total amount of other wastesgenerated	179 294 ^2)
Transboundary Movement	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesexported	113 813
	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesimported	27 717

^* Figures are rounded to the nearest integer.

** Covers wastes under Art. 1 (1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45) and Art. 1 (1)b.

*** Covers wastes under (Annex II: Y46-Y47).

1) Figure refers to total amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1 (1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45).

2) Figure refers to the total amount of residues arising from the incineration of household wastes (Y47).

Restrictions on Transboundary Movement	Amendment to the Basel Convention The ban is implemented via EU-Legislation (Shipment Regulation 259/93/EC as amended by OJ L 022 24.01.1997 p.14 and OJ L 316 10.12.1999 p.45; Article 16). Austria ratified the two amendments to the Basel Convention (III/1 and IV/9) in 1999 (Fed. Law Gaz.III 2000/6). The amendments became effective October 26^th 1999.
	Restrictions on export for final disposal Austria restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal. The relevant legislation is the Federal Waste Management Plan 1998, which statutes the principle of self sufficiency for final disposal. Based on this principles objections are raised in case of exports for final disposal provided there is a suitable disposal option in Austria. (30 June 1998). In line with the EU Regulation 259/93/EC final disposal is allowed only within the European Economic Area (EEA). This restriction covers all non-EEA member countries.
	Restriction on export for recovery Austria restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery. The export of hazardous wastes in accordance with Council Decision 94/904/EC and of wastes listed in Annex V of the Shipment Regulation (295(93/EC) for recycling is allowed only to Countries applying OECD Council Decision C92(39) FINAL (amendment of the Shipment Regulation OJ L 022 24.01.1997 p.14 and OJ L 316 10.12.1999 p.45). This restriction covers all countries not applying the OECD Council Decision C92(39) FINAL.
	Restrictions on import for final disposal Austria restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal. The relevant legislation is the Federal Waste Management Plan 1998, which statutes the principle of self sufficiency for final disposal. Based on this principles objections can be raised in case of imports for final disposal provided there is no sufficient capacity for domestic wastes in Austria. (30 June 1998).
	Restrictions on import for recovery Austria has no restrictions on the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery.

Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation	National strategies/policies No new measures taken in 1999 and onwards.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines No new measures taken in 1999 and onwards.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives No new measures taken in 1999 and onwards.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Not available.
	Others Not available.

Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures	National strategies/policies The Federal Waste Management Plan 1998 statutes the principle of self sufficiency for final disposal. Based on this principles objections are raised in case of exports for final disposal provided there is a suitable disposal option in Austria. (30. June 1998).
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines Same as above.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives Not available.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Not available.
	Others Not available.

Disposal/ Recovery Facilities

A list could be obtained from: Federal Environment Agency, A-1090 Spittelauer Lände 5, Vienna. Or on the Internet: http://www.ubavie.gv.at/umweltsituation/abfall/gabfall/toc.htm (where a register of all licensed disposer can be found); and http://www.ubavie.gv.at/umweltregister/abfallwirt_anlagendb/toc.htm (where a data base of the existing disposal facilities is available).

Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements

No new agreements concluded in 1999 and onwards.

Technical Assistance and Training Available

Information could be obtained from: Federal Environment Agency, A-1090 Spittelauer Lände 5, Vienna Or via the Internet: http://www.ubavie.gv.at/umweltsituation/abfall/wegweiser/toc.htm

Basel Convention

Country Fact Sheet