Basel Convention

QATAR

Status of Ratification/Accession/Acceptance/Approval:	09.08.1995 (a)
Ratification of the Amendment to the Basel Convention:	28.02.2002

Competent Authority	Focal Point
Secretary General The Supreme Council for Environment and Natural Reserves P.O. Box 7634, Doha tel: [phone] and 443-6048 fax: [phone]	The Supreme Council for Environment and Natural Reserves P.O. Box 7634, Doha tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail] [e-mail]

National Definition

The national definition of waste and hazardous waste is in accordance with the Basel Convention. There are no wastes defined as, or considered to be hazardous wastes by national legislation in accordance with Art. 1, para 1(b) of the Basel Convention. Radioactive waste requires special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement.

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	280 ^1)
	Total amount of other wastesgenerated	No data
Transboundary Movement	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesexported	No export
	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesimported	No import

* 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 the total amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1 (1)a (annex I: Y1-Y45).

Restrictions on Transboundary Movement	Amendment to the Basel Convention The amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) has been implemented in Qatar. The country is coordinating with its neighboring countries to implement in the same way through the Kuwait Regional Convention for Cooperation on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution, 1978. Rules have been signed by the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) in this regard on 17 March, 1998.
	Restrictions on export for final disposal Qatar restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal. The relevant legislations are the Rules on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes, 1997, published by the State of Qatar and the relevant protocol under the Kuwait Convention, 1978. The restriction covers Qatar and the signatories of the protocol of the Kuwait Convention. Export of hazardous waste and other wastes will be permitted only if the necessary facilities and technical capacity are not available in Qatar to ensure the disposal of the wastes in question in an environmentally sound manner.
	Restriction on export for recovery Qatar has no restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery. However, the importing country must certify the availability of appropriate facilities for treatment and recovery.
	Restrictions on import for final disposal and for recovery Qatar restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. The relevant legislations are the Rules on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes, 1997 of the State of Qatar and the Kuwait Regional Convention for Cooperation on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution, 1978. The restriction covers Qatar and the signatory states. According to Section 3 of the Rules, the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes into the national territory is prohibited.
	Restrictions on transit Qatar restricts the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes. The relevant legislations are the Rules on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste, 1997. The transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes through the national territory is prohibited except in such cases where a specific approval is obtained form the Supreme Council for Environment and Natural Reserves in the State of Qatar.

Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation	National strategies/policies Industries have been suggested to recycle and re-use wastes wherever possible. Any new industry on operation is required to take a consent to establish as part of EIA procedure.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines The generator would make continuous effort towards minimization of hazardous waste and other wastes and make annual assessment of the efforts for submission to the SCE in Qatar.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Spent catalysts are sold or given to recycling companies; and Waste oils are collected and taken offsite by contractor for recycling.

Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures	National strategies/policies Transboundary movements are prohibited in some specific cases.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines According to the Rules on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste, 1997, transboundary movement is prohibited in the following cases: To any destination south of 60^o S latitude; To any state which has imposed a ban on the import of such wastes; To any state which cannot provide assurance as to its capacity to dispose of such wastes in an environmentally sound manner; and To any state which is not a party to the Basel Convention in the case of a state which is party to a bilateral, multilateral or regional agreement.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Industries/waste generators are following the Rules on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes, 1997.

Disposal/ Recovery Facilities

Disposal facilities Incineration at Halul Island, D11 operations; and Hazardous Waste Treatment Centre Messaiced. These facilities are under implementation. Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities None.

Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements

Protocol on the Control of Marine Transboundary Movements and Disposal of Hazardous Waste and Other Wastes, signed by 8 states (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) on 17 March 1998.

Technical Assistance and Training Available

The available sources are the University of Qatar and Qatar Petroleum.

Basel Convention

Country Fact Sheet