Memorandum

Data on the Generation and Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Other wastes in 2003 (as reported)		Quantities (in metric tons)
Generation	Amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1(1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45) of BC
	Amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1(1)b of BC
	Total amount of hazardous wastes generated	Not reported
	Amount of other wastes generated (Annex II: Y46-Y47)	Not reported
Export	Amount of hazardous wastes exported	Not reported
	Amount of other wastes exported	Not reported
Import	Amount of hazardous wastes imported	Not reported
	Amount of other wastes imported	Not reported

Basel Convention 2002
Country Fact Sheet 2003

Panama

Status of Ratifications:
Party to the Basel Convention:	22.02.1991
Amendment to the Basel Convention:	07.10.1998
Basel protocol on Liability and Compensation:	-

(Accession (a); Acceptance (A); Approval (AA); Formal confirmation (c); Ratification; Succession (d))

Competent Authority	Focal Point
Ministerio de Salud Calle Gorgas, Ancon, Building 265 P.O. Box 2048, Panamá 1 Panamá Telephone: [phone] or 212 92 71 or 212 94 12 Telefax: (507) 212 92 86 or 212 94 87 E-Mail: [e-mail] Website:	Funcionario de la Subdirección de Salud Ambiental Ministerio de Salud, Calle Gorgas, Ancon, Building 265, P.O. Box 2048, Panamá 1 Panamá Telephone: [phone] or 212 92 86 Telefax: (507) 212 92 86 or 212 94 87 E-Mail: [e-mail] Website:

National Definition

National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste exists in Panama. Desecho : Material generado o remanente de los procesos productivos o de consumo que no es utilizable. Ley 41 de 1 de julio de 1998. National definition of hazardous waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste exists in Panama. Desecho Peligrosos : Desecho o residuo que afecta la salud humana, incluyendo los clasificados como peligrosos en los convenios internacionales ratificados por la Republica de Panamá o leyes o normas especiales. Ley 41 de 1 de julio de 1998. 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. In Panama there are no wastes other than those pursuant to Art. 1 (1)a and/or Art. 1 (1)b of the Basel Convention that require special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement.

Restrictions on Transboundary Movement	Amendment to the Basel Convention The amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) has been implemented in Panama.
	Restrictions on export for final disposal Panama restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal. Luego de la Ratificación del Convenio de Basilea por medio de la Ley 21 de 6 de diciembre de 1990, quedó establecido que toda exportación de Desechos Peligrosos requiere de la autorización del Ministerio de Salud para así cumplir con los requisitos establecidos en el Convenio y su enmienda. La ley 13 de 21 de abril de 1995, ratifica el acuerdo regional Centroamericano sobre Movimiento Transfronterizo de Desechos Peligrosos, con el fin de prohibir la importación de desechos peligrosos hacia Centroamérica desde Países que no sean parte de este acuerdo.
	Restrictions on export for recovery Panama has no restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery.
	Restrictions on import for final disposal Panama restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal. Act No. 8 of 7 June 1991, which prohibits the importation of toxic or pollutant wastes into the territory of the Republic of Panama; and the Act No. 13 of 21 April 1995, Regional Agreement on Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes, which covers Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
	Restrictions on import for recovery Panama restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery. Act No. 8 of 7 June 1991, which prohibits the importation of toxic or pollutant wastes into the territory of the Republic of Panama.
	Restrictions on transit Panama restricts the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes. La Ley 8 de 7 de junio de 1991, prohíbe la importación de Desechos Tóxicos o Contaminantes al territorio de la Republica de Panamá, en esta se establece además la prohibición del transito internacional de desechos peligrosos vía terrestre por el territorio nacional. The overland transit of hazardous and other wastes is banned in Panama, and they are subject to registration and control in order to transit the Panama Canal.

Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation

National strategies/policies La gestión de los Desechos Peligrosos están contemplado dentro del Plan de Acción Nacional sobre Salud Ambiental en el Desarrollo Humano Sostenible en nuestro país. Legislation, regulations and guidelines Framework Law on the Management of Hazardous Wastes, which includes articles on waste minimisation. In preparation legislation.

Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures

National strategies/policies None.

Disposal/ Recovery Facilities

Disposal facilities 1-Cerro Patacon sanitary landfill; Sanitary landfill for non-hazardous wastes; D1 2-Boquete sanitary landfill; Sanitary landfill for non-hazardous wastes; D1 3-Portobelo and Santa Isabel sanitory lanfdfill; Sanitary landfill for non-hazardous wastes; D1 4-Servicios Tecnológicos de Incineración; Incineración; D10 5-Incinerador de Amador; Incineración; D10 Note: Fillings (Boquete sanitary landfill land Protobelo and Santa Isabel sanitary landfill) have a life duration period of 15 years. Cerro Patacon sanitory landfil receives 1200 tons daily and has a life duration period until 2007. 4,5;6 (Estos incineradores prestan el servicio de incineración de desechos a embarcaciones internacionales como parte del servicio del país y en cumplimiento de MARPOL. 4 ( Este incinerador esta autorizado para la incineración de desechos peligrosos pero bajo supervisión de la autoridad competente entre los desechos están medicamentos vencidos, sustancias controladas etc. pero solamente las generadas por el país.) Municipality Directorate for Urban and Household Sanitation and Non-Hazardous Wastes Section of the Ministry of Health.

Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities Panama refinery; Refining of petroleum and its derivatives; R9 Eco-Klean S.A.; Processing of waste oil; R9 Derivados de Petroleo S.A.; Industry for asphalt emulsion; R1 Procesos y Analisis Metalogicos, S.A.; Processing and analysis of metals (PB); R4 Cemex; Processing of used oils and plastic pesticides containers to be used as alternative fuel in cement factories; R1, R9 Panama refinery is about to close down. The areas polluted by this process are being sanitized.

Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements

Regional Agreement on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes; Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama; 21.04.1995 -; Ban on importation from non-Party countries.

Technical Assistance and Training Available

No assistance available.