Basel Convention

LATVIA

Status of Ratification/Accession/Acceptance/Approval:	14.04.1992 (a)
Ratification/Acceptance of the Amendment to the Basel Convention:	Not yet as of 20.11.2002

Competent Authority	Focal Point
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development 25, Peldu str., LV-1494, Riga tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail] web site: www.varam.gov.lv

National Definition

There is no national definition of waste and hazardous waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste in Latvia. 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 Latvia 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.

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	No data
	Total amount of other wastesgenerated	No data
Transboundary Movement	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesexported	11 135 ^1)
	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesimported	39 ^2)

* 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 exported under Art. 1 (1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45).

2) Figure refers to the amount of Y29 imported.

Restrictions on Transboundary Movement	Amendment to the Basel Convention The amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) has not been implemented in Latvia.
	Restrictions on export for final disposal and for recovery Latvia has no restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery.
	Restrictions on import for final disposal Latvia restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal. The relevant legislation is the Law on Hazardous Wastes, 30.03.1993. This restriction covers all countries.
	Restrictions on import for recovery Latvia restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery. The relevant legislation is the Law on Hazardous Wastes, 30.03.1993. This restriction covers all countries, except Estonia and Lithuania.
	Restrictions on transit Latvia has no restrictions on the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes.

Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation	Legislation, regulations and guidelines Law on Hazardous Waste, Law on Natural Resource tax.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives Natural resource tax for disposal of hazardous waste.

Disposal/ Recovery Facilities

Disposal facilities Gardene, Auru pagasts, Dobeles rajons, Latvia. Operated by joint stock company BAO, Jelgavas Str., LV-1004, for temporary storage of obsolete pesticides (D15). Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities Lampu demerkurizacijas centrs Ltd, Kapsedes 10, LV-3400, Liepaja, Latvia, for destruction of mercury-containing light bulbs, separation of mercury (R4).

Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements

None.

Technical Assistance and Training Available

The available sources are: Centre of Environmental Science and Management Studies of University of Latvia, 19, Raina blvd, Riga; and Latvian Waste Managements Associations, 21 Aizkraukles Str, Riga.

Basel Convention

Country Fact Sheet