Basel Convention

MAURITIUS

Status of Ratification/Accession/Acceptance/Approval:	24.11.1992 (a)
Ratification/Acceptance of the Amendment to the Basel Convention:	Not yet as of 20.11.2002

Competent Authority	Focal Point
Department of Environment Ministry of Environment Barracks Street, Port Louis tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail] website: Environment.gov.mu	Director, Department of Environment Barracks Street, Port Louis tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]

National Definition

There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste in Mauritius. According to the Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous Wastes) Regulations 2001, which came into force on 1 April 2002, “hazardous waste” means any waste specified in the third column of the First Schedule (See Attachment) in respect of the corresponding waste stream specified in the second column of that Schedule; or having as constituents one of the substances specified in the Second Schedule (See Attachment), and displaying any of the hazardous properties specified in the Third Schedule (See Attachment). Mauritius regulates/controls additional wastes as hazardous that are not included in Art. 1 (1)a of the Basel Convention and would be controlled for the purpose of transboundary movements pursuant to Art. 1 (1)b. These wastes are radioactive wastes. In Mauritius 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 not been implemented in Mauritius.
	Restrictions on export for final disposal and for recovery Mauritius restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. The relevant legislation is the Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous Wastes) Regulations 2001, which came into force on 1 April 2002. No person shall export hazardous waste without the approval in writing of the enforcing agency, which according to the Environment Protection Act 2002 is the Ministry responsible for the subject of Local Government.
	Restrictions on import for final disposal and for recovery Mauritius prohibits the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. The relevant legislation is the Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous Wastes) Regulations 2001, which came into force on 1 April 2002.
	Restrictions on transit Mauritius restricts the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes. Transit may be allowed subject to prior notification.

Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation	National strategies/policies According to the Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous wastes) Regulations 2001, which came into force on 1 April 2002, a hazardous waste generator shall minimize the generation of a hazardous waste by using the best practicable means; The law requires new undertakings with significant environment impacts to go through the EIA process; Introduction of sulphur-reduced diesel since 2001 and unleaded petrol as from September 2002; and The revised solid waste management strategy plan adopted in 2002 places topmost priority to waste minimisation.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous wastes) Regulations 2001; Standards for air (ambient air quality and emissions); and Guidance notes for the implementation of Environment Protection (Standards for Hazardous Wastes) Regulations 2001.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives Fines for illegal dumping and penalties to non-compliance to standards and regulations.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Industries are making efforts to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals.
	Others None.

Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures

None.

Disposal/ Recovery Facilities

Disposal facilities Mare Chicose landfill. It is a sanitary landfill for receiving municipal solid wastes. It has a special cell designed for accepting only solid hazardous waste, in discreet quantities (D5); and Hospitals and clinics, incineration on land for medical waste (D10). No treatment and disposal facility is yet in place locally for liquid hazardous wastes. Generators of such wastes are requested to safely store their liquid hazardous wastes pending a safe disposal facility is in operation. The construction of a national warehouse for hazardous wastes and a hazardous waste complex comprising of pre-treatment and incineration facilities are expected to be operational by 2004 and 2007 respectively. Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities None.

Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements

Regional agreement: Bamako Convention on the Ban of Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes Within Africa, effective from 1992. It covers all hazardous wastes including radioactive materials.

Technical Assistance and Training Available

None.

ATTACHMENTS

FIRST SCHEDULE