Basel Convention

OMAN

Status of Ratification/Accession/Acceptance/Approval:	08.02.1995 (a)
Ratification/Acceptance of the Amendment to the Basel Convention:	Not yet as of 20.11.2002

Competent Authority	Focal Point
The Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources Director General of Environmental Affairs P.O. Box 323, Muscat 113 tel: [phone] fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]	Same as the Competent Authority

National Definition

Definition of “waste” and “hazardous waste” is the same: “Waste that maintains its toxic, explosive and combusting properties, or its capability to cause corrosion, or having radiation activity of more than 100 Becquerels per gramme, and which by its nature, formulation, quantities or otherwise poses a risk to human health and life, or to the environment, whether by itself or as a result of its contact with other waste”. (This is the English translation of the official version, which is in Arabic, from the new Royal Decree 114/2001 dated December 2001 and this provides update to the original Law which was issued in 1982). 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 Oman 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	242 098 ^1)
	Total amount of other wastesgenerated	No data
Transboundary Movement	Total amount of hazardous wastesand other wastesexported	1 036
	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 total amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1 (1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45). No data available for the Salalah City areas in the south of Oman.

Restrictions on Transboundary Movement	Amendment to the Basel Convention The amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) has been implemented in Oman.
	Restrictions on export for final disposal and for recovery Oman restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. The relevant legislations are the Law on the Conservation of the Environment and Prevention of Pollution, issued by Royal Decree Number 114/2001 and entered into force in December 2001; and Regulations for the Management of Hazardous Waste, issued by Ministerial Decision Number 18/93 and entered into force on 2nd February 1993. (This provides update to the original Law which was issued in 1982). The restriction covers all countries and all wastes.
	Restrictions on import for final disposal and for recovery Oman restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal and for recovery. The relevant legislations are the Law on the Conservation of the Environment and Prevention of Pollution, issued by Royal Decree Number 114/2001 and entered into force in December 2001; and Regulations for the Management of Hazardous Waste, issued by Ministerial Decision Number 18/93 and entered into force on 2nd February 1993. (This provides update to the original Law which was issued in 1982). The restriction covers all countries and all wastes.
	Restrictions on transit Oman has no restrictions on the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes.

Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation	National strategies/policies Ongoing Remedial Action Master plans in respect of hazardous waste treatment and recycling of hazardous organic solvents from pharmaceutical manufacturing and crude oil industry wastes. Cleaner production technology and waste minimization plan is now required at industrial development planning stage in issuing clearance for environmental permit.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines Regulations for the Management of Hazardous Waste; Oilfield Production Water Management Plan; Master Plan for Groundwater Pollution Protection; and Law on Protection of Sources of Potable Water from Pollution.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives Self-driven economics related to cost saving and re-use benefits in preference to disposal costs.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators Reed bed technology experiments have now led to the full scale pilot project for the removal of hydrocarbons and heavy metals from oilfield production water. Cyanide based gold extraction process – all tailings are press dried and filtrate is recycled. Dry Press cake is deposited in securely lined dam. Constant monitoring programme is in place with over 100 sample analyses per month.
	Others Saponification plant set up to convert waste cooking oil into soap.

Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures	National strategies/policies Direct monitoring and control by the Competent Authority which is also the National Regulatory Body for Environmental Affairs. A full Department is tasked with waste management and control as well as pollution prevention. Regular and random site inspections take place all over the country. A national Hazardous Waste Management Project is currently being developed so as to collect, transport, treat and dispose of all hazardous waste arising in Oman that will require disposal. This is expected to be operating by 2004. It is expected that the cost of waste treatment and disposal will create reduction of generated quantities. Initial tender bids for the project are invited early 2002. Completion stage anticipated by 2004.
	Legislation, regulations and guidelines Regulations for the Management of Hazardous Waste.
	Economic instruments/ initiatives Financial penalties for violation of environmental law.
	Measures taken by industries/waste generators There are indications of in-house house waste minimization activities now starting to take place due to impending charges for hazardous waste reception, treatment and disposal as part of the forthcoming national hazardous waste management project.

Disposal/ Recovery Facilities

Disposal facilities Oman Mining Company, cyanide based (dried) tailings from gold extraction, landfill (secure storage), tailings dam (D5); and lined evaporation ponds for electrolyte slurries for copper refining and cyanide bleed streams (D4); Petroleum Development of Oman Company, hazardous waste management facilities for chemical waste (D5) and oil contaminated soil (D2 followed by D1); Oman Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Company, chemical sludges and residues from pharmaceutical manufacture, secure storage (D15); and Oman Liquefied Natural Gas Company, hazardous waste management facilities for chemical and industrial waste, secure storage (D15). All hazardous waste arising in Oman are monitored by the competent authority on a constant basis. All data is recorded in the national hazardous waste database. Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities None.

Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements

The Kuwait Regional Convention for Cooperation on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution has been signed in March 1998 between Oman, Kuwait and all Gulf States of the Arabian Gulf Region Seas. All categories of hazardous wastes in accordance with the Annexes of the Basel Convention, with special focus on marine impacts are covered.

Technical Assistance and Training Available

The available source is: Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources, Director General of Environmental Affairs.

Basel Convention

Country Fact Sheet