The United Nations' Basel Convention is considering tighter controls on international shipments of plastic waste, raising concerns about the potential impact on the development of a global circular economy for plastics. At a meeting in Geneva in late June, Norway proposed expanding prior informed consent requirements, arguing that the Convention's 2019 amendments contain ambiguities that allow plastic waste to be misclassified and exported to countries unable to manage it in an environmentally sound manner.

While acknowledging the need to prevent illegal waste trade, many governments and industry stakeholders warned that additional administrative requirements could significantly hinder the legitimate cross-border movement of recyclable plastics. Efficient international trade in quality-assured recycled materials is widely regarded as essential for achieving economies of scale, supporting investment in advanced mechanical and chemical recycling technologies, and enabling recycled feedstocks to reach facilities with the capacity to process them.

Several countries, including China, the United States, Japan and Russia, questioned the need for stricter controls at this stage, arguing that the existing rules should be allowed more time to mature. Industry groups similarly cautioned that excessive restrictions could undermine investment and slow progress towards a more circular global plastics economy. The proposal will now be subject to further consultation before being considered by the Basel Convention's Conference of the Parties next year.

More information on the most recent meeting of the Basel Convention Working Group is available here.