ROTTERDAM CONVENTION ON THE PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT PROCEDURE FOR CERTAIN HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE RATIFICATION AND ENFORCEMENT ACT

What Is This Policy?

An Act incorporating the Rotterdam Convention into Nigerian law, obliging Nigeria to apply Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedures when trading in hazardous chemicals and severely restricted pesticides listed under the Convention.

Who Does It Target?

Importers and exporters of listed hazardous chemicals and pesticides Federal Ministry of Environment as the Designated National Authority Pesticide and chemical manufacturers and distributors NESREA and NAFDAC as enforcement agencies

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

To prevent importation of banned or severely restricted chemicals into Nigeria without the government's informed consent, protect Nigerian workers and the environment from chemical hazards, and promote responsible international chemical trade.

Key Features

PIC Procedure: Importing Nigeria must give explicit consent before any listed chemical may be exported to it. Designated National Authority: The Federal Ministry of Environment receives PIC notifications and coordinates government responses. Import Decision: Nigeria's decision to allow, restrict, or refuse import of each listed chemical is communicated to the Convention Secretariat. Information Sharing: Exporters must provide complete safety and regulatory information with each shipment. Penalties: Importing or exporting listed substances without PIC compliance is an offence under Nigerian law.

Current Status

In force. Administered by the Federal Ministry of Environment through NESREA, with Prior Informed Consent procedures applied to listed hazardous chemicals and pesticides in all Nigerian import and export transactions.

Importers of listed chemicals must notify the Designated National Authority before shipment Exporters provide full safety information to accompany each consignment Import applications submitted to the Federal Ministry of Environment for decision Application method: Federal Ministry of Environment (Rotterdam Convention focal point), Abuja

Important Terms

Shipments arriving without prior consent are subject to refusal and return at exporter's cost False documentation of chemical identity is a criminal offence Nigeria's import decisions are binding on customs authorities at all ports

Official Resources

Website: www.environment.gov.ng / www.pic.int Policy Summary Document | Federal Republic of Nigeria

Legal Framework

Enacted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. Gives domestic legal effect to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (1998) as ratified by Nigeria. Operates alongside the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act 2007 and the Harmful Waste Act.