The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is a global treaty that was adopted in 1989 and became effective on May 5, 1992. The Basel Convention represents a response by the international community to problems caused by the international shipment of wastes. Of the over 400 million tons of hazardous wastes generated globally every year, an unknown amount is subject to transboundary movement. (United States companies were estimated to export about 140,000 tons of hazardous waste in 1993). In the 1980s, several highly publicized "toxic ships" were accused of trying to dump hazardous wastes illegally in developing countries. The uncontrolled movement and disposal of hazardous waste, especially in developing countries which often lacked the know-how and equipment to safely manage and treat hazardous wastes, became a significant problem due to high domestic costs of treating or disposing of wastes.

Through its Secretariat in the...