Organization and targets of the prior informed consent notification scheme. Part I. Development and implementation

The concern about the trade in chemicals has led to the development and adoption of the International code of conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the London guidelines for the exchange of information on chemicals in international trade by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Both codes are voluntary, are addressed largely to governments and industry, and incorporate both practical guidelines and ethical considerations. To ensure the implementation of this principle a prior informed consent (PIC) procedure has been established, which operates in addition to the broader information exchange and export notification provisions. The goal of PIC is to create an international system whereby participating importing countries will obtain information concerning chemicals whose use has been banned or severely restricted in other countries, decide whether to allow, restrict or prohibit future import of such chemicals, and notify other countries on a formal basis of their decision concerning such imports. Exporting countries are then expected to inform their export industry of these decisions and take steps within their authority to ensure that their export industry does not make shipments contrary to the decisions of participating importing countries. A Joint FAO/UNEP group of experts on PIC has been established to develop and provide guidance on the implementation of the PIC procedure.