Joint Press Release with the Ministry of the EnvironmentEnforcement Status of the Basel Convention and its Domestic Laws Concerning Import/Export of Specified Hazardous Wastes in 2012

Concerning import/export of hazardous wastes in order to dispose of or recycle them, the Basel Convention Act requires people involved in such import/export to obtain approval from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act; stipulates the confirmation process of the Minister of the Environment for such approval; requires approved people involved in import/export to carry a movement document; and prescribes orders for people involved in import/export to take measures of collection and proper disposal of wastes in cases where they have conducted operation inappropriately.

The amount of exported specified hazardous wastes was 120,466 tons (852 cases), mainly including lead scrap (lead acid batteries), tin-lead dust and lead ash, all of which were exported for metal recovery.

The amount of imported specified hazardous wastes was 9,633 tons (181 cases), mainly including electronic parts scrap, printed circuit board scrap, copper scrap, copper sludge, and battery scrap (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), which were imported for metal recovery.

Number of cases for which administrative orders were issued: None
Number of collected reports: None

For further details, refer to the materials attached in the Japanese press release.

May 30, 2013

Environmental Protection Guidance Office, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau