Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers – An International Commitment for the Environment

11-27-2009 12:40

The Protocol was adopted in May 2003 in Kiev, during an extraordinary reunion of the signatory countries of the Convention on information access, public participation at the decision-making process and justice access in terms of environment (Aarhus Convention). The reunion was organised during the 5th Ministry Conference “Environment for Europe” (May 21-23, 2003). The European Community and other 36 countries acceded to this protocol (Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Switzerland, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, UK, Moldova, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Hungary). Slovakia and Albania also adhered to this protocol.
The Protocol was adopted due to the activity of the PRTR Work Group, who prepared the guidelines for the elaboration of the registers and facilitated the exchange of information and experience. In the European Union, the provisions of the Protocol were supported and extended by Regulation no. 166/2006 of January 18, 2006 concerning the creation of a European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR Register) and the amendment of Directives 91/689/CEE and 96/61/CE.
To date, the Protocol was ratified by the European Community and 22 member states. The Protocol entered into force on November 8 only for EC and the first 16 countries who approved it (Albania, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Switzerland, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden). In case of the other six countries who ratified the Protocol (Czech Republic, UK, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Hungary), it will enter into force during October 2009 – January 2010. As for Romania, who ratified the Protocol on August 26, 2009, it will enter into force on November 24, 2009.
Although the official period of approval ended on December 31, 2003, all the UN member states are invited to join,a s well as the regional economic integration organisations with competences in the field.

Information access, a vital requisite for the fight against pollution

The Protocol forces the signatory states to elaborate an annual national register on the emissions and transfer of 86 pollutants, including greenhouse gas, dioxins and heavy metals. The register will allow the identification of the companies who activate in various fields and who exceed the threshold permitted for the use and emission of pollutants and specified waste, as well as diffuse pollution sources, such as transport and agriculture.
The public should have full access to these registers, including on-line. The countries have the obligation to provide access to information at least for the last ten years. At the same time, the authorities are forced to inform the public about the elaboration of the registers and also take into consideration any suggestion presented.
The Protocol stipulates the collaboration of the member states in international actions, for the support of the objectives presented, in the exchange of information and the implementation of the register system. For a better application of the Protocol, periodical reunions will be organised with the representatives of the member states. The first meeting of this kind is scheduled for April 20-22, 2010, in Geneva.

Towards environment democracy

Although the Protocol stipulates the access to information in case of pollution, and not pollution directly, this document hopes to make significant pressures on the companies who, for reasons related to their image, don't want to be mentioned among the main environment pollutants.
This international legislative instrument marks “an important stage towards environment democracy”, said Asha-Rose Migiro, Vice-Secretary General UN. Ján Kubiš, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, sees this Protocol as “an essential tool for the citizens and the public authorities to measure pollution and fight against it”.

Felicia Gheorgieş

Other articles

• A unique signalling system for Europe
• Automotive industry crisis condemns combined traffic to subsistence
• Cost-cutting solutions for CFR Călători. REVA Simeria – new solution on the railway market(… appeared from the lack of funds for railway passenger transport modernisation)
• CER: Romania, last in railway investments. Romanian Government supports the road sector
• Freight transport is more efficient on railways
• “Efficiently combining road and railway transport”
• Engine drivers benefit from European certification
• More investments help crisis recovery
• Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers – An International Commitment for the Environment
• The new environmental law in France: Priority for passenger transport