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EXHIBIT A <br />1. What are the plastic waste amendments to the <br />Basel Convention? <br />The amendments refer to changes to the scope of the plastic wastes <br />covered by the Basel Convention, as decided in May 2019 that will have <br />a significant impact on the rules governing the movement of plastic <br />waste across international boundaries. The changes to the Basel <br />Convention were adopted by its governing body, the Conference of the <br />Parties (COP) in its decision BC -14/12. Through three amendments to <br />the annexes to the Convention, this decision specifies the new <br />categories of plastic waste that will be subject to the Convention's: <br />• control procedure for transboundary movements (Prior informed <br />Consent (PIC) procedure) and the conditions under which this <br />procedure applies or not; <br />• provisions pertaining to waste minimization; <br />• provisions pertaining to the environmentally sound management <br />of wastes. <br />The amendments as such do not imply a ban on the import, transit or <br />export of plastic waste but rather a clarification of when and how the <br />Convention applies to such waste. <br />Through decision BC -14/12, the COP approved the following changes to <br />three annexes to the Convention: <br />• Annex II (waste that requires special consideration: subject to the <br />PIC procedure): addition of new entry Y48 covering all plastic <br />waste, including mixtures of plastic waste, except for the plastic <br />waste covered by entries A3210 (in Annex VIII) and B3011 (in <br />Annex IX); <br />• Annex VIII (waste presumed to be hazardous: subject to the PIC <br />procedure): addition of new entry A3210 covering hazardous <br />plastic waste; <br />• Annex IX (waste presumed to not be hazardous: not subject to the <br />PIC procedure): addition of new entry 83011, replacing current <br />entry B3010 after a specific date, covering plastic waste consisting <br />exclusively of one non -halogenated polymer or resin, selected <br />fluorinated polymers or mixtures of polyethylene, polypropylene <br />and/or polyethylene terephthalate, provided the waste is destined <br />for recycling in an environmentally sound manner and almost free <br />from contamination and other types of wastes. <br />For the entire text of the new entries, see decision BC -14/12. <br />2. When do the new entries become effective? <br />The new entries will be effective as of 1 January 2021. <br />3. Which plastic wastes are currently subject to <br />control under the Basel Convention, i.e. before the <br />entries become effective? <br />Prior to 1 January 2021, plastic waste falls under the scope of the Basel <br />Convention provided they are classified as either: <br />• "Hazardous wastes', namely (a) wastes that belong to any <br />category contained in Annex I (e.g. plastic wastes containing lead <br />or halogenated organic compounds), unless they do not possess <br />any of the characteristics (e.g. ecotoxic) contained in Annex III; <br />and (b) wastes that are not covered under (a) but are defined as, <br />or are considered to be, hazardous wastes by the domestic <br />legislation of the Party of export, import or transit; or <br />• "Other wastes", which include wastes collected from households <br />or residues arising from the incineration of household wastes. <br />4. Which plastic wastes will be subject to the PIC <br />procedure once the new entries become effective? <br />As of 1 January 2021, the new plastic waste entries clarify the scope of <br />control under the Basel Convention for other types of plastic waste and <br />mixtures of plastic waste and the specific conditions under which <br />plastic waste is subject to the PIC procedure. <br />All plastic waste and mixtures of plastic wastes with the exception of <br />waste covered by entry 83011 (see below) will be subject to the PIC <br />procedure. This includes: <br />