28 July 1988

40th plenary meeting

Traffic in toxic and dangerous products and wastes

The Economic and Social Council,

Taking into account General Assembly resolution 42/183 of 11 December 1987,

Noting that the preliminary report of the Secretary-General on illegal traffic in toxic and dangerous products and wastes indicates a trend of increased international traffic in toxic and dangerous products and wastes, which in most cases has tended to flow from developed to developing countries,

Concerned that part of this traffic is carried out in contravention of existing national legislation and relevant international instruments,

Emphasizing the urgent need for all States to transmit pertinent information requested by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme in response to General Assembly resolution 42/183,

Taking into account the increase in this traffic as reported by various organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and the international media,

Deeply concerned at the rising incidence of dumping of toxic wastes in many countries, particularly in the developing countries,

Considering the potential danger to the health of the population and to the environment of all States posed by toxic and dangerous products and wastes,

1. Requests the Secretary-General, in preparing his report to the General Assembly at its forty-fourth session, to draw on information provided by the United Nations Environment Programme and other organizations of the United Nations system, in line with internationally accepted guidelines and principles, and to focus on the following:

(a) A quantitative and geographical assessment, by region of origin and of destination, of the illegal traffic in toxic and dangerous products and wastes;

(b) A classification of types of toxic and dangerous products and wastes according to their nature, their potential toxicity and the probability of their being traded or dumped;

2. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit conclusions and recommendations on different mechanisms that can be devised to monitor and control the illegal traffic in toxic and dangerous products and wastes;

3. Further requests the Secretary-General to increase his efforts to obtain information on illegal traffic in toxic and dangerous wastes and on steps taken to eliminate or reduce this type of traffic.