Note of the Czech Republic on the PRTR Task Force 

Prepared for the 2^nd Meeting of the Signatories to the Aarhus Convention, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 3-5 July 2000. 

This note summarises the work of the Aarhus Convention Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) Task Force in preparation for the 2^nd Meeting of Signatories and reflects some of the latest activities of international organisations working in this field. The Note also contains the proposal of the Czech government to establish a Working Group on PRTR to initiate work on development of an internationally approved, legally binding PRTR instrument. 

Characterisation of PRTR Systems

The central premise of a PRTR system is the collection of data on releases and transfers of chemical pollutants in all environmental media - air, water, and land - and on waste management practices. Such systems may include quantitative information about the reuse, recycling and reduction in use of chemicals. The data, which cover individual pollutants from individual industrial facilities, are reported annually on a mandatory basis to national authorities. In addition, PRTR data are standardised by national reporting systems, allowing for comparisons between pollutants, between industrial facilities and processes, and between geographic locations. 

Benefits of PRTR Systems

PRTR systems have proven to be essential features of modern industrial chemical management and a cost-effective tool for reducing environmental and public health risks from the use and release of industrial chemicals. PRTRs successfully promote efficient use of chemicals and lessen the economic liabilities associated with industrial production. PRTRs are widely viewed as crucial tools in national and international efforts to achieve sustainable development. 

The success of PRTR systems is a result of their transparency and simplicity. Public accessibility to PRTR data has promoted the understanding and participation of civil society in decision making favouring sustainable use of chemical resources. Public trust in government decision making is thereby enhanced. 

International Mandate for PRTR Development

Internationally, PRTR systems received a mandate from UNCED in Rio in 1992, in Agenda 21, Chapter 19. To implement this mandate, PRTR development received technical support from OECD as input to the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety, the body set up to oversee and co-ordinate the implementation of Agenda 21, and was further promoted by the UNITAR and other international agencies. 

The AarhusConvention is seeking to link to and support this international work on PRTRs to afford UN/ECE members countries the opportunity to achieve the most significant development of PRTRs on a regional basis to date. The advantage of establishing an Aarhus PRTR protocol is that it could encourage broad participation of Pan-European and other advanced industrial countries in a comprehensive system. 

The most recent activities on behalf of PRTR development were carried out by the International Forum for Chemical Safety Regional Meeting in Budapest, in 18-19May 2000, OECD Seminar on Public Access to Environmental Information, 5-7 June 2000 in Athens, and the Regional Environmental Center Central and Eastern Europe PRTR Workshop, 14-16 June 2000, in Szentendre, Hungary. 

Accomplishments of the PRTR Task Force

In December 1999 the PRTR Task Force distributed a questionnaire to monitor progress on implementation of the Aarhus Convention Article 5, paragraph 9. In February 2000 the Czech Ministry of Environment, together with the UN/ECE, prepared a discussion paper (CEP/WG.5/2000/5 Annex II) for the 1^st Meeting of the Task Force held in Pruhonice-Prague, Czech Republic, and afterwards the Report of the Aarhus Convention PRTR Task Force with annexes. Additionally, an Internet web page (www.ecn.cz/prtr-tf), and a CD archive of basic PRTR documents drawn mainly from UNEP Chemicals, UNITAR, and OECD, were published. Many of these materials appear in English, Russian and French languages. 

Experts at the PRTR Task Force Meeting generally reached consensus on the following points: 

• Legally binding instrument for PRTR systems
• Step-by-step approach to implementation
• More comprehensive PRTR compatible with European PER

It was also proposed that PRTR systems should have 

A discrete list of chemical substances

A mechanism for the addition or deletion of chemicals based on objective criteria

Chemical substances should be reported on a mandatory basis

Substance thresholds which trigger reporting requirements

Facility-based reporting

Chemical reduction targets and measures

Annual reporting frequency

Multimedia approach, including off-site transfers

Limited confidentiality

Active dissemination of reported information

Data structuring and validation 

There was a lack of consensus on the following points:

• Inclusion of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
• Reporting on product stream, energy and water use

The Task Force left for future discussion questions regarding PRTR resources and assistance with implementation of PRTRs. 

Proposal of the Czech Government

The Czech government proposes to the Meeting of Signatories that it 

• Adopt of the Report of the PRTR Task Force as a basis for development of PRTR legally binding instrument under the Aarhus Convention;
• Enlarge the mandate of the PRTR Task Force to that of a Working Group charged with preparation of such a legally binding instrument;
• Invite the participation of additional countries in the Working Group, to increase its representativeness, incorporate needed expert capacities, and secure necessary resources to maintain the Working Group;
• Deepen technical co-operation and encourage bilateral assistance among countries working toward establishment of PRTR systems.

The Czech government is prepared to continue in its role as chair of the PRTR Task Force and future Working Group and would welcome a partnership with an interested UN/ECE member country.