National Hazardous Waste Management Policy, 2022

The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 is supplemented by the National Hazardous Waste Management Policy, 2022. This policy was formulated to create a framework for the implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal at a national level. The policy is to be implemented with the adoption of an action plan by the federal government in close consultation with the provincial governments, and the establishment of a National Implementation Committee, a Technical Committee on Hazardous Waste, and a Central Directorate for “Chemical & Waste” to oversee progress.

The policy adopts a life cycle approach to the management of hazardous waste from its generation to disposal in an environmentally sound manner.

While the import of hazardous waste into Pakistan for disposal is prohibited, the policy permits such import for reuse, recycle, recovery and co-processing in a manner which ensures the protection of human health and the environment. In addition, the policy prohibits the export of hazardous waste to those countries which have prohibited the import of such waste.

The policy also envisages the preparation and adoption of technical guidelines for the reuse, recycle, treatment and disposal of each kind of hazardous waste subjected to the Basel Convention. It places the responsibility of final disposal of waste in an acceptable manner on the waste generators. 

In addition, the policy sets out policy goals for developing fiscal and financial incentives to achieve the environmentally sound management of hazardous waste.

Want to know more about this policy ? Learn more