Research On Trans-boundary Movements Of Hazardous Wastes Under The Basel Convention And Its Framework

While creating much material well-being for mankind,the modern industrialized society also produces various hazardous wastes which cause serious damage to both environment elements such as air,soil,water and human health.On the one hand,the hazardous wastes are extremely harmful,if mishandled,it will pose a major environment threat.On the other hand,environmental regulations in industrialized countries have become increasingly stringent;the cost of disposal of hazardous wastes has also increased.Hazardous wastes being transferred or exported to developing countries is an optimal choice for industrialized countries.However,this "optimal choice" has brought heavy disasters to developing countries.Environmental accidents caused by trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes constantly emerged since1970 s.In order to prevent the developing countries becoming a colony of hazardous wastes of industrialized countries,the international community has begun to adopt a series of global or regional agreements and treaties to suppress the spread of hazardous wastes across the developing world.The Basel Convention is the only global convention which controls trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes.It is not only a great contribution to reduce the risk of trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes,but also focusing on helping developing countries to establish an environmentally management system to dispose hazardous wastes and provide technical assistance.It is an important monument to mankind's solution to global environmental problems.However,the conclusion of the Basel Convention is a process of mutual concession and consultation between the industrialized and developing countries.The Basel Convention inevitably has shortcomings and needs to be improved and complemented.With the increasing of industrialization in China,as “the world factory”,China exported all kinds of products to the world,but remained much wastes generated at home during product manufacturing;in addition,China is also a major hub ofdumping hazardous wastes for other industrialized countries,finally it becomes “the world garbage dump”.As a party to the Basel Convention,China has formed a set of laws and regulations on trans-boundary movement of hazardous wastes in practice.But the deficiencies existed in the legislative system,law enforcement process or liability judgment is worth to be considered and improved.