Basel Convention 2002
Country Fact Sheet 2006

Lesotho

Status of Ratifications:
Party to the Basel Convention: / 31.05.2000 (a)
Amendment to the Basel Convention: / -
Basel protocol on Liability and Compensation: /
-

(Accession (a); Acceptance (A); Approval (AA); Formal confirmation (c); Ratification; Succession (d))

Competent Authority
/ Focal Point
National Environment Secretariat
Box 10993
Maseru 100
Lesotho
tel.: +266 22 311767
fax: +266 22 310194
e-mail.:
website: http://www.mtec.gov.ls / Senior Environment Officer
Box 10993
Maseru 100
Lesotho
tel.: +266 22 311767
fax: +266 22 310194
e-mail.:
National Definition / National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste exists in Lesotho.
Waste means hazardous and non-hazardous waste which includes the following substances and any of their combination which are discarded or are accumulated or stored by any person for the purpose of recovery, recycling or disposal:(a) undesirable or superfluous by-products; (b) residue or remainder of any process or activity; (c) any gaseous, liquid or solid matter.
National definition of hazardous waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste exists in Lesotho.
Hazardous waste means waste which has the potential to have significant adverse effect on human health or the environment on account of its inherent chemical and physical characteristics, such as toxicity, flammability, corrosiveness, carcinogenicity or other properties.
There are no wastes defined as, or considered to be hazardous wastes by national legislation in accordance with Art. 1, para 1(b) of the Basel Convention.
In Lesotho there are no wastes other than those pursuant to Art. 1 (1)a and/or Art. 1 (1)b of the Basel Convention that require special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement.
Restrictions on Transboundary Movement / Amendment to the Basel Convention
The amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) has not been implemented in Lesotho.
Restrictions on export for final disposal
Lesotho is in a preparatory process to restrict the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal.
Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Management Draft Bill and Regulations 2005.
Restrictions on export for recovery
Lesotho has no restrictions on the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery.
Restrictions on import for final disposal
Lesotho is in a preparatory process to restrict import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal. Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Management Draft Bill and Regulations 2005.
Restrictions on import for recovery
Lesotho is in a preparatory process to restrict the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery.
Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Management Draft Bill and Regulations 2005.
Restrictions on transit
Lesotho is in a preparatory process to restrict the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste Management Draft Bill and Regulations 2005.
Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation / National strategies/policies
Integrated Waste Management Plan developed and funding being sourced for its implementation.
Legislation, regulations and guidelines
- Development of Hazardous Wastes Management Bill and Regulations in process.
- Draft Toxic & Hazardous Chemicals Bill and Regulations under development.
- Environmental Bill 2007 before the Parliament for finalization.
Economic instruments/ initiatives
Introduction of tax incentives and enforcement of Polluter-Pays-Principle under consideration.
Measures taken by industries/waste generators
Establishment of pretreatment facilities with the purpose of delisting such waste from hazardous status.
Introduction of Cleaner Production Concept under consideration.
Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures / National strategies/policies
None.
Legislation, regulations and guidelines
None.
Economic instruments/ initiatives
None.
Measures taken by industries/waste generators
None.
Disposal/
Recovery Facilities / Disposal facilities
No facilities available
The country does not have landfills except for controlled dumping sites. Detailed environmental Impact studies and the eventual design for the landfill to serve Maseru are underway.
Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities
No facilities available
The country still relies on her neighbor South Africa for recovery facilities.
Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements / -  Regional; African countries; ; Bamako Convention on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Tranboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous wastes within Africa.
Technical Assistance and Training Available / -  Ministry of Tourism, Environment & Culture Box 52 Maseru 100 Lesotho
-  Ministry of Health & Social Welfare Box 514 Maseru 100 Lesotho
-  Ministry of Local Government Box 686 Maseru 100 Lesotho
-  Lesotho Revenue Authority Box 1085 Maseru 100 Lesotho
-  Lesotho Mounted Police Service Box 13 Maseru 100 Lesotho
Data on the Generation and Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Other wastes in 2003 (as reported) / Quantities
(in metric tons)

Generation

/ Amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1(1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45) of BC / No data
Amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1(1)b of BC

Total amount of hazardous wastes generated

/ No data
Amount of other wastes generated (Annex II: Y46-Y47) / No data

Export

/ Amount of hazardous wastes exported / 1,021
Amount of other wastes exported / 0

Import

/ Amount of hazardous wastes imported / 0
Amount of other wastes imported / 0