Rotterdam Convention Advances Methyl-Parathion And Lead Chromates Towards PIC Controls

For methyl-parathion, the Committee finalised a draft decision guidance document and recommended listing the chemical as a pesticide in Annex III. The Conference of the Parties is due to consider that recommendation in Panama City from 19 to 30 April 2027.

Methyl-parathion is already listed for a specified severely hazardous pesticide formulation. The new recommendation concerns its general use as a pesticide. It would therefore expand the potential Convention scope rather than create the first international control of the substance.

For lead chromates, the Committee recommended an Annex III listing but has not yet completed the draft decision guidance document. The group covers lead chromate, lead sulfochromate yellow and lead chromate molybdate sulfate red, which are used as pigments in paints, coatings and plastics. These substances combine hazards associated with lead and hexavalent chromium.

Prior Informed Consent Would Control Trade, Not Impose A Global Ban

Nothing in the CRC.22 outcome immediately prohibits manufacture, sale or use. The Rotterdam Convention does not itself ban Annex III chemicals. If the Conference of the Parties lists a chemical, Parties receive a decision guidance document, importing Parties communicate whether they consent to future imports, and exporting Parties must respect those decisions through national controls.

Existing national restrictions, authorisations, worker-protection measures and waste rules remain unchanged. Exporters must continue applying controls already implemented in the exporting and importing countries. The Committee's recommendations do not replace the European Union Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation, occupational lead and chromium controls, pesticide approvals or product-specific requirements.

Manufacturers and distributors should identify methyl-parathion products and materials containing the three lead chromate pigments, including legacy coatings and specialist colour formulations. Export compliance teams should map countries, national designated authorities, customer uses and current import responses. Coatings and plastics purchasers should obtain substance-level information instead of relying only on colour names.

Foresight analysis: the two recommendations are at different procedural stages. Methyl-parathion could reach a listing decision in April 2027, whereas lead chromates still require a draft guidance document. Treating both as equally imminent would overstate the present legal position. Waiting for final listings could leave exporters without reliable product and destination data.

Practical call to action: Build a substance-to-product and destination map now, while keeping any future PIC controls clearly marked as proposed.