International PRTR Coordinating Group

Origins and Objective of the new International Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) Coordinating Group
The overall objective of the International PRTR Coordinating Group is to improve coordination between international organisations, Governments and other interested parties in their ongoing and planned efforts related to the further development and implementation of PRTR systems. The Coordinating Group serves to promote capacity-building for PRTR systems in developing countries and countries with economies in transition through intergovernmental coordination.

The International PRTR Coordinating Group is a successor body to the Inter-Organisational Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) PRTR Co-ordinating Group, which concluded its activities in June 2005. At the concluding meeting of the IOMC PRTR Co-ordinating group, the members agreed to establish a new body to continue to foster interagency dialogue and cooperation.
The International PRTR Coordinating Group further recognised that it might also serve as a reporting mechanism for the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM), in particular to measure progress on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) Action Plan and to analyse trends in national implementation of PRTR systems. Regional SAICM meetings could also provide opportunities for the Coordinating Group to provide information on national developments and promote the exchange of good practice.
The Coordinating Group also promotes synergies between multilateral environmental agreements dealing with pollutants and has contributed information to the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the ad hoc open ended working group on mercury.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and Spain serve on the Bureau of the International PRTR Coordinating Group. The UNECE Aarhus Convention Secretariat also serves as secretariat.
The terms of reference of the International PRTR Coordinating group are available here

 Meetings of the International PRTR Coordinating Group

PRTR as a Reporting Mechanism for Mercury Releases and Transfers  (UNEP(DTIE)/Hg/WG.Prep.1/INF/2)

UNEP Governing Council Decision 25/5 (III) specifically requests that an International Negotiating Committee (INC) be convened with the mandate of developing a global legally binding instrument on mercury. The INC should consider inter alia provisions to reduce atmospheric emissions of mercury, to address compliance, to address mercury containing waste and to increase knowledge through awareness raising and scientific information exchange. The INC should also consider prioritization of the various sources of mercury releases for action, as well as the need to achieve cooperation and coordination with relevant provisions contained in other international agreements and processes.
Specifically looking to a global legally-binding instrument on mercury, PRTRs offer the potential to:

• Enhance and consolidate national mercury emissions inventories;
• Provide reliable information on anthropogenic mercury emissions at the facility, state (regional) and national level;
• Inform on location and quantities (measured and/or estimated) of mercury used and mercury wastes;
• Identify hot-spots on mercury emissions;
• Provide information on emissions trends over the years;
• Facilitate access to updated information on mercury emissions;
• Facilitate stakeholders involvement through the inherent participation of stakeholders in the PRTR development process;
• Assist countries to comply with foreseen reporting requirements of the treaty; and
• Serve as a practical basis from which the effectiveness of voluntary and regulatory actions intended to decrease mercury emissions can be assessed.

Further information on PRTR and mercury may be found in the information document prepared by the International PRTR Coordinating Group for submittal to the Open Ended Working Group on mercury meeting in Bangkok, 19-23 October 2009.  

Aarhus Clearinghouse Resource Directory / PRTRs - English (UNECE)
Kiev Protocol on PRTRs to the Aarhus Convention 

PRTR Learn - English, Russian and Spainish (UNITAR)

Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers - PRTR data centres - English and French(OECD)

PRTR.net - Global portal to Pollutant Release and Transfer information - English, French, Russian, Spanish and German (OECD, UNECE, UNEP, Grid-Arendal)