The workshop on Strengthening capacities for risk evaluations, submission of notifications of final regulatory action and implementation of the Rotterdam Convention in Asia was successfully held in Beijing from 21 to 23 September 2026. The workshop was jointly organized by the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention and the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific (BCRC China), with financial support from the European Union.

More than 30 participants attended the workshop, including Ms. Christine Fuell, Senior Programme Officer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rotterdam Convention Secretariat, Mr. Jost Dittkrist, Programme Officer, Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention, Mr. José Vicente Tarazona Lafarga, expert from the Carlos III Health Institute of Spain; and representatives of designated national authorities (DNAs) from 16 Asian countries.

Dr. Yuan Chen, Assistant to the Director of BCRC China, moderated the opening session. Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Ruxuan Niu from Department of Solid Wastes and Chemicals, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Ms. Christine Fuell, and Ms. Lili Liu, Assistant Director of BCRC China.

During the technical sessions, Ms. Christine Fuell and Mr. Jost Dittkrist provided systematic introductions to the scope, key provisions and operational mechanisms of the Rotterdam Convention. Mr. José Vicente Tarazona Lafarga delivered presentations on methodologies for risk evaluation of industrial chemicals and pesticides, as well as the role of registration systems in industrial chemicals management. Representatives of DNAs shared their national progress, practical experience and challenges in implementing the Convention, conducting risk evaluations, and preparing and submitting notifications of final regulatory action.

Representatives from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam and Mongolia shared their national experiences, and Mr. Jost Dittkrist presented decabromodiphenyl ether risk evaluation cases from Norway, Canada and Japan. The workshop also included group exercises focusing on industrial chemical and pesticide risk assessment and drafting notifications of final regulatory action.