The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal is an international treaty designed to reduce the movement of hazardous waste between nations, specifically to prevent its transfer from developed to less developed countries. Whether used electronic equipment for repair or refurbishment is considered hazardous waste and other such questions regarding import and export controls were discussed by the Parties to the Convention. However the working group believed that untested material may contain hazardous parts that need replacement as part of the repair process. The Convention was adopted on March 22, 1989 and enforced on May 5, 1992.

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