--- title: Audit, Compliance and Risk Blog | STP | International (2) description: International | STP's blog giving insight into audit, compliance and risk issues for EHS, business and accounting. (2) --- [![Specialty Technical Publishers](https://blog.stpub.com/hubfs/STP-logo-white-orange.png)](http://www.stpub.com/) - [My Account](http://stponline.stpub.com) - 1-800-251-0381 # Audit, Compliance and Risk Blog ## [Hazardous Waste Regulations for International Shipments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/175614/Hazardous-Waste-Regulations-for-International-Shipments) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Wed, Apr 03, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-27409336-jpg/images/barrells.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/175614/Hazardous-Waste-Regulations-for-International-Shipments) Within the U.S., the principal hazardous waste management law is the **Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976** (formally codified as Subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA)). The **US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)** sets national standards and directly administers RCRA in some states, while state environmental protection agencies administer RCRA and their state acts when authorized by EPA to do so. For domestic activities – including shipments of [hazardous waste](http://www.stpub.com/federal-toxics-program-commentary) from a generator to a recycler or treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facility, that’s enough to know to start [compliance](http://www.stpub.com/environmental-compliance-a-simplified-national-guide-online). **But if your U.S. organization imports or exports hazardous wastes, you need to know that RCRA incorporates requirements driven by US participation in international treaty  - and membership-based organizations. Alternatively, if you’re a non-U.S. reader you may recognize the following elements in your own national requirements.** ### **Exports Consistent with the OECD Agreement** The most relevant international agreement is from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – its 1992 “Decision C(92)39/FINAL Concerning the Control of Transfrontier Movements of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations (OECD Decision)”, as amended. EPA’s RCRA regulations include specific provisions governing “Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste for Recovery Within the OECD.” (40 CFR §§ 262.80 – 262.89). As an exception to this coverage, separate rules provide similar requirements for exports to Canada and Mexico (under North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), even though they're also OECD members) (40 CFR §§ 262.80 – 262.89). EPA revises these rules from time to time (most recently in 2010). **The following requirements apply to exports to Canada or Mexico** (and to non-OECD countries covered by separate treaties with the U.S.): (1) The “primary exporter” (typically the generator) provides EPA with a written notification of intent to export, at least 60 days prior to the first shipment. This notification must be in writing, signed by the primary exporter, and include the following information: - Name, mailing address, telephone number and EPA ID number of the primary exporter - The following information, by consignee, for each hazardous waste type: (2) The receiving country consents to accept the waste. (3) A copy of an “EPA Acknowledgement of Consent” accompanies the shipment and, unless export takes place by rail, is attached to the manifest. (4) The shipment conforms to the terms of the receiving country’s written consent. (5) The shipment complies with RCRA manifest requirements (including the field for international shipments), modified to provide the address of the receiving consignee and alternate instead of facility, and to add the following to the certification of the shipment “and conforms to the terms of the attached EPA Acknowledgment of Consent.” The primary exporter must notify EPA if the alternate consignee is used. If other problems arise, the primary exporter files an exception report with EPA; this follows requirements for domestic shipments, except that reports are filed with EPA Headquarters. Exporters must file an annual report with EPA summarizing the types, quantities, and destinations of all hazardous waste exported. Records must be retained for at least three years. **Exports to another OECD country** instead must meet similar RCRA regulations designed to ensure consistency with OECD requirements. These include incorporation of OECD’s distinction between “Green Wastes” (wastes that present low risk for human health and the environment and, therefore, are not subject to any other controls than those normally applied in commercial transactions) and “Amber Wastes” (wastes presenting sufficient risk to justify their control). These RCRA regulations regulate as hazardous each waste that is a RCRA hazardous waste and/or an Amber waste not otherwise regulated as hazardous, and regulate Green Wastes as non-hazardous. These rules include notifications to EPA and consent by the receiving country similar to those described above, use of a “movement document” analogous to RCRA’s Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, and requirements for a contract for transportation and management of the wastes. Exported wastes are to be managed in compliance with the receiving country’s requirements for these activities. ### **Basel Convention Considerations** In addition to OECD’s provisions, 172 nations and the European Union have ratified the 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention). OECD revised its Decision in 2001 to align with Basel Convention provisions. President George Bush signed the agreement on behalf of the U.S. in 1989, but the Senate has never ratified it. Absent ratification, the United States cannot participate in waste transfers with Basel Parties without a separate and equivalent bilateral or multilateral agreement. The OECD agreement and NAFTA treaties constitutes such multilateral agreements, and the U.S. also has bilateral agreements with Costa Rica, Malaysia and the Philippines. ### **Imports of Hazardous Waste** Importers of hazardous wastes must complete manifests for the wastes, substituting their name and facility identifications for the non-domestic generator’s. The importer must provide the transporter with an additional copy to submit to EPA in compliance with the transporter’s manifest requirements. If the import is from an OECD country, the importer must also ensure that the shipment meets OECD requirements. ### **Implementation Checklist** If your organization is involved in imports and/or exports involving U.S. territory, consider the following checklist. If it is involved in imports or exports involving other OECD countries, the same general issues apply. Does my organization intend to export hazardous waste, acting as the “primary exporter"? - If so, is the shipment being sent to: - Has my organization secured formal consent from the receiving country?  - Has my organization notified EPA of its intent to export?  - Has my organization received EPA’s acknowledgement of the receiving country’s consent?  - Does each shipment comply with domestic U.S. manifest requirements, and applicable requirements of the receiving country?  - Does the organization retain all required records?  - Does my organization intend to import hazardous waste? - If so, is the shipment being sent from: - Does each shipment comply with domestic U.S. manifest requirements?  - Does the organization retain all required records?  ### **Where can I go for more information?** - EPA Hazardous Waste Import/Export webpage [www.epa.gov/compliance/monitoring/programs/rcra/importexport.html](http://www.epa.gov/compliance/monitoring/programs/rcra/importexport.html) - OECD webpage on transboundary movements of hazardous wastes [www.oecd.org/env/waste/theoecdcontrolsystemforwasterecovery.htm](http://www.oecd.org/env/waste/theoecdcontrolsystemforwasterecovery.htm) - Basel Convention [www.basel.int](http://www.basel.int/) [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/175614/Hazardous-Waste-Regulations-for-International-Shipments) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/175614/Hazardous-Waste-Regulations-for-International-Shipments#comments-listing) Tags: [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international), [Health & Safety](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [Hazcom](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/hazcom) ## [The Newest Say-on-Pay Jurisdiction is…Switzerland!](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/173913/The-Newest-Say-on-Pay-Jurisdiction-is-Switzerland) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Thu, Mar 07, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-22631671-jpg/images/swiss_francs.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/173913/The-Newest-Say-on-Pay-Jurisdiction-is-Switzerland) Executive compensation packages can become sources of tension between directors and shareholders in companies. In the U.S., state corporation laws authorize directors to fix their own compensation and to determine suitable compensation for the officers of the corporation, while federal income tax rules require shareholder validation before the company can deduct individual [compensation](http://www.stpub.com/publications/accounting-tax/accounting-tax-cmp) exceeding $1 million ($500,000 for participants in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)). U.S. federal laws have expanded requirements for shareholder “say-on-pay” votes, but only require that the votes themselves be advisory, not binding. The 2009 federal stimulus bill requires participants to offer non-binding shareholder votes, and the 2010 [Dodd-Frank Act](http://www.stpub.com/securities-aw-a-guide-to-the-1933-and-1934-acts-and-their-amendments-including-sarbanes-oxley-and-dodd-frank-online) requires all public companies to do the same. (See my recent [blog](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/149742/SEC-New-Standards-for-Executive-Compensation) on Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rulemaking). [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/173913/The-Newest-Say-on-Pay-Jurisdiction-is-Switzerland) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/173913/The-Newest-Say-on-Pay-Jurisdiction-is-Switzerland#comments-listing) Tags: [Corporate Governance](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/corporate-governance), [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [SEC](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/sec), [Employer Best Practices](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/employer-best-practices), [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international), [Accounting & Tax](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/accounting-tax) ## [Italian Election Gridlock: Hung Parliament a Distinct Possibility](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/173031/Italian-Election-Gridlock-Hung-Parliament-a-Distinct-Possibility) Posted by [Lorraine O'Donovan](https://blog.stpub.com/author/lorraine-odonovan) on Mon, Feb 25, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-21427955-jpg/images/italian_flag.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/173031/Italian-Election-Gridlock-Hung-Parliament-a-Distinct-Possibility) **By Jamie Scudder, Maplecroft** [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/173031/Italian-Election-Gridlock-Hung-Parliament-a-Distinct-Possibility) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/173031/Italian-Election-Gridlock-Hung-Parliament-a-Distinct-Possibility#comments-listing) Tags: [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [Employer Best Practices](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/employer-best-practices), [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international), [Audit Standards](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/audit-standards), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks) ## [New Standard for Revenue Accounting Finally Coming!](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/172965/New-Standard-for-Revenue-Accounting-Finally-Coming) Posted by [Ron Pippin](https://blog.stpub.com/author/ron-pippin) on Fri, Feb 22, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-21329618-jpg/images/handshake_globe.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/172965/New-Standard-for-Revenue-Accounting-Finally-Coming) On February 20, 2013, the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and its international counterpart, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), completed their “substantive deliberations” on the joint project to issue a comprehensive new standard on accounting for revenue. The changes in this standard will affect almost all companies in one way or another. While minor “tweaks” might occur over the next few weeks, the major decisions have been reached. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/172965/New-Standard-for-Revenue-Accounting-Finally-Coming) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/172965/New-Standard-for-Revenue-Accounting-Finally-Coming#comments-listing) Tags: [Corporate Governance](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/corporate-governance), [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [SEC](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/sec), [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international), [Accounting & Tax](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/accounting-tax), [Audit Standards](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/audit-standards), [Accountants](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/accountants), [GAAP](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/gaap), [Decision on IFRS](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/decision-on-ifrs) ## [International Standards on Auditing and Risk: Colombia Ceasefire Ends](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/170783/International-Standards-on-Auditing-and-Risk-Colombia-Ceasefire-Ends) Posted by [Lorraine O'Donovan](https://blog.stpub.com/author/lorraine-odonovan) on Mon, Feb 18, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-19277972-jpg/images/colombia_flag.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/170783/International-Standards-on-Auditing-and-Risk-Colombia-Ceasefire-Ends) **by James Lockhart-Smith, Maplecroft** [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/170783/International-Standards-on-Auditing-and-Risk-Colombia-Ceasefire-Ends) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/170783/International-Standards-on-Auditing-and-Risk-Colombia-Ceasefire-Ends#comments-listing) Tags: [Corporate Governance](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/corporate-governance), [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks) ## [EPA Suspends BP from Access to New Federal Contracts](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/166808/EPA-Suspends-BP-from-Access-to-New-Federal-Contracts) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-17021468-jpg/images/drilling_platform.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/166808/EPA-Suspends-BP-from-Access-to-New-Federal-Contracts) ### **Response to Criminal Violations in the Deepwater Horizon Disaster** On November 28, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it was temporarily suspending BP from all new contracts with the U.S. government. EPA acted two weeks after BP agreed to plead guilty to 14 criminal counts, including manslaughter, obstruction of Congress and other criminal charges stemming from the 2012 Deepwater Horizon blowout and oil spill. BP also agreed to pay $4.5 billion in penalties. Federal agencies have authority to issue temporary suspensions and longer-term “debarments” to parties that violate criminal laws (over three thousand were issued in the last fiscal year). EPA is the lead agency doing so for violations of [national water and air laws](http://www.stpub.com/the-complete-guide-to-environmental-law). The effects on BP could be significant: BP is currently the largest lease-holder in deep water portions of the Gulf of Mexico, and in 2011 was the largest supplier of fuels to the U.S. military. Its existing contracts are not affected, but it is ineligible for new ones (for example, the company has already had to skip a round of deep water leasing by the Department of the Interior). [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/166808/EPA-Suspends-BP-from-Access-to-New-Federal-Contracts) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/166808/EPA-Suspends-BP-from-Access-to-New-Federal-Contracts#comments-listing) Tags: [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international), [Health & Safety](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety), [Environmental risks](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks), [Environmental](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental), [EPA](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa), [Hazcom](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/hazcom) ## [Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Federal Dos and Don'ts](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/164948/Foreign-Corrupt-Practices-Act-Federal-Dos-and-Don-ts) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Tue, Nov 20, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-17008684-jpg/images/100_dollar_bills_image.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/164948/Foreign-Corrupt-Practices-Act-Federal-Dos-and-Don-ts) The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of 1977 prohibits U.S. companies from making bribes or other “[corrupt payments](http://www.stpub.com/corruption-risk-briefings-online)” to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Concerns that this U.S. attempt to mediate its companies’ [overseas activities](http://www.stpub.com/legal-and-regulatory-environment-risk-atlas-online) might prove quixotic—and potentially disadvantaging—to American competitiveness have abated (although not disappeared) since the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) promulgated its “Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.” As of November 2012 the OECD Convention has been ratified by all 34 OECD member countries, and five others as well. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/164948/Foreign-Corrupt-Practices-Act-Federal-Dos-and-Don-ts) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/164948/Foreign-Corrupt-Practices-Act-Federal-Dos-and-Don-ts#comments-listing) Tags: [Corporate Governance](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/corporate-governance), [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [SEC](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/sec), [Employer Best Practices](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/employer-best-practices), [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international) ## [Intellectual Property, Trademarks and Freedom of Speech](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/162933/Intellectual-Property-Trademarks-and-Freedom-of-Speech) Posted by [Tina Loza](https://blog.stpub.com/author/tina-loza) on Mon, Nov 05, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-17028296-jpg/images/gavel_image.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/162933/Intellectual-Property-Trademarks-and-Freedom-of-Speech) I am not a historian.  My recollection of the massacre in Tiananmen Square is colored by teenage self-centeredness and the ramblings of a slightly ridiculous history teacher who I managed to ignore for nine months whilst acing the class.  I am not proud of this. [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/162933/Intellectual-Property-Trademarks-and-Freedom-of-Speech) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/162933/Intellectual-Property-Trademarks-and-Freedom-of-Speech#comments-listing) Tags: [Corporate Governance](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/corporate-governance), [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international), [Internet](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/internet), [Intellectual Property](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/intellectual-property) ## [Conflict Minerals in Supply Chains - SEC Aims to De-fund Combatants](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/156018/Conflict-Minerals-in-Supply-Chains-SEC-Aims-to-De-fund-Combatants) Posted by [Jon Elliott](https://blog.stpub.com/author/jon-elliott) on Fri, Sep 07, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-17039548-jpg/images/jon_elliott_w_border.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/156018/Conflict-Minerals-in-Supply-Chains-SEC-Aims-to-De-fund-Combatants) Late last month the [Securities and Exchange Commission](http://www.stpub.com/publications/accounting-tax/accounting-tax-sec) (SEC) adopted new rules (Rule [13p-1](http://sec.gov/rules/final/2012/34-67716.pdf) and associated Form SD), requiring annual disclosures by public companies that manufacture any products in which “conflict minerals” are “necessary to the functionality or production.” These conflict minerals comprise a short list of important metals, when they originate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo or DRC) or an adjoining country. SEC’s rules implement a Congressional mandate contained in 2010’s massive [Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act](http://www.sec.gov/about/laws/wallstreetreform-cpa.pdf) (Dodd-Frank). [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/156018/Conflict-Minerals-in-Supply-Chains-SEC-Aims-to-De-fund-Combatants) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/156018/Conflict-Minerals-in-Supply-Chains-SEC-Aims-to-De-fund-Combatants#comments-listing) Tags: [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [SEC](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/sec), [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international) ## [The Power of the Internet](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/156105/The-Power-of-the-Internet) Posted by [Tina Loza](https://blog.stpub.com/author/tina-loza) on Thu, Sep 06, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.stpub.com/hs-fs/file-17074732-jpg/images/tina_loza.jpg) ](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/156105/The-Power-of-the-Internet) The internet is such a special place. It makes life so easy. I know that there are a slew of attorneys who existed before the time of the internet, and on-line legal research, but I am so glad that I did not have to be one of them. I am grateful that I did not have to know that kind of grueling legal practice. This is so much more fun! [Read More](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/156105/The-Power-of-the-Internet) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.stpub.com/bid/156105/The-Power-of-the-Internet#comments-listing) Tags: [Business & Legal](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal), [International](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international), [Internet](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/internet) [Previous](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/international/page/1) [All posts](https://blog.stpub.com/all) ### Follow Me ### Subscribe by Email ### Browse by Topic Area - [Accounting & Tax ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/accounting-tax) - [Business & Legal ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal) - [Corporate Governance  ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/?Tag=Corporate+Governance) - [Environmental ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/?Tag=Environmental) - [Global ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/?Tag=Global) - [Health & Safety ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety) - [Internet ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/?Tag=Internet) - [Transportation ](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/?Tag=Transportation) ### Browse by Tag - [Environmental (344)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental) - [Business & Legal (309)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/business-legal) - [Environmental risks (300)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/environmental-risks) - [Health & Safety (296)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/health-safety) - [EPA (283)](https://blog.stpub.com/topic/epa) - [Terms & Conditions](https://stphub.stpehs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/STP-Terms-of-Use-Dec-20.pdf) - [Privacy Policy](https://stphub.stpehs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/STP-Privacy-Policy.pdf) - [License Agreement](https://stphub.stpehs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/STP-License-Agreement-Dec-20.pdf) - [Sitemap](http://stpub.com/sitemap) - [Support](http://stpub.com/support) © 2021 STP ComplianceEHS - All rights reserved