Figure 4.2. Annex VII and non-Annex VII trade.
COMTRADE data indicate a significant shift over time in the flows of e-waste between trade blocs. COMTRADE data show flows from Annex VII ('developed' countries) to non-Annex VII ('developing' countries) to be a very small proportion of total flows (less than 1 percent of total trade by 2012. See Lepawsky 2015).
"Annex VII" and "non-Annex VII" are technical terms defined in the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Shipment of Hazardous Waste (hereafter the Convention). Annex VII signatories of the Convention are countries belonging to one or more of the European Community (EC), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), or Lichtenstein. Non-Annex VII countries are all other signatories. The Annex VII and non-Annex VII categories emerged out of negotiations among parties of the Convention that initially distinguished between 'developed' or 'industrialized countries' and 'developing' countries (see Lepawsky, 2015).
