Search

3.24. Prohibited products are (...) hazardous waste, chemicals and substances, (...)

Table 3.1 Goods requiring an import permit/licence, 2023
(...)
Goods subject to licensing: 19. Medicines, medical devices, drugs, toxic chemicals
Legislation: Import restrictions Regulation – Amendment 2009 (Legal Notice No. 175 of 2009); Dangerous Medicines Act 1973
Administrator: Ministry of Health
Scope of application: All trading partners
(...)

3.30. (...) It also applies export prohibitions on products pursuant to international conventions, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

3.31. Lesotho requires export permits for some agricultural products, diamonds, drugs, medicines, weapons, and hazardous waste and substances (Table 3.2). (...)

Table 3.2 Goods requiring an export permit, 2023
(...)
Goods subject to permit: Hazardous waste or substances
Legislation: Environment Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008)
Administrator: Ministry of Defence, National Security and Environment
(...)

3.46. (...) Five technical committees (Food; Energy; Quality Management Systems; Environmental Management; and Traffic, Transport and Transit) are currently in place with more than 30 draft standards awaiting publication. (...)

3.60. Lesotho has no policy document on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Based on information provided to the FAO on its GMO information platform, Lesotho is currently working on its Biosafety Bill to govern the use and trade of GMOs. For the time being, while it does not produce GMO products, import of genetically modified food or feed is allowed and there is no authorization process.[26] The authorities indicate that the Department of Agricultural Research in collaboration with the Department of Environment has recently undertaken a project to enable the testing of GMOs.
[26] FAO, FAO GMO Foods Platform. (...)

3.77. In 2018, the Government adopted a Public Procurement Policy (...)The Policy also seeks to promote environmental protection through public procurement methods, and facilitate the participation of youth, women, people with physical disabilities, and SMEs.

3.78. A new Public Procurement Act was passed in March 2023. It is yet to enter into force (...) Among the reforms brought about under the Act, it encourages environmentally responsible procurement and introduces e-procurement to enable procurement entities to disseminate tender documents and receipts electronically.

4.2. The performance of agriculture is frequently undermined by environmental challenges, including erosion and land degradation as a result of floods and droughts. Environmental degradation has worsened due to agricultural activities on steep slopes and marginal lands.(...)