Accident Prevention and Control

The International Sava River Basin Commission (Sava Commission) aimes to promote active international cooperation among the Parties to the Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin (FASRB) before, during and after a possible extraordinary impact such as sudden or accidental pollution, to enhance appropriate policies and to reinforce and coordinate action at all appropriate levels for promoting the prevention, preparedness, protection and response to transboundary impacts on the water regime.
 

Undertaking measures to prevent or limit hazards, and reduce and eliminate adverse consequences, including incidents involving substances hazardous to water, takes into consideration the legislative framework:
  • Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy
  • UNECE Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents (Helsinki 1992)
  • Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Helsinki 1992)
  • Code of Conduct on Accidental Pollution of Transboundary Inland Waters (UN 1990)
  • Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directive 96/82/EC.
The commitments to regulate the accident prevention and control resulted in drafting the Protocol on emergency situations to the FASRB which has been already adopted by the Sava Commission. Its final harmonization is expected in the near future. 
 
Following the provision of the FASRB regarding establishment of the coordinated or joint system of warnings and alarms in the Sava River Basin for extraordinary impacts on the water regime in the case of accidental pollution the Parties to the FASRB use the Accident Emergency and Warning System (AEWS) developed and maintained by the ICPDR. In each Party the Principal Information Alert Centers (PIAC) has been established as a central point for communication. They are responsible for communication, expert involvement and decision making on actions to be taken in case of emergency situations. Their operability is tested at least twice a year. The main objective of such exercises is to test functionality of the system, operability of Principal International Alert Centers (PIACs) and basic usage of the system.

The future activities in the field of accident prevention and control will be focused to the signature and ratification of the Protocol, development of the on-site and off-site contingency plans and enhancement of capability of PIACs to ensure 24/7 operability.