Introduction

Article 15 of the Aarhus Convention on review of compliance, requires the Meeting of the Parties to establish "optional arrangements of a non-confrontational, non-judicial and consultative nature for reviewing compliance with the provisions of the Convention". Following this obligation, the Meeting of the Parties elected –based on regional balance– the first Compliance Committee with nine independent members which will serve in personal capacity. The Parties regularly address issues of compliance, on the basis of the Committee's reports. At the Committee's recommendation, they adopt decisions on general issues of compliance and also decisions on compliance by individual Parties.

The compliance mechanism may be triggered in four ways:
• (1) Submission by Party about another party;
• (2) Submission by Party about its own compliance;
• (3) Referrals by Secretariat;
• (4) Communications by the public.

In addition, the Committee may examine compliance issues on its own initiative and make recommendations; prepare reports on compliance with or implementation of the provisions of the Convention at the request of the Meeting of the Parties; and monitor, assess and facilitate the implementation of and compliance with the reporting requirements under article 10, paragraph 2, of the Convention.