Register of Specific Exemptions: Lindane

Parties may register for specific exemptions listed in Annex A or B pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 4. These specific exemptions have a limited timeframe and shall expire five (5) years after the date of entry into force of the Convention with respect to that particular chemical (paragraph 4 of Article 4), unless an earlier date is indicated in the Register by the Party or an extension is granted by the Conference of the Parties under paragraph 7 of Article 4.

By decision SC-9/1 on Exemptions, adopted in May 2019, the Conference of the Parties noted, among other things, that as there were no longer any Parties registered for specific exemptions for lindane for use as a human-health pharmaceutical for the control of head lice and scabies as a second-line treatment, no new registrations may be made with respect to that chemical.

Specific exemptions

Activity Specific exemption Party Expiry date Estimated quantity of production / use Purpose(s) of production / use Reason for exemption Remarks
No registered exemptions

Expired and withdrawn specific exemptions

Activity Specific exemption Party Expiry date Estimated quantity of production / use Purpose(s) of
production / use 		Reason for exemption Remarks
Use Human health pharmaceutical for control of head lice and scabies as second line treatment Canada Expired on 04/04/2016 Not provided Human health pharmaceutical for control of head lice and scabies as second line treatment. Minimal import and use in production of human health pharmaceuticals is occurring in Canada, however this use will be phased out by the end of the five-year exemption period. On registration: An administrative measure is in place that ensures that activity taking place during the exemption period complies with the Convention. A Notice of Intent was also published in Canada Gazette, Part I, on September 11, 2010, in respect of export controls.
Use Human health pharmaceutical for control of head lice and scabies as second line treatment China (People’s Republic of) Expired on  26/03/2019 No information Adjuvant therapeutic drug to control head lice and to treat scabies Currently in use without appropriate alternatives and transition will take some time. On registration: Applicable to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR of China
Use Human health pharmaceutical for control of head lice and scabies as second line treatment Nigeria Withdrawn on 15/10/2012 Not known Human health pharmaceutical for control of head lice and scabies as second line treatment. No alternative On registration: Nigeria discourages the use of lindane for the control of lice and scabies due to increasing pest resistance, lack of efficacy and toxic effects.
Withdrawal notification
Note by Secretariat: See the withdrawal notification for the pharmaceutical alternatives and the alternatives to lindane in agriculture promoted in Nigeria.
Use Human health pharmaceutical for control of head lice and scabies as second line treatment Sri Lanka Expired on 26/08/2015 137 Kg Human health pharmaceutical (for Pediculosis and Scabies) No alternatives On registration: Use of lindane on head lice is restricted in Sri Lanka due to the possibility of developing resistance.
Specific exemptions are sought for the purposes given until suitable alternatives are made.