The Berne Convention (formally, the International Convention respecting the Prohibition of the Use of White (Yellow) Phosphorus in the Manufacture of Matches ()) of 1906 is a multilateral treaty negotiated in Berne, Switzerland, which prohibits the use of white phosphorus in the manufacture of matches. The treaty also prohibits the import and sale of such matches. The background to the treaty was the extensive medical problems such as phossy jaw facing workers in match production. The treaty was concluded on 26 September 1906. It entered into force on 1 January 1912. The Convention remains in force for 48 states. Switzerland is the depositary for the treaty. In 1925 Edward J. Phelan, future Director General of the International Labour Organization, stated that the establishment of the ILO "may in one sense be traced to the Berne Convention of 1906", partly as a result of lobbying by the International Association for Labour Legislation. See also London matchgirls strike of 1888 Notes References John Emsley, The Shocking History of Phosphorus: A Biography of the Devil's Element (2000) Macmillan Publishers, Ltd.: London, England External links The Berne Convention of 1906 Information page, official depositary Review of book about phosphorus Chemical industry Occupational safety and health treaties Treaties concluded in 1906 Treaties entered into force in 1912 History of Bern Health treaties 1906 in Switzerland Treaties of Argentina Treaties extended to Australia Treaties of the First Austrian Republic Treaties of Belgium Treaties of the Kingdom of Bulgaria Treaties extended to Canada Treaties of Chile Treaties of the Republic of China (1912–1949) Treaties of Cyprus Treaties of Ivory Coast Treaties of Denmark Treaties of the Kingdom of Egypt Treaties of Spain under the Restoration Treaties of Estonia Treaties of Fiji Treaties of Finland Treaties of the French Third Republic Treaties of the Gambia Treaties of the German Empire Treaties of the Kingdom of Hungary (1920–1946) Treaties extended to British India Treaties of Pahlavi Iran Treaties of the Irish Free State Treaties of Israel Treaties of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946) Treaties of the Empire of Japan Treaties of Luxembourg Treaties of Madagascar Treaties of Mali Treaties of Malta Treaties of Mauritius Treaties of Mauritania Treaties of Morocco Treaties of Montenegro Treaties of the Netherlands Treaties extended to New Zealand Treaties of Niger Treaties of Norway Treaties of the Second Polish Republic Treaties of the Kingdom of Romania Treaties of Senegal Treaties of Serbia and Montenegro Treaties