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Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)02/2009 IntroductionThe Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from organic chemicals which are so stable that they remain in the environment for many years. These chemicals become widely distributed geographically and are also prone to accumulate in living organisms. The text of the Convention was adopted on 23 May 2001 and entered in to force on 17 May 2004, after fifteenth ratification. The Convention identified 12 POPs* and requires signatory governments to take specific measures to control their manufacture, use, release and disposal. It also established a mechanism for identifying new potential POPs, scientifically evaluating them and deciding what measures are needed to protect human health and the environment. The Convention requires the use of Best Available Techniques and Best Environment Practice (BAT/BEP) in order to minimise the emissions of unintentional POPs. The challengesThe Stockholm Convention on POPs is a key treaty with far-reaching implications, which are being discussed in a number of international fora. The challenge for the chemical industry is to ensure that a science- and risk-based approach is the basis for the nomination and assessment of candidate chemicals that may in future be considered as POPs. The present situation (2008) Euro Chlor is closely monitoring developments with regard to the evaluation of some chlorinated chemicals which could be added to the Convention (e.g. hexachlorobutadiene, short chain chlorinated paraffins and polychlorinated naphalenes). Euro Chlor has also contributed to the debate with the EU Commission on establishing concentration limits for POPs in waste. The solutionsUnder the umbrella of the World Chlorine Council, Euro Chlor has contributed to the development of guidelines for the environmentally sound management of persistent organic pollutant wastes. Likewise, the chemical industry has assisted in developing BAT and BEP Guidelines and the Basel POPs Waste Guidelines. The application of these techniques and practices by numerous countries has been successful in dramatically reducing releases of unintentional POPs and in safely managing POPs wastes. These guidelines should also help resolve unjustified accusations that have been made during the past ten years or so against the chlorine and PVC industries regarding release of the unintentional by-products dioxins and furans. Euro Chlor positionEuro Chlor continues to track the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on POPs and is committed to a science based, transparant and effective implementation in close co-operation with our chemical industry sectors and the International Council of Chemical Organisations (ICCA). The global chlor-alkali industry will continue to contribute to the implementation of the Convention by providing expertise, raising awareness and conducting stewardship seminars in developing countries where there is a significant chlorine or PVC industry. BAT/BEP guidelines must be adopted and used by individual countries which will support further implementation of the Convention. BAT/BEB guidelines are developed as general guidance, recognising that local conditions, resources and economics should be taken into account when any decisions are made.
WCC takes initiative to enhance efficiency of POP assessment (2009)In recent years it has become evident that there is significant overlap and duplication between the two conventions dealing with the evaluation of newly nominated POPs: the UNEP Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the UNECE Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) Convention. The World Chlorine Council (WCC) and the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) feel it is appropriate to consider opportunities to improve co-operation between these two treaties. That would contribute to more efficient allocation of scarce resources. The World Chlorine Council commissioned Mr. David Stone, retired from Environment Canada, to prepare an independent ‘thought starter’ of possible areas of efficiency improvement that may be of assistance during subsequent discussions: his paper on “Possible technical and process efficiencies in the review of substances nominated to both the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Stockholm Protocol” is now available and will be discussed at the UNECE Working Group on Strategies and Review, to be held 9-13 March 2009 in Geneva. Contact: Dolf Van Wijk, Euro Chlor Science Manager, tel. +32 2 676 7370 Useful information:ICCA (International Council of Chemical Associations) position statements on POPs |