All of us

On 22 May 2001, 127 governments adopted the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). POPs are chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulate in fatty tissues, biomagnify through the food chain and adversely affect health and the environment. The adoption of the Convention and its subsequent signing by 92 parties signaled the end of negotiations that started in June 1998. These negotiations were called for in 1997 by the Governing Council of UNEP in recognition of the need for urgent global action to protect human health and the environment from POPs.

The Convention seeks the elimination or restriction of production and use of all intentionally produced POPs (i.e., industrial chemicals and pesticides). Initially, the chemicals slated for elimination are aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), mirex, toxaphene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Continued use of DDT is allowed for vector control until safe, affordable and effective alternatives are in place. Countries must make determined efforts to identify, label and remove PCB-containing equipment from use by 2025, and manage those wastes in an environmentally sound manner no later than 2028. The Convention also seeks the continuing minimization and, where feasible, ultimate elimination of the releases unintentionally produced POPs such as dioxins and furans. Stockpiles and wastes containing POPs must be managed and disposed of in a safe, efficient and environmentally sound manner, taking into account international rules, standards and guidelines. Each Party is required to develop a plan for implementing its obligations under the Convention.

The Convention also imposes certain trade restrictions, and has a procedure for adding other POPs. Governments have set up an interim financial mechanism, with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as the principal entity, to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition in their implementation of the treaty. Projects are being approved to finance the development of implementation plans called for in the treaty.

As of 25 March, 2002 the Convention had been signed by 121 countries and ratified by six.

	PERSITENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS

	On 22 May 2001, 127 governments adopted the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). POPs are chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulate in fatty tissues, biomagnify through the food chain and adversely affect health and the environment. The adoption of the Convention and its subsequent signing by 92 parties signaled the end of negotiations that started in June 1998. These negotiations were called for in 1997 by the Governing Council of UNEP in recognition of the need for urgent global action to protect human health and the environment from POPs. The Convention seeks the elimination or restriction of production and use of all intentionally produced POPs (i.e., industrial chemicals and pesticides). Initially, the chemicals slated for elimination are aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), mirex, toxaphene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Continued use of DDT is allowed for vector control until safe, affordable and effective alternatives are in place. Countries must make determined efforts to identify, label and remove PCB-containing equipment from use by 2025, and manage those wastes in an environmentally sound manner no later than 2028. The Convention also seeks the continuing minimization and, where feasible, ultimate elimination of the releases unintentionally produced POPs such as dioxins and furans. Stockpiles and wastes containing POPs must be managed and disposed of in a safe, efficient and environmentally sound manner, taking into account international rules, standards and guidelines. Each Party is required to develop a plan for implementing its obligations under the Convention. The Convention also imposes certain trade restrictions, and has a procedure for adding other POPs. Governments have set up an interim financial mechanism, with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as the principal entity, to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition in their implementation of the treaty. Projects are being approved to finance the development of implementation plans called for in the treaty. As of 25 March, 2002 the Convention had been signed by 121 countries and ratified by six. Mr. Jim Willis Executive Secretary Stockholm Convention UNEP Chemicals


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