Stockholm Convention on
Persistent Organic Pollutants
Introduction

Over the past 50 years the world has engaged in an
uncontrolled, worldwide chemistry experiment involving
the oceans, air, soils, plants, animals, and human beings.

In particular, Persistent organic pollutants (POPs,) has
aroused concern because of the significant threats it poses
to health and the environment.

The Stockholm Convention is international treaty aimed at
restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use,
release and storage.
Unit Objectives
At the end of the unit participants will be able to:
 Explain the scope and purpose of the Stockholm
Convention
 Identify Persistent Organic Pollutants covered by the
Stockholm convention
 Discuss control measures used in the regulation of Trade in
POPs
 Determine the role of Customs and border control
 Contribute to the Information exchange & clearing house
mechanism
Unit Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Introduction
Scope of the Stockholm Convention
Identifying POPs
Measures to Regulate Trade in POPs
Role of Customs and Border Control
Information Exchange & Clearing House
Mechanism
Conclusion
Scope of the Convention
The Stockholm Convention on
Persistent Organic Pollutants
is a global treaty to protect
human health and the
environment from
chemicals that remain
intact in the environment for
long periods, become widely
distributed geographically and
accumulate in the fatty tissue
of humans and wildlife.
Status of the Convention
The Stockholm Convention, was adopted in 2001
and entered into force in 2004
There are 157 Parties to the Convention including
all CARIFORUM Countries except Grenada and
Haiti.
http://chm.pops.int/Countries/StatusofRatifications/tabid/252/Default.aspx
Parties must take measures to eliminate or reduce
the release of POPs into the environment.
2 Categories of POPs
1.
The intentionally produced POPs include: pesticides and industrial chemicals that may be
traded between countries.
2.
The unintentionally produced POPs which
are by-products of industrial or other
processes involving combustion which are not
products in commerce.
Harmful Effects of POPs
POPs are semi-volatile and take a long time to
degrade in the environment, they are carried
globally by wind and water currents and
accumulate through the global food chain.
POPs cause harm in areas far away from their
production sites, irrespective of national
boundaries.
Harmful Effects of POPs
Exposure to persistent organic pollutants
(POPs) can lead serious health effects, including
certain cancers, birth defects, dysfunctional
immune and reproductive systems, greater
susceptibility to disease and even diminished
intelligence.
Initial list of 12 POPs
Chemical
Pesticides
Aldrin
Chlordane
DDT
Dieldrin
Endrin
Heptachlor
Mirex
Toxaphene
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Hexachlorobenzene
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs)
Chlorinated Dioxins
Chlorinated Furans
Industrial
chemicals
+
+
Byproducts
+
+
+
+
List of 9 new POPs
Chemical
Pesticides
Industrial
chemicals
Byproducts
Alpha Hexachlorocyclohexane
+
+
Beta Hexachlorocyclohexane
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+
Chlordecone
+
Commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether
+
Commercial octabromodiphenyl ether
+
Hexabromobiphenyl
+
Lindane
+
Pentachlorobenzene
+
Perfluoroctane sulfonic acid, its salts and
perflurooctane sulfonyl fluiride (PFOs)
+
+
+
Control Measures
Eliminating the production and use of chemicals listed in
Annex A, which currently are aldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin,
heptachlor, HCB, mirex, toxaphene and PCBs.
Restricting the production and use of chemicals listed in
Annex B, which currently is DDT (the only allowable purpose
of which is for disease vector control).
Reducing or eliminating the production of unintentionally
produced POPs listed in Annex C, which currently are furans
and dioxins, and HCB and PCBs as by-products.
Reducing or eliminating releases of POPs from wastes of all
chemicals listed in Annexes A, B or C.
Control Measures

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Elimination (POPs listed in annex A) *
Restriction (POPs listed in annex B)
Continued reduction (POPS listed in annex C)
Management of stockpiles and wastes*
Promotion and research
National Implementation Plan
Exchange of information*
Reporting*
Effectiveness evaluation
Technical assistance and Financial mechanism
*Steps with particular relevance to customs and enforcement
officers / agents
Elimination
Each Party shall prohibit and/or take the legal
and administrative measures necessary to
eliminate its production and use of chemicals
in Annex A subject to the provisions of that
Annex.
The practice in the region is to include such
goods in a schedule (s) of Prohibited Imports
or Exports
Restriction
Each Party shall restrict its production and
use of chemicals in Annex B in accordance
with the provisions of that Annex.
Currently listed: DDT,
Production and use of chemicals in Annex B is
eliminated, except for “acceptable purposes”
The practice in the region is to include those items
in a Schedule of Restricted Imports or Exports
Managing stockpiles & wastes
Parties shall:
 Develop strategies for identifying POPs stockpiles

Manage POPs stockpiles & wastes in a safe, efficient
and environmentally sound manner

Dispose of POPs wastes, consistent with international
rules, standards and guidelines ( Basel Convention)
 Not dispose in a way that leads to reuse or alternative use of
POPs
 Not transport POPs wastes unless comply with international
rules, standards and guidelines*
Import/Export
Parties shall:
 Prohibit or take measures to eliminate import and export
of Annex A chemicals;
Parties shall take measures to ensure that:
 Import of Annex A / Annex B listed Chemicals only for
environmentally sound disposal or for a use/purpose
permitted for that Party

Export of Annex A / Annex B listed Chemicals with
production or use specific exemption in effect only for
environmentally sound disposal or to Party permitted to
use that chemical or non-Party provided an annual
certification.
Customs enforce provisions of Import / Export Schedules
International Trade in POPs
Obligations relevant to import/export activities cover
intentionally produced POPs only
The import / export of POPs is allowed only for the
purpose of environmentally sound disposal or for a use
permitted under the Convention for the importing Party.
All other imports / exports are prohibited provided that
they are covered by the appropriate legislation or
administrative measure
Role of Customs
The role of Customs is to ensure that imports and
exports of intentionally produced POPs listed in
Annexes A and B are done in compliance with the
Convention and supported by national legislative
measures ( Import /Export Schedules)
Customs can be tasked to produce trade statistics
in respect of the following:



the imports and exports of each chemical
a list of States from which chemicals are imported
a list of States to which chemicals are exported.
Role of Customs

Customs agencies may be required to share
information or co-operate with their
counterparts in other Parties in order to
ensure that all Parties share responsibility
for the export and import of POPs under
the Convention.

Customs agencies must also co-operate
closely with national implementing agencies
Information exchange &
Clearing House Mechanism
Parties shall:
 facilitate/undertake exchange of POPs information
 designate national Stockholm Convention Official
Contact Points and/or Focal Points
Clearing house mechanism:
 Secretariat to promote exchange of information
between Parties and stakeholders;
 Promotion of technical and scientific exchanges
 Direct linkage between Parties and Secretariat
 www.pops.int
Reporting


Each Party reports on measures taken to
implement the Convention
Information considered:
◦ quantities of POPs listed in Annex A and B produced,
imported, exported, and where possible the States
from which POPs are exported

Online reporting is available in the Convention
web page
www.pops.int
Conclusion
Any Questions
Review lesson objectives
Clarify Main Points