The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which was prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and brings a set of bans and restrictions on the use of substances adversely affecting the environment and human health due to exhibiting a permanent nature, is a global treaty which was entered into full force and effect by the 17th of May 2014. The objective of this convention is to protect human health and the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants.
The liabilities of this Convention to be fulfilled by Parties, as therein defined, include the preparation of a national implementation plan for persistent organic pollutants and periodic updating thereof, adoption and introduction of measures for the minimisation or prevention of stockpiles and releases of the said chemicals, the keeping of records on special exemptions granted by virtue or under the convention and regular reporting of data to the secretariat of the convention, information and raising awareness of the general public and training activities.
Turkey has become a State Party to this Convention which is signed by 179 states on the 12th of January 2010, after signing and executing it on 23rd of May 2001.
Stockholm Convention Parties Maps
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was adopted by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on 22 May 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden. The Convention entered into force on 17 May 2004.
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, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment.
Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) can lead to serious health effects including certain cancers, birth defects, dysfunctional immune and reproductive systems, greater susceptibility to disease and damages to the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Given their long range transport, no one government acting alone can protect its citizens or its environment from POPs.
In response to this global problem, the Stockholm Convention, which was adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, requires its parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment.
As set out in Article 1, the objective of the Stockholm Convention is to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants.
Among others, the provisions of the Convention require each party to:
· Prohibit and/or eliminate the production and use, as well as the import and export, of the intentionally produced POPs that are listed in Annex A to the Convention (Article 3)
Annex A allows for the registration of specific exemptions for the production or use of listed POPs, in accordance with that Annex and Article 4, bearing in mind that special rules apply to PCBs. The import and export of chemicals listed in Annex A can take place under specific restrictive conditions, as set out in paragraph 2 of Article 3.
· Restrict the production and use, as well as the import and export, of the intentionally produced POPs that are listed in Annex B to the Convention (Article 3)
Annex B allows for the registration of acceptable purposes for the production and use of the listed POPs, in accordance with that Annex, and for the registration of specific exemptions for the production and use of the listed POPs, in accordance with that Annex and Article 4. The import and export of chemicals listed in Annex B can take place under specific restrictive conditions, as set out in paragraph 2 of Article 3.
· Reduce or eliminate releases from unintentionally produced POPs that are listed in Annex C to the Convention (Article 5)
The Convention promotes the use of best available techniques and best environmental practices for preventing releases of POPs into the environment.
· Ensure that stockpiles and wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with POPs are managed safely and in an environmentally sound manner (Article 6)
The Convention requires that such stockpiles and wastes be identified and managed to reduce or eliminate POPs releases from these sources. The Convention also requires that wastes containing POPs are transported across international boundaries taking into account relevant international rules, standards and guidelines.
· To target additional POPs (Article 8)
The Convention provides for detailed procedures for the listing of new POPs in Annexes A, B and/or C. A Committee composed of experts in chemical assessment or management - the Persistent Organic Pollutants review Committee, is established to examine proposals for the listing of chemicals, in accordance with the process set out in Article 8 and the information requirements specified in Annexes D, E and F of the Convention.
· Other provisions of the Convention relate to the development of implementation plans (Article 7), information exchange (Article 9), public information, awareness and education (Article 10), research, development and monitoring (Article 11), technical assistance (Article 12), financial resources and mechanisms (Article 13), reporting (Article 15), effectiveness evaluation (Article 16) and non-compliance (Article 17).
Stockholm Convention - Annex A 2011 - Change Text
Stockholm Convention - Annex A 2013 - Change Text
