Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

1
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
Pollutants

• UNEP Chemicals, 11-13 chemin des Anémones,
  CH-1219 Châtelaine (GE), Switzerland

2
Stockholm Convention on POPs

• International action on persistent organic
  pollutants( POPs) facilitated by UNEP Chemicals
• 3 years of negotiations between governments,
  environmental NGOs, industrial NGOs ? the POPs
  Convention was adopted on May 22-23, 2001 in
  Stockholm, Sweden
• Until today, 151 countries and the European
  Commission signed the convention
• 21 countries ratified or acceded the convention
• Convention will enter into force when 50
  ratifications/accessions obtained (2004 ?)

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What are POPs ?

• POPs are organic compounds ( contain carbon) of
  natural or anthropogenic origin
• Characterized by physical and chemical
  properties- persistent resist degradation in
  the environment- semi-volatile low, but
  significant vapor pressure leads to
  distribution into all environmental media- low
  water solubility and high fat solubility
• ? regional and gloabl distribution via air,
  water, organisms
• ? long-term exposure to humans and wildlife
• ? bioaccumulation in fatty tissues of living
  organisms
• ? chronic and acute toxic effects on humans and
  wildlife

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The 12 UNEP POPs

• Pesticide Industrial By- Chemical product
• Aldrin x
• Chlordane x
• DDT x
• Dieldrin x
• Endrin x
• Heptachlor x
• Mirex x
• Toxaphene x
• Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) x x
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) x x
• Polychlorinated dibenzo- p-dioxins (PCDD) x
• Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) x

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Objective, Chemicals

• Objective... of this Convention is to protect
  human health and the environment from persistent
  organic pollutants.
• Main provisionsControl measures- on
  intentionally produced POPs- on unintentionally
  produced POPs- on stockpiles and wastes
• General obligations
• Addition of new chemicals
• Financial and technical assistance
• Implementation aspects

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Intentionally Produced POPs

• Goal elimination of production and use of all
  intentionally produced POPs
• Chemicals slated for elimination are listed in
  Annex Aaldrin, chlordane, dieldrin, endrin,
  heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, PCB,
  toxaphene
• Chemicals slated for restriction are listed in
  Annex B- DDT ("acceptable purpose"
  production for use in vector control programs-
  specific exemptions for some parties- other
  types of exemptions exist some have conditions,
  accountability requirements, time limits
  (extensions)

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PCB Article 3 / Annex A - Elimination

• PCB Production NONEPCB Use Articles in use in
  accordance with the provisions of Part II of
  this Annex
• Each Party shalla) Prohibit and/or take the
  legal and administrative measures necessary to
  eliminateProduction and use, import or export
• b) shall take measures to ensure that a chemical
  is imported only for the environmentally sound
  disposal

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Intentionally Produced POPs - PCB

• PCB 3 main goals- cease production of new PCB
  immediately- eliminate use of PCB in in-use
  equipment by 2025- dispose of PCB as soon as
  possible but not later than by 2028
• Parties must report to COP every 5 years on
  progress
• COP will review progress on 2025 and 2028 targets
  every 5 years

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PCB Priority List

• Each Party shall (Annex A - Part II)
• Identify, label and remove from use equipment
• containing
• (i) gt10 PCB and volumes gt5 litres
• (ii) gt0.05 per cent PCB and volumes gt5 litres
• (iii) gt0.005 percent PCBs and volumes gt0.05
  litres.
• 0.05 ? 500 ppm 0.005 ? 50 ppm

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PCB Management (Annex A - Part II)

• (b) Reduction of exposures and risk
• i) Intact and non-leaking equipment and only in
  areas where the risk from environmental release
  can be minimised and quickly remedied
• (ii) No use of equipment in areas associated
  with the production or processing of food or
  feed
• (iii) When used in populated areas, including
  schools and hospitals, all reasonable measures to
  protect from electrical failure which could
  result in a fire, and regular inspection of
  equipment for leaks

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Timetable for PCB

• Elimination of the use of PCB in equipment (e.g.,
  transformers, capacitors or other receptacles
  containing liquid stocks) by 2025
• Environmentally sound waste management of liquids
  containing PCB and equipment with PCB content
  above 0.005 per cent as soon as possible but no
  later than 2028
• Report progress in elimination every 5 years.

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DDT - Annex B

• All Parties shall- eliminate production and use
  except for disease vector control programs
  special DDT register reporting and other
  obligations- promote research and development
  for alternatives to DDT
• The COP will review at its 1st meeting and every
  3 years thereafter to see when DDT is no longer
  needed for disease vector control use

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Intentional POPs - Trade

• Imports/exports of all POPs in Annexes A and B
  between Parties are limited to shipments-
  intended for environmentally sound disposal, or-
  to Parties with "specific exemptions" under
  Annexes A or B, or "acceptable purposes" under
  Annex B
• Exports to non-Parties may take place subject
  to- conditions on both Non-Party and Party,
  and- accountability requirements for the use and
  disposal of POPs.

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54 Countries Asked for 108 Exemptions

• DDT 36 Vector control, contaminant
  (Korea) intermediate for dicofol (China, India)
• PCB 34 In electrical equipment (Poland)
• Chlordane 14 Termiticide, plywood (Japan, Korea)
• HCB 13 Intermediate, solvent for pesticides,
  contam- inant chlorthalonil, Cl5Bz (Poland,
  Korea)
• Heptachlor 7 Termiticide, articles in use
  (Japan, Korea)
• Mirex 2 Termiticide (Australia, China)
• Aldrin 1 Ectoparasiticide, insecticide (Comores)
• Dieldrin 1 Agricultural stocks - 2 years (India)

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Unintentionally Produced POPs

• Compounds included (Annex C)PCDD/PCDF (incl. 12
  dioxin-like PCB WHO-TEFs)PCB and HCB
• Article 5
• Each Party shall at a minimum take the following
  measures to reduce the total releases of each
  of the chemicals listed in Annex C, with the goal
  of their continuing minimization and, where
  feasible, ultimate elimination.

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PCDD/PCDF Article 5 (a-e)

• (a) establish action plan (source identification,
  release inventories)
• (b) promote measures to achieve realistic
  release reduction or source elimination
• (c) Promote/require the use of substitute or
  modified materials, products and processes to
  prevent the formation and release of the
  chemicals in Annex C
• (d) Promote/require the use of BAT for new
  sources and promote use of BEP for identified
  source categories
• (e) Promote the use of BEP for existing sources
  and for sources not covered under (d)

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PCDD/PCDF Article 5 (a) (i)

• (a) Develop an action plan within two years of
  the date of entry into force of this Convention
  . Designed to identify, characterize and address
  the releases of the chemicals listed in Annex C
• (i) An evaluation of current and projected
  releases, including the development and
  maintenance of source inventories and release
  estimates, taking into consideration the source
  categories identified in Annex C

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Annex C - Part II Source Categories

• (a) Waste incinerators, including co-incineration
  of municipal, hazardous or medical waste or
  sewage sludge
• (b) Cement kilns firing hazardous waste
• (c) Production of pulp using elemental chlorine
  or chemicals generating elemental chlorine for
  bleaching
• (d)The following thermal processes in the
  metallurgical industry
• (i) Secondary copper production (ii)
  Sinter plants in the iron and steel
  industry (iii) Secondary aluminum
  production (iv) Secondary zinc production.

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Annex C - Part III Source Categories

• open burning of wastes (including landfill sites)
• thermal processes in metallurgical industry not
  specified in Part II
• residential combustion sources
• fossil-fuel fired utility and industrial boilers
• firing installations for wood and other biomass
  fuels
• chemical production processes releasing
  unintentionally produced POPs (e.g., production
  of chlorophenols and chloranil)
• motor vehicles, especially those burning leaded
  gasoline
• textile and leather dying and finishing
• shredder plants for the treatment of end-of life
  vehicles
• destruction of animal carcasses
• crematoria
• smouldering of copper cables
• waste oils refineries

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BAT Prevention Methods (Annex C)

• a) The use of low-waste technology
• (b) The use of less hazardous substances
• (c) The promotion of recovery/recycling of waste
  and of substances
• (d) Replacement of POPs feed materials or where
  there is a direct link between the materials and
  releases of POPs from the source
• (e) Good housekeeping and preventive maintenance
  programmes
• (f) Improvements in waste management with the aim
  of cessation of open and other uncontrolled
  burning of wastes, landfill sites. Before
  constructing new waste disposal facilities,
  consideration should be given to minimize the
  generation of municipal and medical waste,
  including resource recovery, reuse, recycling,
  waste separation and promoting products that
  generate less waste. Public health concerns
  should be carefully considered
• (g) Minimization of these chemicals as
  contaminants in products
• (h) Avoiding elemental chlorine or chemicals
  generating elemental chlorine for bleaching.

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General Considerations of BAT

• (i) Nature, effects and mass of the releases
  concerned techniques may vary depending on
  source size
• (ii) Commissioning dates for new or existing
  installations
• (iii) Time needed to introduce the best available
  technique
• (iv) Consumption/nature of raw materials and
  energy efficiency
• (v) Need to prevent or reduce to a minimum the
  overall impact of the releases to the environment
  and the risks to it
• (vi) Need to prevent accidents and to minimize
  their consequences for the environment
• (vii) Need to ensure occupational health and
  safety at workplaces
• (viii) Comparable processes, facilities or
  methods of operation which have been tried with
  success on an industrial scale
• (ix) Technological advances, changes in
  scientific knowledge and understanding.

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General Release Reduction Measures

• (b) For new facilities or significantly modifying
  existing facilities that release POPs, priority
  consideration should be given to alternative
  processes, techniques or practices that have
  similar usefulness but which avoid the formation
  and release of POPs. ... Reduction measures to be
  considered in determining best available
  techniques
• (i) Use of improved methods for flue-gas cleaning
  such as thermal or catalytic oxidation, dust
  precipitation, or adsorption
• (ii) Treatment of residuals, wastewater, wastes
  and sewage sludge by, for example, thermal
  treatment or rendering them inert or chemical
  processes that detoxify them
• (iii) Process changes that lead to the reduction
  or elimination of releases, such as moving to
  closed systems
• (iv) Modification of process designs to improve
  combustion and prevent formation of POPs, through
  the control of parameters such as incineration
  temperature or residence time.

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Definition of Goals and BAT

• NOTE The Stockholm Convention does not set any
  numeric emission limits nor reduction
  requirements (in percent).
• (g) Release limit values or performance
  standards may be used by a Party to fulfil its
  commitments for best available techniques under
  this paragraph.

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Timetable for Dioxins/Furans

• Establish an action plan within 2 years after
  entry into force of the Convention for the Party
• A review of the strategies in the action plan to
  achieve the goals every 5 years
• Phase in the requirements of BAT identified for
  new sources as soon as possible but not later
  than 4 years after entry into force
• These dates are part of the Convention and not
  negotiable
• Linkage to Article 7 on National Implementation
  Plans

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Article 6 - Stockpiles and Wastes

• Develop appropriate strategies for identifying
  stockpiles, products/articles in use and wastes
  consisting of, containing or contaminated with a
  POP
• Manage stockpiles in a safe, efficient and
  environmentally sound manner
• Take appropriate measures to handle, transport,
  store in ESM, dispose of that the POP content is
  destroyed or irreversible transformed or
  otherwise disposed of in an ESM not permit
  disposal operations that may lead to recovery,
  recycling, reclamation, direct reuse or
  alternative use of POPs, develop strategies to
  identify POPs contaminated sites.

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POPs Wastes (Snapshot)

• Chemical kg
• Aldrin 33,991 Pesticide data from
• Chlordane 41,841 FAO (Rome)
• DDT 637,046 Obsolete/Unwanted Pesticide
• Dieldrin 715,881 Database
• Endrin 71,617
• Heptachlor 6,597
• Mirex 56
• Toxaphene 314,447
• Total 1,821,476
• PCB 12,988 tons 15 countries Basel 1998

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New POPs

• Goal to identify possible POPs as early as
  possible in assessment programs and take action
  to reduce or eliminate generation and/or releases
• Parties with regulatory and assessment schemes
  shall- New substances take measures to
  regulate them with the aim to prevent production
  and use of new POPs- in-use substances
  consider the screening criteria for POPs
  candidates for addition to the Convention
• Convention does not require the establishment of
  such programs

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Criteria for New POPs (Annex D)

• Chemical identity Name (trade, commercial,
  synonyms, CAS, IUPAC, CAS RN) structure,
  isomers
• Persistence t1/2 water gt 2 months, t1/2 soil /
  sediment gt 6 months
• Bioaccumulation BCF or BAF gt 5 000 or log KOW gt
  5
• Potential for Long-Range Environmental
  TransportMeasured or modelled data, pathways
  air, water, migratory species t1/2 air gt 2 d
• Adverse effect Evidence or (eco)toxicity data
  show adverse effect to human health or
  environment.

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General Obligations

• Designate a National Focal Point
• Develop, implement and update an implementation
  plan
• Promote and facilitate a wide range of public
  information, awareness and education measures for
  policy makers and all stakeholders
• Encourage and, as resources permit, undertake
  research, development, monitoring and cooperation
  on all aspects of POPs and their alternatives
• Report to the COP on measures taken by Party to
  implement the Convention- effectiveness of the
  measures taken- data concerning trade in
  intentionally produced POPs

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Financial Technical Assistance

• Developing countries and countries with economies
  in transition will need technical assistance
• Regional and sub-regional centers will be
  established for capacity building and transfer of
  technology to assist countries in need
• Developed countries will provide technical
  assistance and new and additional financial
  resources to meet full incremental
  implementation cost
• Global Environment Facility (GEF) is named as the
  principal entity of the interim financial
  mechanism to handle funding of capacity building
  and other related activities

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Implementation Aspects

• Convention will enter into force 90 days after
  50th ratification/accession
• COP will be established to oversee
  implementation- must meet within 1 year of
  entry-into-force thereafter at regular
  intervals- must review effectiveness of
  Convention commencing 4 years after
  entry-into-force, and periodically thereafter
  COP1 will arrange for comparable monitoring
  data on presence of POPs and regional/global
  environmental transport, and for reports on
  monitoring on regional and global basis-
  COP1 to establish POPs Review Committee
• UNEP will provide the Secretariat.

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Convention Status

• Opened for signature on May 23, 2001
  (Stockholm)until May 22, 2002 (New York at UN
  headquarters)- 151 Countries have signed- 21
  Parties to the convention
• INC-6 - June 17-21, 2002 in Geneva-
  Preparations for COP1- Implement the Stockholm
  resolutions
• INC-7 June 2003 in Geneva

• Convention text available in six languages

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Web Sites

• UNEP homepagehttp//www.chem.unep.ch/pops
• Stockholm Convention homepagehttp//www.pops.in
  thttp//www.chem.unep.ch/sc