Stockholm Convention on Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic PollutantsPersistent Organic Pollutants

IntroductionIntroductionOver 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 ObjectivesUnit ObjectivesAt the end of the unit participants will be able to:Explain the scope and purpose of the Stockholm ConventionIdentify Persistent Organic Pollutants covered by the Stockholm conventionDiscuss control measures used in the regulation of Trade in POPs Determine the role of Customs and border controlContribute to the Information exchange & clearing house mechanism

Unit OutlineUnit Outline

1. Introduction2. Scope of the Stockholm Convention3. Identifying POPs4. Measures to Regulate Trade in POPs5. Role of Customs and Border Control6. Information Exchange & Clearing

House Mechanism7. Conclusion

Scope of the ConventionScope of the ConventionThe 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 ConventionStatus of the ConventionThe Stockholm Convention, was adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004

There are 157 Parties to the Convention includingall 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 POPs2 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.

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 POPsHarmful Effects of POPs

Harmful Effects of POPsHarmful 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 POPsInitial list of 12 POPs

Chemical PesticidesIndustrial chemicals

By-products

Aldrin

Chlordane

DDT

Dieldrin

Endrin

Heptachlor

Mirex

Toxaphene

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

Hexachlorobenzene

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

+

+

+

+

Chlorinated Dioxins

Chlorinated Furans

+

+

List of 9 new POPsList of 9 new POPs

Chemical PesticidesIndustrial chemicals

By-products

Alpha Hexachlorocyclohexane + +

Beta Hexachlorocyclohexane + +

Chlordecone +

Commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether +

Commercial octabromodiphenyl ether +

Hexabromobiphenyl +

Lindane +

Pentachlorobenzene + + +

Perfluoroctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perflurooctane sulfonyl fluiride (PFOs)

+

Control Measures 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 MeasuresControl MeasuresElimination (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 researchNational Implementation PlanExchange of information* Reporting*Effectiveness evaluationTechnical assistance and Financial

mechanism

*Steps with particular relevance to customs and enforcement officers / agents

EliminationElimination

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

RestrictionRestriction 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 & wastesManaging 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/ExportImport/ExportParties 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 International Trade in POPsPOPs

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 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 chemicala list of States from which chemicals are importeda list of States to which chemicals are exported.

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

Role of Customs Role of Customs

Information exchange & Information exchange & Clearing House MechanismClearing House Mechanism

Parties shall: facilitate/undertake exchange of POPs informationdesignate 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 exchangesDirect linkage between Parties and Secretariatwww.pops.int

ReportingReportingEach 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

ConclusionConclusion

Any Questions

Review lesson objectives

Clarify Main Points