Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

1. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Unit Outline • 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 2 Categories of POPs • The intentionally produced POPs include: - pesticides and industrial chemicals that may be traded between countries. • The unintentionally produced POPs which are by-products of industrial or other processes involving combustion which are not products in commerce.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Initial list of 12 POPs

11. List of 9 new POPs

12. 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.

13. Control Measures • 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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*

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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 reportingis available in the Convention web page www.pops.int

23. Conclusion Any Questions Review lesson objectives Clarify Main Points