Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Because of their persistence, these chemical substances are transported across international boundaries far from their sources and they persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a  great hazard to human health and the environment.

International Initiatives

Two binding international documents were concluded at the call of the international society for reducing and/or eliminating the production, use and release of POPs:

• The Executive Body of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) adopted the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Aarhus (Denmark) on 24 June 1998 and the Protocol took into force on 23 October 2003.
• 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 two documents specify the following:

1. Prohibit and/or eliminate the production and use of the intentionally produced POPs;

2. Restrict the import and export of the intentionally produced POPs;

3. Reduce or eliminate releases from unintentionally produced POPs;

4. Ensure that stockpiles and wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with POPs are managed safely and in an environmentally sound manner;

5. To target additional POPs.

EU POPs Regulation

The European Union signed the Protocol and the Convention in 2004 and also published Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 for the administration of POPs. Amendments have been made to the Regulation along with the development of the society and technology.

Contents

ANNEX I List of Substances Subject to Prohibitions

Part A — Substances listed in the Convention and in the Protocol as well as substances listed only in the Convention

Part B — Substances listed only in the Protocol

ANNEX II List of Substances Subject to Restrictions

Part A — Substances listed in the Convention and in the Protocol

Part B — Substances listed only in the Protocol

ANNEX III List of Substances Subject to Release Reduction Provisions

ANNEX IV List of Substances Subject to Waste Management Provisions Set out in Article 7

ANNEX V Waste Management

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