Public Consultation Launched For The Stockholm Convention

The Stockholm Convention has initiated a public consultation process to review and update its guidelines and guidance on best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP). This ongoing review, part of the Convention's commitment to addressing persistent organic pollutants (POPs), aims to incorporate the latest scientific knowledge and technological advancements in environmental practices. The process is being conducted in accordance with decisions SC-8/6 and SC-11/5 by experts nominated by Parties and others through the joint Toolkit and BAT/BEP expert roster.

The consultation invites Parties and observers to submit comments on the draft guidelines by 16 September 2024. These guidelines are crucial for preventing or reducing the release of POPs listed in Annexes A, B, and C of the Convention.

Key Areas Under Review

The experts have identified several key areas as priorities in the ongoing review:

Releases from Intentional Production and Use of POPsUnintentional POPs ReleasesPOPs Contaminated SitesGuidance on BAT/BEP Relevant to Chemicals in Annex A or B

In particular, three draft guidance documents are currently under review:

UV-328: Guidelines on the best available techniques and practices for the production and use of UV-328, with specific exemptions under the Stockholm Convention.Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs): Updated guidelines on the production and use of SCCPs, addressing specific exemptions under the Convention.Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Dechlorane Plus (DP): Updated guidelines focusing on reducing releases of PBDEs and including new information on Dechlorane Plus.

Draft Guidelines Open For Comments

Stakeholders can access the draft documents on the official website and submit their feedback via the designated form. The following documents are now available for review:

Guidance on UV-328 (Draft of August 2024)Guidance on SCCPs (Draft of July 2024)Guidance on PBDEs and Dechlorane Plus (Draft of July 2024)

In addition to these, updates to sections related to the production of pulp using elemental chlorine and specific chemical production processes releasing chemicals listed in Annex C are also open for comments:

Section V.C Production of Pulp Using Elemental Chlorine (Draft of July 2024)Section VI.F Specific Chemical Production Processes (Draft of July 2024)

Invitation To Participate

This consultation process is a vital part of ensuring that the Stockholm Convention's guidelines remain effective in controlling POPs. The Secretariat urges all Parties and observers to review the draft documents and provide their comments by the deadline. Feedback will be instrumental in finalising the guidelines that aim to safeguard human health and the environment from the harmful effects of POPs.