Setting global deadlines for the elimination of major groups of persistent organic pollutants

Abstract

The increasing number of substances nominated for evaluation and subsequently listed in the Stockholm Convention, while scientifically justified, highlights the urgent need to establish global timelines underpinned by a coherent strategy for their elimination. With the exception of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), there are currently no legally binding deadlines for phasing out the production, use, or disposal of waste and stockpiles of other persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Given the lack of a compliance procedure and mechanism under the Convention, Parties must agree on clear deadlines, targets and strategies for POPs elimination, building on the momentum and drawing lessons from the shortcomings of the PCBs phase-out model. This would help mobilise a more concerted effort among Parties, stimulate stronger political will, guide funding priorities, and facilitate the transition to safer alternatives, all of which would also enhance the active engagement of independent scientists in chemical assessment, thereby helping to prevent repeated patterns of regrettable substitution. However, several factors may undermine the effectiveness of any agreed deadlines. These include delays in ratifying the Convention and its subsequent amendments, the high cost of shipment and destruction of stockpiles and waste, the absence of Harmonized System (HS) codes and standardized labelling for traceability and transparency, and the limited capacity of some Parties to identify POPs in products, articles and waste.