What is the Stockholm Convention?
The Stockholm Convention on POPs is a convention that seeks
to eliminate or restrict the production and the use of all
internationally produced POPs. Under the Convention, 12 substances
are now listed in addition to PCBs, including dioxin and pesticides,
such as DDT and HCH. Intergovernmental negotiations got underway
in 1998, and finally in December 2000, in Johannesburg, agreement
was reached on the text of the treaty. In May 2001, the Convention
was adopted in Stockholm. Member nations have begun to ratify
the agreement and it will enter into force after the 50th
ratification. Countries that have ratified the convention
must phase out PCB use before 2025.
12 POPs under Stockholm Convention
 |
|
Use
|
Name |
|
|
Agrochemicals
|
DDT
Toxaphene
Chlordane
Heptachlor
Endrin
Aldrin
Dieldrin |
Pesticide
|
Hexachlorobenzene(HCB) |
Fireproofing agent
|
Mirex |
Insulator, Heat medium
|
Polychlorinated Biphenyl(PCB)
|
Byproducts
|
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin
Polychlorinated dibenzofuran |
|
|
|
Ratify the Stockholm Convention
Once countries ratify the convention, they must lay out
a plan for PCB disposal and proceed with their plans. Thus,
in order to eliminate PCBs as soon as possible, it is important
to encourage as many countries as possible to ratify the
convention.
So far, 29 nations have ratified the convention (as of Feb,
2003). If your country has not ratified the Stockholm Convention,
help encourage domestic pressure on your government to ratify
the convention.
Countries which ratified (accepted, approved, acceded)
the Stockholm Convention convention (as of Feb, 2003):
Australia, Botswana, Canada, Czech Republic, Democratic
People's Republic of Korea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Germany,
Iceland, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Luzembourg, Marshall
Islands, Mexico, Nauru, Netherlands, Norway, Rwanda, Saint
Lucia, Samoa, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden,Trinidad and
Tobago, United Arab Emirates,Viet Nam
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