On 25 October 2023, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) of the Stockholm Convention, issued a call for information on a number of proposed persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in advance of its upcoming meeting in September 2024. The POPRC is seeking information on chlorpyrifos, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs).

Stockholm Convention

The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from the effects of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which are substances that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms and pose a risk to human health and the environment. 

POPs can be transported across international borders by air, water or by migratory species, reaching regions where they have never been produced or used. The substances listed in the Convention are generally banned from production, marketing or use, unless specific exemptions or acceptable purposes for continued use are agreed. 

Parties to the Convention may propose a substance for listing if they have gathered evidence suggesting that it may be a POP. The technical scientific committee of the Stockholm Convention (POPRC) will then review and further develop the evidence that the substance has POP characteristics. 

If there is evidence that a substance has POP characteristics, the POPRC then considers the social and economic impacts of banning or restricting that substance and makes recommendations to the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention, which meets every two years. 

Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins

Chlorinated paraffins are used as plasticisers for polyvinyl chloride, as extreme pressure additives in metal-machining fluids, as additives to paints, coatings, and sealants to improve their resistance to chemicals and to water, and as flame retardants in plastics, fabrics, paints, and coatings.

Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) were recommended for listing as POPs under the Stockholm Convention at the 19^th meeting of the POPRC (POPRC-19) in October 2023. The Committee decided to recommend that the Conference of the Parties to consider listing chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14–17 and chlorination levels of 45 % chlorine or more by weight in Annex A to the Convention with specific exemptions for some applications.

The Committee has invited Parties and observers to provide information that would assist it in possibly strengthening of the recommendations. The deadline for submissions is 24 January 2024 and the information submission forms for MCCPs can be found here.

In particular, the POPRC is specifically asking for the following:

• Information to enable the specification of the chemical identity.

• Information to enable the determination of concentration limits.

• Any other information, including information on the applications relating to specific exemptions.

Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids

Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), their salts and precursors have water, oil, dirt and grease repellent properties and are used in a wide range of products, including personal care products, cleaning products, and surface treatments for textiles, upholstery, leather, automotive parts, carpets and paper products, and packaging. They belong to the group of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). 

The POPRC has adopted the Risk Management Evaluation of LC-PFCAs, their salts, and related compounds, and recommended that the substances be listed for elimination in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention. The Committee invited Parties and observers to provide information that would assist in the possible definition of specific exemptions for the production and use of LC-PFCAs, their salts and related compounds. The deadline for comments is 24 January 2024 and the information submission forms for LC-PFCAs can be found here.

Chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate pesticide widely used as an agricultural insecticide and as a biocide to control non-agricultural pests. After completing a risk profile for chlorpyrifos, the POPRC has adopted a risk profile and decided that chlorpyrifos is likely to cause significant adverse human health and environmental effects, as a result of its long-range environmental transport and that global action is therefore warranted.

The Committee has requested additional information on the socio-economic considerations for chlorpyrifos to support the preparation of a risk management evaluation as specified in Annex F of the Stockholm Convention. The deadline is 1 December 2023.

At the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP-5), significant progress was made by adopting 21 decisions to further protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury. COP-5 was held in Geneva from 30 October to 3 November 2023 and the meeting attracted more than 800 participants and 900 online viewers.

Background on the Minamata Convention

The Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted in 2013, is the most recent global agreement on environment and health. It is named after the bay in Japan where, in the mid-20th century, mercury-contaminated industrial wastewater poisoned thousands of people, causing severe health damage that became known as the “Minamata disease”. Since the Convention entered into force on 16 August 2017, 147 Parties have been working together to control the supply and trade of mercury, reduce mercury use, emissions and releases of mercury, raise public awareness, and build the necessary institutional capacity.

Decisions taken at COP-5

New phase-out dates:

• By 2025, the use of all mercury-added cosmetics must be phased out, with the exception of products intended for use around the eyes area due to the unavailability of safe substitute preservatives. This includes skin-lightening soaps and creams.

• Certain batteries, switches, relays, and fluorescent lamps will be phased out between 2025 and 2027, depending on the type.

• The use of mercury as a catalyst in polyurethane production will be phased out by 2025.

Dental amalgam:

• Parties that have not yet phased out dental amalgam will now be required to submit a national action plan every four years on their progress in phasing out or phasing down dental amalgam.

• Further action on dental amalgam will be considered at COP-6 in 2025.

Mercury waste:

• Guidance on BAT (best available techniques) and BEP (best environmental practices) for controlling mercury releases to land and water was adopted.

• Parties were encouraged to continue to advance their efforts to control mercury emissions to the atmosphere and to develop emission inventories.

• A threshold value of 15 mg/kg total mercury concentration was established for for waste contaminated with mercury or mercury compounds.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM):

• Advocate for greater involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities in Convention projects on artisanal and small-scale gold mining, to promote broader participation.

• The importance of protecting and strengthening traditional livelihoods and cultural practises was highlighted and further action was called for in the development and implementation of National Action Plans.

Conclusion

This progress at COP-5 underlines a collective commitment to a healthier, more sustainable future and marks critical steps forward in the global fight against mercury pollution. The decisions taken not only reflect immediate actions but also set the stage for ongoing strategies, emphasising the importance of continued cooperation and commitment to environmental protection.