To minimize the releases of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from unintentional production, Parties shall promote in some cases and require in others, the use of best available techniques (BAT), and promote the application of best environmental practices (BEP). When applying BAT & BEP, Parties should take into consideration the guidelines on BAT & BEP developed under the Stockholm Convention and adopted by the Conference of the Parties (decision SC-3/5). In accordance with decision SC-1/20, the Secretariat is undertaking awareness raising activities on these guidelines at regional and sub-regional levels.
In its decision SC-3/7, the Parties to the Stockholm Convention requested the Secretariat to undertake training and other capacity building activities to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition in implementing the Basel Convention technical guidelines on POPs waste. In response to this request, the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention has developed an electronic training tool on the POPs wastes guidelines and provide direct assistance to Parties through regional workshops on the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of POPs waste.
Workshop Highlights
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increased knowledge on Party obligations pertaining to unintentional emissions of POPs, environmentally sound management of PCBs and POPs wastes under the Stockholm Convention;
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enhanced understanding of concepts, principles and standards presented in the guidelines on best available techniques & best environmental practices (BAP&BEP) and in the interactive training tool on POPs wastes, as well as their possible interlinkages; in order to facilitate the effective implementation of these guidelines at national level;
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experiences and lessons learned exchanged among the relevant stakeholders, in addressing unintentional emissions of POPs and environmentally sound management of PCBs and POPs wastes, including delivery of technical assistance and transfer of technologies and knowledge;
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feedback received by the Secretariat on the experience from Parties in using the various guidelines and training tools as well as their usefulness.