Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants

One of the major goals of the Stockholm Convention is the continuing minimization and, where feasible, ultimate elimination of unintentionally produced POPs listed in Annex C, Part I:

As of 2019, the following POPs listed in Annexes C, Part I to the Stockholm Convention: 

  • Hexachlorobenzene (HCB);
  • Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD)
  • Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB);
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB);
  • Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF); and
  • Polychlorinated naphtalenes (PCN).

According to Article 5, parties are required to identify, characterize, quantify and prioritize sources of releases of unintentional POPs, and develop strategies with concrete measures, timelines and goals to minimize or eliminate these releases.

To reduce the total releases of POPs derived from anthropogenic sources, parties are also required to implement best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practice (BEP) for the sources listed in Annex C, Parts II and III.

To facilitate the implementation of Article 5, a harmonized framework for elaboration of comparable release inventories of Annex C chemicals was developed. It ensures that source inventories and release estimates are complete, transparent, as well as consistent in format and content. Detailed state-of the-art guidelines on best available techniques and guidance on best environmental practices are also available to facilitate implementation of BAT and BEP at the national level.