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Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants

Document type
Multilateral
Field of application
Regional/restricted
Date
Jun 24, 1998
Source
IUCN (ID: TRE-001281)
Title abbreviation

POP Protocol

Title (French)

Protocole à la Convention sur la pollution atmosphérique transfrontière à longue distance, relatif aux pollutants organiques persistants

Title (Spanish)

Protocolo a la Convención de 1979 sobre la contaminación atmosférica transfronteriza a larga distancia relativo a los contaminantes orgánicos persistentes

Title (Other)

Protokoll zu dem Übereinkommen von 1979 über weiträumige grenzüberschreitende Luftverunreinigung durch persistente organische Schadstoffe

Place of adoption
Aarhus
Depository
UN United Nations
Language
English, French, Russian
Entry into force
Oct 23, 2003
Subject
Waste & hazardous substances
Keyword
Education Air quality/air pollution Long-range air pollution Emission standards Data collection/reporting Air pollution (non-stationary sources) Transboundary effects Monitoring Technology transfer Enforcement/compliance Pollution control Hazardous substances Air pollution (stationary sources) Emissions Dispute settlement Research
Abstract

Objective: To control, reduce or eliminate discharges, emissions and losses of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Summary of provisions: The Protocol covers POPs defined in article 1.7. Article 3 sets out the Contracting Parties basic obligations. Each Party agrees to eliminate the production and use of the substances listed in Annex I and to ensure that their destruction is undertaken in an environmentally sound manner (art. 3.1). Parties further undertake to restrict the substances listed in Annex II to the uses described (art. 3.3) as well as reducing their annual emissions of the substances listed in Annex III from the level of emission in a reference year set in accordance with that annex (art. 3.5). Moreover, Parties agree to apply best available techniques listed in Annex V and limit values specified in Annex IV to new stationnary sources and, if technically and economically feasible, to existing ones. Each Party also agrees to develop and maintain emission inventories for the substances listed in Annex III and to collect information relating to the production and sales of the substances listed in Annex I and II (art. 3.8). Article 4, however, defines a number of exemptions to the above-mentionned obligations. Parties further undertake to facilitate the exchange of information and technology to reduce the generation and emissions of POPs and develop cost-effective alternatives (art. 5). They also agree to inform the general public, particularly users, e.g. on risks assessment and reduction (art. 6). Finally, Parties undertake to encourage research, development, monitoring and cooperation related inter alia, to the emissions, transport and deposition levels, relevant effects on human health and the environment, best available techniques and effects-based approaches (art. 8).

Institutional mechanisms: A reporting mechanism is instituted by article 9, subject to Parties's laws governing the confidentiality of commercial information. The Executive Body set up by the Convention receive the report, and the Implementation Committee reviews the compliance of each Party to its obligations under this Protocol (art. 11). Parties undertake to review the information supplied at sessions of the Executive Body (art. 10). Article 12 determines a procedure for the settlement of disputes.

(Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005)

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Website
www.unece.org
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