Environmental quality

Persistent Organic Pollutants

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

About the Stockholm Convention

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants  came into force on 17 May 2004, with Australia ratifying the Convention on 20 May 2004 and becoming a Party on 18 August 2004.

The Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with a range of control measures to reduce and, where feasible, eliminate POPs releases, including emissions of unintentionally produced POPs such as dioxins. The Convention also aims to ensure the sound management of stockpiles and wastes that contain POPs.

There are currently twelve POPs listed in Annexes to the Convention. These are:

POPs listed in Annexes to the Stockholm Convention
Aldrin
Chlordane
Dieldrin
Endrin		 Heptachlor
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
Mirex
Toxaphene		 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
DDT
Dioxins
Furans

The Convention recognises that there are other chemicals that could pose similar hazardous threats to human health and the environment, therefore other chemicals may be added in the future.

Australia is well advanced in meeting the measures agreed under the Convention. Production, import and use of aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, HCB, heptachlor, endrin, and toxaphene are not permitted in Australia. Production and import of PCBs are also not permitted in Australia, with phase-out of existing PCBs being managed under the National Strategy for the Management of Scheduled Waste. This strategy also addresses how Australia will manage HCB waste and organochlorine pesticides.

At the time of ratifying the Convention, Australia registered an exemption for the continued use of the pesticide mirex, which was used under licence in small quantities in the Northern Territory to control giant termites. Since 1 February 2007, the use of mirex became illegal. An alternative pesticide (fipronil) has been developed, and permits have been issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The Northern Territory Government has collected all remaining mirex for safe destruction. Australia will proceed to withdraw its exemption for the use of mirex under the Convention.

How will Australia implement its obligations?

Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention requires each Party to develop, and endeavour to put into practice, a plan setting out how it will implement its obligations under the Convention. Australia is well positioned in implementing its obligations under the Stockholm Convention, with much of the work already done or under way.

National Implementation Plan

The Australian Government has developed Australia's National Implementation Plan (NIP), which outlines the actions that Australia:

The NIP also sets out the roles and responsibilities of Australian governments, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) and other ministerial councils in the management of chemicals in Australia.

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts led the development of the NIP, in consultation with other Australian Government agencies including the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Health and Ageing; Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Industry, Tourism and Resources, as well as state and territory environment protection agencies. Non-government environment and industry organisations were also consulted in the preparation of the NIP.

The Australian Government has established two forums to consult with stakeholders:

Stockholm Intergovernmental Forum

The Stockholm Intergovernmental Forum comprises representatives from Commonwealth, State and Territory government agencies with an interest in POPs, and was established in September 2004.

Stockholm Reference Group

The Stockholm Reference Group comprises representatives from industry, environment, primary producers and health sectors and any other groups, companies or individuals with an interest in POPs. Under the chair of the Department of the Environment and Heritage, the Stockholm Reference Group assisted in the development of Australia's NIP and aims to:

Table 1: Australia's action on the 12 POPs listed under the Convention

POP Cas no. Description Production, use and importation restrictions
Aldrin 309-00-2 Pesticide Final registration cancelled 1992 and importation prohibited.
Dieldrin 60-57-1 Pesticide Final registration cancelled 1988 and importation prohibited.
DDT (pp'- DDT) 50-29-3 Pesticide Final registration cancelled 1987 and importation prohibited.
Endrin 72-20-8 Pesticide Final registration cancelled 1987 and importation prohibited.
Chlordane 57-74-9 Pesticide Final registration cancelled 1997 and importation prohibited.
Hexachloro-benzene (HCB) 118-74-1 Pesticide, Industrial by-product Final registration cancelled 1980 and importation prohibited. National strategy for HCB waste provides for management and destruction of stockpile.
Mirex 2385-85 Pesticide Final registration cancelled 2007. Prohibited import.
Toxaphene 8001-35-2 Pesticide Final registration cancelled 1987.
Heptachlor 76-44-8 Pesticide Final registration cancelled 1997 and importation prohibited.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) - Industrial by-product Importation of PCBs is banned unless explicit permission is granted by the Minister for Customs. National strategy proposes to remove and destroy all PCBs by end 2009.
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans - By-product No federal emission standards but most states have some regulations. Reporting under National Pollutant Inventory.

Chemical information