A government nominates a chemical when it is concerned that the substance behaves like a persistent organic pollutant (POP), meaning the substance persists in the environment, travels long distances, builds up in living tissue, and causes harm. As the world grapples with the many problems posed by plastics, there are questions if some chemicals used in plastics have these POP characteristics.

Several issues highlighted the growing challenge of eliminating persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from complex global supply chains. With only one draft risk profile on the agenda, participants also focused on the need for exemptions and how best to collect information on complex chemical groups.

At the end of a long week of negotiations, delegates adopted the Global Framework on Chemicals – For a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste, along with 12 resolutions and a High-level Declaration to ensure chemicals are managed so that human health and the environment are protected from their dangers.

Beyond addressing resource mobilization and the illegal traffic of hazardous chemicals and wastes, delegates tried to effectiveness challenges under the Rotterdam Convention, listed new persistent organic pollutants and adopted a compliance mechanism under the Stockholm Convention, and tackled guidelines on different categories of hazardous wastes under the Basel Convention.

Through its expert reviews, the Committee advanced all but one of the chemicals under consideration to their next stage of being labelled as a persistent organic pollutant. Two chemicals were recommended for listing under the Stockholm Convention: Dechlorane Plus, a flame retardant, and UV-328, an ultraviolet filter used in plastics.