The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) concluded its review of four of the five chemicals under consideration. It agreed to defer its consideration of the draft risk profile on chlorpyrifos, after members were unable to agree that the pesticide was likely to lead to adverse effects due to its long-range environmental transport such that global action is warranted.
The Committee forwarded to the Conference of the Parties (COP) recommendations to list Dechlorane Plus and UV-328 under Annex A of the Stockholm Convention. This would eliminate production and use of the chemicals. For the flame retardant and the UV-filter used in plastics, there are many current uses, such as in spare parts in vehicles. The POPRC’s recommendations include recommendations for time-limited exemptions for some uses. These recommendations will be considered by parties in May 2023.
For the two other draft risk profiles, on “medium chain chlorinated paraffins” and LC-PFCAs, the Committee agreed that, due to their long range environmental transport, they are likely to lead to adverse effects such that global action is warranted. Draft risk management evaluations will be prepared for consideration at the next Committee meeting.
The Committee also adopted decisions related to the ongoing, allowed uses for other listed chemicals. These decisions help inform the COP’s decisions on whether and when to withdraw these exemptions.
The next POPRC meeting will be 9-13 October 2023 in Rome, Italy.
Selected Images
POPRC Chair Peter Dawson, New Zealand
POPRC member Thabile Ndlovu, Eswatini
POPRC member Martien Janssen, the Netherlands, speaks with observers from Japan
POPRC member Salah Soliman, Egypt
POPRC member Gotfried Uiseb, Namibia, speaks with Ian Doyle, UK
NGOs at POPRC