COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Union's Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Accompanying the document REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF REGIONS On the review and update of the first European Community Implementation Plan in accordance with Article 8(4) of Regulation No 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants
Date: 2014-06-03
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: UN regional commission, chemical product, international agreement, labelling, organic pollution, pollutant, pollution control, public health, toxic substance, waste management













EUR-Lex - 52014SC0172 - EN











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52014SC0172

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Union's Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Accompanying the document REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF REGIONS On the review and update of the first European Community Implementation Plan in accordance with Article 8(4) of Regulation No 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants /* SWD/2014/0172 final - 2014/ () */









TABLE OF CONTENT
Preface. 3
1............ Introduction. 4
1.1......... Persistent
Organic Pollutants (POPs) 4
1.2......... International
agreements addressing POPs. 4
1.2.1...... UNECE
Protocol on POPs. 4
1.2.2...... Stockholm
Convention. 5
1.2.3...... Coordination and cooperation among the
Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions  7
1.3......... Purpose
of the Union Implementation Plan (UIP) on POPs. 8
PART I – Party Baseline. 9
2............ Key Union Legislation
and Policies related to EU’s Obligations under the Stockholm Convention and
UNECE POP Protocol 9
2.1......... Legislative
instruments. 11
2.1.1...... The
POP Regulation. 11
2.1.2...... EU
chemical legislation. 12
2.1.2.1... REACH.. 12
2.1.2.2... CLP. 14
2.1.2.3... Regulation
on Plant Protection Products. 14
2.1.2.4... Biocides
Directive. 14
2.1.2.5... Regulation
on the export and import of dangerous chemicals. 15
2.1.2.6... PCB
Directive (Directive 96/59/EC) 15
2.1.3...... Other
environmental legislation with POP relevance. 16
2.1.4...... Legislation
covering unintentional POPs. 17
2.1.5...... Legislation
on food and feed and on the protection of public health. 19
2.1.6...... Information
exchange between Commission and Member States on POPs in food and consumer
products  19
2.1.7...... Emission
monitoring legislation. 20
2.1.8...... Public
access to environmental information. 20
2.2......... Strategies,
policies and programmes. 20
2.2.1...... Sustainable
development 20
2.2.2...... Environmental
Action Plan. 20
2.2.3...... Strategies
for control of pesticides and chemical substances. 22
2.2.4...... Environment
and Health Action Plan. 22
2.2.5...... Multilateral
Environmental Agreements (MEAs) 23
2.2.6...... Monitoring
efforts of the EU.. 23
2.3......... Financial
instruments. 24
2.3.1...... Funding
instruments for the EU.. 24
2.3.2...... Funding
for neighbouring and partner countries. 25
2.3.3...... Multilateral
programmes funded by the EU.. 25
2.4......... Research
and Development 26
2.4.1...... European
Research Institutions. 27
2.4.2...... Supporting
co-operation, co-ordination and networking. 28
2.4.3...... Future
research needs. 28
2.5......... Information
Exchange, Public information, awareness and education. 29
3............ Overall Assessment of
the POPs issue in the EU.. 29
3.1......... POPs
regulated before 2009 (“old POPs”) 30
3.1.1...... Production. 30
3.1.2...... Use
and placing on the market 30
3.1.3...... Import
and export 30
3.1.4...... Stockpiles
and waste. 31
3.2......... POPs
regulated from 2009 (“new POPs”) 32
3.2.1...... Endosulfan. 35
3.2.2...... Tetrabromodiphenyl
ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether 35
3.2.3...... Hexabromodiphenyl
ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether 36
3.2.4...... Perfluorooctane
sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride. 38
3.2.5...... Pentachlorobenzene
(PeCB) 38
3.2.6...... SCCPs
– short chain chlorinated paraffins. 39
3.2.7...... HCBD
– hexachlorobutadien. 40
3.2.8...... PCN
– polychlorinated naphthalenes. 40
3.2.9...... Overall
waste related issues for new POPs. 41
3.3......... Unintentional
POPs. 42
3.3.1...... Estimation
and monitoring of emissions. 42
3.3.2...... Addressing
industrial sources. 44
3.3.3...... Addressing
domestic sources. 45
3.4......... Information
on the state of knowledge on stockpiles and contaminated sites. 45
3.4.1...... PCB
contaminated sites and deposits. 46
3.4.2...... HCH
contaminated sites and waste deposits. 46
3.4.3...... Other
POPs Pesticides. 46
3.4.4...... Contaminated
sites from unintentionally formed POPs (PCDD, PCDF, PCB, HCB, PeCB, PAHs) 46
3.4.5...... PBDE
contaminated sites. 47
3.4.6...... PFOS
contaminated sites. 47
3.5......... Emerging
POPs. 48
PART II – Implementation Plan. 49
4............ Policy statement Error!
Bookmark not defined.
5............ Implementation of the
basic obligations of the Stockholm Convention. 49
5.1......... Elimination
of intentional production and use of POPs (Article 3(1)) 49
5.1.1...... POP
pesticides, HCB, HBB and PeCB.. 49
5.1.2...... PCBs. 49
5.1.3...... Hexabromodiphenyl
ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl
ether 50
5.1.4...... DDT. 53
5.1.5...... Perfluorooctane
sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOS) 53
5.2......... Elimination
of import and export of POPs (Article 3(2)) 57
5.3......... Prevention
of the production and use of new chemicals exhibiting characteristics of POPs
(Article 3(3)) 57
5.4......... Assessing
and controlling chemicals in use (Article 3(4)) 58
5.5......... General
exemptions. 59
5.6......... Reduction
of total releases from unintentional production (Article 5) 59
5.7......... Identification
and environmentally sound management of stockpiles and wastes. 62
5.7.1...... Disposal
and destruction of PBDE containing materials. 64
5.7.2...... Disposal
and destruction of PFOS and PFOS precursor containing materials. 66
5.7.3...... Disposal
and destruction of POPs Pesticides. 67
5.7.4...... Destruction
of PCB and PCB containing materials. 67
5.8......... Identification
of contaminated sites (Annex A, B and C Chemicals) and if addressed then
remediation in an environmentally sound manner 67
6............ Implementation of the
obligations on supporting activities. 68
6.1......... Information
exchange. 68
6.2......... Public
information, awareness and education. 69
6.3......... Research,
development and monitoring. 70
7............ Implementation of other
commitments. 72
7.1......... Technical
assistance. 72
7.2......... Financial
Assistance. 72
7.3......... Reporting. 73
7.4......... Effectiveness
evaluation. 74
7.5......... Addition
of Future Chemicals to the Stockholm Convention. 75
8............ EU research projects
since 2007 with references to POP issues. 77
Preface
This Commission
Staff Working Document presents the second European Union Implementation Plan
(UIP) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The first European Community
Implementation Plan (CIP) was developed in 2007 (SEC (2007) 341)[1]. The
review and update of the first Implementation Plan has become necessary to
address; 1) the inclusion of a number of new POPs into the Stockholm Convention
and the UNECE CLRTAP POP Protocol[2]; 2) the
technical and legislative progress made in the area as well as; 3) the findings
of the Commission Report COM (2010) 514 on the application of the Regulation
(EC) 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants (POP Regulation). 
This document
was subject to an open consultation with Member States' competent authorities,
industry, environmental organisations and the general public. The contributions
submitted by the stakeholders were considered for inclusion in the final
version of the second UIP. 
The final second
UIP on POPs will be submitted to the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention,
of which the European Union is a party.
Introduction
1.1.                
Persistent
Organic Pollutants (POPs)
POPs are
chemical substances that persist in the environment, bio-accumulate, and pose a
risk of causing significant adverse effects to human health or the environment.
These pollutants are transported across international boundaries far from their
sources and even accumulate in regions where they have never been used or
produced. POPs pose a threat to the environment and to human health all over
the globe, with the Arctic, Baltic and the Alpine regions being examples of EU
sinks of POPs. International action has been deemed necessary to reduce and
eliminate production, use and releases of these substances. The substances
addressed in the international legal instruments on POPs are listed in Table 1.
1.2.                
International
agreements addressing POPs
1.2.1.          
UNECE
Protocol on POPs[3]
The Executive
Body to the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Trans-boundary Air Pollution
(CLRTAP) adopted the UNECE Protocol on POPs on 24 June 1998 in Aarhus, Denmark. The UNECE Protocol on POPs focuses currently on a list of 16 substances
comprising eleven pesticides, two industrial chemicals and three unintentional
by-products. The ultimate objective is to eliminate any discharges, emissions
and losses of these POP substances.
The UNECE Protocol
on POPs bans the production and use of some products outright (aldrin,
chlordane, chlordecone, dieldrin, endrin, hexabromobiphenyl, mirex and
toxaphene). Others are scheduled for elimination at a later stage
(dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)). In addition, the UNECE Protocol on POPs
severely also restricts the use of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (including
lindane). The Protocol also includes provisions for dealing with the wastes of
products that will be banned and it obliges Parties to reduce their emissions
of dioxins, furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and HCB below their
levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995). For the
incineration of municipal, hazardous and medical waste, it lays down specific
emission limit values.
On 18 December 2009, Parties to the
Protocol on POPs adopted decisions 2009/1, 2009/2 and 2009/3 to amend the
Protocol to include seven new substances: hexachlorobutadiene, octabromodiphenyl
ether, pentachlorobenzene, pentabromodiphenyl ether, perfluorooctane sulfonic
acid (PFOS), its salts and other derivatives, polychlorinated naphthalenes and
short-chain chlorinated paraffins. Furthermore, the Parties revised obligations
for DDT, heptachlor, HCB and PCBs as well as certain emission limit values
(ELVs) from waste incineration, sinter plants and electric arc furnaces for
secondary steel production. Parallel to this, with a view to facilitating the
Protocol’s ratification by countries with economies in transition, the Parties
introduced flexibility for these countries regarding the time frames for the
application of ELVs and best available technologies (BAT). Finally, the Parties
adopted decision 2009/4 to update guidance on BAT to control emissions of POPs
in annex V and turn parts of it into a guidance document (ECE/EB.AIR/2009/14[4]).
These amendments have not yet entered into force.
1.2.2.          
Stockholm Convention[5]
The Stockholm
Convention on POPs was adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004. It
promotes global action on an initial cluster of twelve POP substances, with an
overall objective to protect human health and the environment from POPs and
requires Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs
into the environment. Specific reference is made to a precautionary approach as
set forth in Principle 15 of the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and
Development. This principle is implemented by Article 8 of the Convention,
which lays down the rules for including additional chemicals in the Stockholm
Convention.
The Annexes A, B
and C to the Convention were amended in 2009 to include nine new POPs. The
amendments entered into force on 26 August 2010 and add the following chemicals
to Annexes A, B and/or C of the Convention: alpha hexachlorocyclohexane; beta
hexachloro­cyclohexane; chlordecone; hexabromobiphenyl; hexabromodiphenyl ether
and heptabromo­diphenyl ether (commercial octabromodiphenyl ether); lindane;
pentachloro­benzene; PFOS, its salts and perfluorooactane sulfonyl fluoride
(PFOSF); and tetrabromo­diphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether (commercial
pentabromodiphenyl ether).
The Annex A to
the Convention was further amended in 2011 to include the pesticide endosulfan,
making a total of 22 substances regulated under the Convention. This amendment
entered into force on 27 October 2012. 
The 18 chemicals
currently listed in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention are subject to a
prohibition on production and use, except where there are generic or specific
exemptions. In addition, the production and use of DDT, a pesticide still used
in many developing countries, is severely restricted, as set out in Annex B of
the Stockholm Convention. This is also the case for PFOS, its salts and PFOSF
that have been added as part of the 2009 amendments.
The generic
exemptions allow laboratory-scale research, use as a reference standard and
unintentional trace contaminants in products and articles. Articles containing
POPs manufactured or already in use before the date of entry into force of the
relevant obligation are also subject to an exemption provided that Parties
submit information on the uses and a national plan for waste management for
such articles to the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention. 
Releases of
unintentionally produced by-products listed in Annex C (dioxins, furans, PCBs,
PeCB and HCB) are subject to continuous minimisation with the ultimate
objective of total elimination, where feasible. According to Annex C, Parties
shall promote and, in accordance with their action plans, require the use of
best available techniques for new sources within their major source categories
identified in Part II and Part III of Annex C of the Stockholm Convention.
The Stockholm
Convention also foresees identification and safe management of stockpiles
containing or consisting of POPs. Waste containing, consisting of or
contaminated with POPs should be disposed of in such a way that the POP content
is destroyed or irreversibly transformed so that it does not exhibit POPs characteristics.
Where this does not represent the environmentally preferable option or where
the POP content is low, waste shall be otherwise disposed of in an
environmentally sound manner. Disposal operations that may lead to recovery or
re-use of POPs are explicitly forbidden. With regard to shipment of wastes,
relevant international rules, standards and guidelines, such as the 1989 Basel
Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and
their Disposal, are to be taken into account.
In addition to
control measures, the Stockholm Convention includes several general
obligations. Each Party is obliged to develop and endeavour to implement a
National Implementation Plan, facilitate or undertake the exchange of
information and promote and facilitate awareness and public access to
information on POPs. The Parties shall also encourage or undertake appropriate
research, development, monitoring and co-operation pertaining to POPs, and
where relevant, to their alternatives and to candidate POPs. They shall also
regularly report to the Conference of the Parties on the measures taken to
implement the provisions of the Stockholm Convention.
The Stockholm
Convention recognises the particular needs of developing countries and
countries with economies in transition and therefore specific provisions on
technical assistance and on financial resources and mechanisms are included in
the general obligations.
(1)                                        
Table
1     Overview
on POPs regulated at international level; the new POPs under the Stockholm
Convention are highlighted in grey  
 Substance || CAS || Listed in Stock­holm Convention || Listed in the UNECE Protocol on POPs || EU POP regulation 
 Intentionally produced POPs 
 Aldrin || 309-00-2 || Annex A || yes || Aldrin 
 Chlordane || 57-74-9 || Annex A || yes || Chlordane 
 Chlordecone || 143-50-0 || Annex A || yes || Chlordecone 
 Dieldrin || 60-57-1 || Annex A || yes || Dieldrin 
 Endosulfan || 959-98-8 33213-65-9 115-29-7 1031-07-8 || Annex A || - || - 
 Endrin || 72-20-8 || Annex A || yes || Endrin 
 Heptachlor || 76-44-8 || Annex A || yes || Heptachlor 
 Hexabromobiphenyl (HBB) || 36355-01-8 || Annex A || yes || Hexabromobiphenyl 
 Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether || 68631-49-2 207122-15-4 446255-22-7 207122-16-5 and others || Annex A || yes || Hexabromodiphenyl ether 
 Heptabromodiphenyl ether 
 Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) || 118-74-1 || Annex A || yes || Hexachlorobenzene 
 Alpha hexachlorocyclo­hexane* || 319-84-6 || Annex A || yes: Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH; CAS: 608-73-1[6]), including lindane (CAS: 58-89-9) || Hexachlorocyclohexanes, including lindane 
 Beta hexachlorocyclo­hexane* || 319-85-7 || Annex A 
 Lindane* || 58-89-9 || Annex A 
 Mirex || 2385-85-5 || Annex A || yes || Mirex 
 Pentachlorobenzene || 608-93-5 || Annex A || yes || Pentachlorobenzene 
 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) || all PCBs and their mix­tures have different CAS numbers || Annex A || yes || Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) 
 Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether || 5436-43-1 60348-60-9 and others || Annex A || yes || Tetrabromodiphenyl ether 
 Pentabromodiphenyl ether 
 Toxaphene || 8001-35-2 || Annex A || yes || Toxaphene 
 DDT || 50-29-3 || Annex B || yes || DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chloro-phenyl)ethane)   
 Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOS) || 1763-23-1 s, 307-35-7, and others || Annex B || yes || Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivates (PFOS) 
 SCCPs – short chain chlorinated paraffins || 85535-84-8 || under review || yes || - 
 HCBD – hexachlorobutadien || 87-68-3 || under review || yes || - 
 PCN –polychlorinated naphthalenes || all PCNs & their mixtures have different CAS numbers || under review || yes || - 
 Unintentionally produced POPs 
 Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) || 1746-01-6 || Annex C || yes || Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/PCDF) 
 Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) || 1746-01-6 || Annex C || yes 
 Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) || 118-74-1 || Annex C || yes || Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) 
 Pentachlorobenzene || 608-93-5 || Annex C || yes || Pentachlorobenzene 
 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) || all PCBs & their mix­tures have different CAS numbers || Annex C || yes || Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) 
 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) || 207-08-9 and others || no || yes || Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 
*    Lindane,
Alpha- and Beta hexachlorocyclohexane, as well as Chlordecone and
Hexabromobiphenyl are new POPs under the Stockholm Convention but have already
been covered under the POP Protocol and the EU POP regulation.
1.2.3.          
Coordination
and cooperation among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions are multilateral environmental agreements,
which share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment
from hazardous chemicals and wastes. These agreements can assist countries to
manage chemicals at different stages of their life-cycle.
Recognizing the
potential for synergistic work under the three conventions at the national,
regional and global levels, the international community has worked over the
past years on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention. These efforts culminated in the adoption of
recommendations on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the three
conventions by the three Conferences of the Parties held in 2008 and 2009, and
the holding of simultaneous extraordinary meetings of the Conferences of the
Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions in Bali, Indonesia in February 2010.
The first
outcome of this process is the appointment of a single executive secretary for
the three conventions; restructuring of the secretariats in a manner that
strengthens organizational synergies while respecting the legal autonomy of
each convention.
1.3.                
Purpose
of the Union Implementation Plan (UIP) on POPs
The
Stockholm Convention lays down an obligation to all Parties, to develop and
endeavour to implement a plan for the implementation of its obligations under
the Stockholm Convention. For the Union, this obligation is also transferred to
the Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
The Union has in 2007 therefore developed an Implementation Plan on POPs, which
also covers the substances that fall under the UNECE Protocol on POPs[7].
The overall purpose of the UIP is not
only to fulfill legal obligations, but also to take stock of actions taken and
lay down a strategy and action plan for further Union measures related to POPs
included in the Stockholm Convention and/or in the UNECE Protocol on POPs.
The UIP therefore aims to:
· 
 review
the existing Union level measures related to POPs;
· 
 assess
their efficiency and sufficiency in meeting the obligations of the Stockholm
Convention;
· 
 identify
needs for further Union level measures;
· 
 establish
a plan for implementing the further measures;
· 
 identify
and strengthen links and potential synergies between POPs management and other
environmental policies and other policy fields; and
· 
 increase
awareness on POPs and their control measures.
PART I – Party Baseline
This section
presents the Union’s baseline with regard to POP substances regulated under the
Stockholm Convention and the POP Protocol. As such it includes at first an
overview on the key EU legislation related to the implementation of obligations
in the mentioned international frameworks as well as related EU strategies and
programmes, followed by a description of existing financial instruments to
support the implementation as well as research activities. In order to get a
full picture of the status quo of the implementation, a description will be
provided on what efforts are currently being undertaken by the Union to raise awareness and enhance communication. Furthermore, an overall assessment of
POPs regarding their production, their use, their placing on the market as well
as with regard to existing stockpiles and the contamination of the waste stream
will be described. 
This Part I
‘Party Baseline’ presents the basic information on the EU situation and will be
followed by an in-depth analysis in Part II regarding each single obligation of
the Stockholm Convention. This analysis is followed by the identification of
actions to improve the implementation.
2.                      
Key Union Legislation and Policies related to EU’s
Obligations under the Stockholm Convention and UNECE POP Protocol
The EU has
implemented a number of legislative measures that are related to POPs. The
following figure gives an overview of the main chemical and environmental
legislation relating to POPs and to which stage of the lifecycle it refers to.
Details on the legislation related to POPs are described in the following
sub-sections. 
. 
Figure 1:                 Overview
on the main chemical and environmental legislation related to POPs
NB Directive 2000/76/EC  on the inciniratio of waste
was replaced by Industrial
Emissions Directive on 7th of January 2014.
2.1 Legislative
instruments
2.1.1
The POP Regulation
The main legal instrument for
implementing the Stockholm Convention and the UNECE Protocol on POPs is the Regulation
(EC) No 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (hereafter
called the “POP Regulation”). This Regulation entered into force on 20
May 2004 and as a regulation it is directly applicable in all Member States,
including those which are not yet Parties to the Stockholm Convention or the
UNECE POP Protocol. 
The POP Regulation contains provisions
regarding production, placing on the market and use of chemicals, management of
stockpiles and wastes and measures to reduce unintentional releases of POPs[8].
General and specific exemptions to these prohibitions are limited to a minimum.
Furthermore, the POP Regulation contains provisions requiring the setting up of
emission inventories for unintentionally produced POPs, national and European
Union implementation plans and monitoring and information exchange mechanisms.
To a certain extent the POP Regulation goes further than the international
agreements emphasising the aim to eliminate the production and use of the
internationally recognised POPs.
The POP regulation has been amended
seven times. The concentration limits in Annex IV and V were established by
Regulation (EC) No 1195/2006[9]
and 172/2007[10],
respectively. Annex V was further amended by
Regulation (EC) No 323/2007[11]
in order to allow pre-treatment operations prior to the permanent storage of
wastes containing POPs. Regulation (EC) No
219/2009[12]
empowered the Commission to establish some concentration limits in the annexes,
to amend annexes whenever a substance is listed in the Convention or the
Protocol, to modify the existing entries and to adapt annexes to scientific and
technical progress. The decision of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel
Convention on the updated general technical guidelines for the environmentally
sound management of waste consisting of, containing or contaminated with POPs
was taken up by Regulation (EC) No 304/2009 amending Annexes IV and V as
regards the treatment of waste containing POPs in thermal and metallurgical
production processes[13]
The decisions of the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP4) to
the Stockholm Convention on 4–8 May 2009 to list new substances were taken up
by the Regulation (EU) No 757/2010[14]
amending Annexes I and III and by the Regulation (EU) No 756/2010 of 24 August
2010 amending Annexes IV and V[15].
The Commission adopted further
amendments to Annexes IV and V[16]
to set the missing concentration limit values (the so-called lower and upper
POP content) for PFOS and PBDEs, as wel las amendments toAnnexes I, IV and V to
take into account the decisions of the fifth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties (COP5) to the Stockholm Convention to list Endosulfan and of the 27th
Session of the CLRTAP Executive Body to list hexachlorobutadiene (HCB), poly­chlorinated
naphthalenes (PCN) and short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP).
Concerning management of stockpiles, the
Regulation provides that all remaining stockpiles for which no use is permitted
shall be managed as waste. Stockpiles greater than 50 kg meant for permitted uses
shall be notified to the competent authority and managed in a safe, efficient
and environmentally sound manner. Holder of a stockpile consisting of or
containing any POPs for which no use is permitted shall manage that stockpile
as waste generally in such a way that the POP content is destroyed or
irreversibly transformed.
With regard to wastes, producers and
holders of waste are obliged to undertake measures to avoid contamination of
waste with POP substances. Waste with POPs content higher than the above
mentioned lower POP limits must generally be disposed of or recovered in such a
way that the POP content is destroyed or irreversibly transformed. By way of
derogation, wastes containing POPs below the limit values indicated in Annex V
may be otherwise dealt with in accordance with a method listed in Annex V, part
2, subject to the conditions outlined in Article 7.4 (b).[17].
2.1.2 EU chemical legislation
Other chemical legislation complements
the POP Regulation in implementing the obligations of the Stockholm Convention
and the POP Protocol. As Table
2 shows, the other chemical legislation particularly
ensures that POPs are imported and exported only for allowed uses and in
conformity with the prior informed consent procedure under the Rotterdam
Convention, ensures that POPs are collected and irreversibly destroyed and
prevents that the chemicals exhibiting POP characteristics are produced or
marketed. 
Table
2            EU
chemicals legislation relevant for POPs
 Acronym || Legal reference || POPs regulated / POP reference || Areas of regulation 
 REACH || Regulation 1907/2006 || Testing on PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic) criteria according to Annex XIII || Production, placing on the market & use 
 CLP || Regulation 1272/2008 || Inventory of classification and labelling of hazardous substances. || Classification, Labelling, Packaging 
 Plant Protection Product Regulation || Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 || Active substance, safener or synergist shall only be approved where it is not considered to be a persis­tent organic pollutant (POP) resp. PBT substance. Active substances meeting two of the PBT criteria shall be candidates for substitution || Placing on the market & use 
 Biocidal Products Regulation || Regulation (EC) 528/2012 || Active substances meeting two of the PBT criteria shall be candidates for substitution || Placing on the market & use 
 Export and import of dangerous chemicals || Regulation 689/2008, repealed with effect from 1 March 2014 by Regulation 649/2012 || POPs as listed in Annexes A and B of the Stockholm Convention are subject to export ban || Export and import of dangerous chemicals 
 PCB Directive || Directive 96/59/EC || Disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCB/PCT) || Disposal 
2.1.2.1
REACH
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning
the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
(REACH) inter alia provides provisions to ensure that industrial chemicals
having POP characteristics are identified and prevented from being produced or
imported in the EU. 
REACH requires EU companies which
manufacture or import chemical substances in quantities of one tonne or more
per year to register these substances and ensure that they can be used safely.
This information is submitted in the form of registration dossiers to the
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)[18].
The submission contains a technical dossier and, for substances manufactured or
imported in quantities of 10 tonnes per annum (tonnes p.a.) or above, a
Chemical Safety Report. The chemical safety assessment has to cover:
(a)   
human
health hazard assessment;
(b)    physicochemical
hazard assessment;
(c)    environmental
hazard assessment;
(d)   persistent,
bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and very persistent and very bioaccumulative
(vPvB) assessment. 
For hazardous substances (such as those
assessed to be a PBT or vPvB), an exposure assessment and risk characterisation
must be included in the Chemical Safety Report. For some of the substances
identified as PBT or vPvB, an authorisation from the Commission is required for
particular uses. This is the case when a substance
meeting the substances of very high concern (SVHC) criteria[19]
is included in Annex XIV of the Regulation and will then become banned once the
set sunset date has passed unless an authorization is granted. Only specific
uses for which a request for authorization has been made following specific
requirements with regard to the assessment of the substance can be allowed.
Prior to inclusion into Annex XIV the selected substances are part of the
so-called Candidate List which in itself already implies a number of
obligations such as e.g. the obligation to deliver information on the content
of a substance in an article.
REACH further includes the possibility
to restrict the use, placing on the market or production of substances by
listing them in Annex XVII of REACH. This is another legal instrument that can
be used to prevent production and use of substances having POP characteristics.

With the above described measures REACH
gives greater responsibility to industry to manage the risks from chemicals and
to provide safety information on the substances. This information has to be
passed down the chain of production. The REACH Regulation also
aims to
increase the knowledge
of the chemicals properties
and of the exposure through the required provision of
specific documentation and to improve the risk
management of chemicals.
2.1.2.2. CLP
The CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 is
the European Regulation[20]
on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemical substances and mixtures.
The legislation introduces throughout the EU a system for classifying and
labelling chemicals, based on the United Nations’ Globally Harmonised System
(UN GHS). CLP is about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures and how
to inform others about them. The CLP does not contain a specific hazard class
for PBT and vPvB substances, however article 53(2) call for the promotion at
the UN level for the harmonisation of the criteria for classification and
labelling of PBT and vPvB substances. However, the classification and labelling
inventory[21]
set up by the CLP Regulation make available relevant information that can be
used to identify new potential POP candidates and also provides classification
and labelling on several POPs.  
 2.1.2.3.
Regulation
on Plant Protection Products
Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009[22]
concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (PPP
Regulation) prevents chemicals exhibiting POP characteristics from being used
in plant protection products. This is achieved by the provisions according to
which an active substance, safener or synergist shall only be approved for use
in plant protection products where it is not considered to be  a POP or if it
is not considered to be a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substance
or a very persistent and very bioaccumalative substance (vPvB). In addition, a
substance shall be approved as a candidate for substitution if it meets two of
the PBT criteria.
2.1.2.4.
Biocides Products
Regulation
The previous legislation, Directive
98/8/EC on biocidal products, did not contain specific provisions for POP nor
for PBT/vPvB substances. However, on 12 June 2009, the European Commission
adopted a proposal for a Regulation concerning the placing on the market and
use of biocidal products (COM (2009) 267[23]) to replace
Directive 98/8/EC. The regulation (EU) 528/2012 entered into force on 1 January
2013. 
The regulation aims to promote
substitution of substances exhibiting POP or PBT characteristics in biocidal
products for less hazardous ones and allows the use of POP or PBT substances in
biocidal products only if there are no alternatives available. This is achieved
by the provision that an active substance that meets two of the PBT criteria as
set out in Annex XIII of the REACH Regulation shall be considered a candidate
for substitution and shall be identified as such in Annex I of the new Biocide
Regulation. The inclusion of an active substance in Annex I that is considered
as a candidate for substitution shall be renewed for a period not exceeding ten
years. As part of the evaluation of an application for an authorisation (or a
renewal of an authorisation) of a biocidal product containing an active
substance that is a candidate for substitution, the Competent authority shall perform
a comparative assessment to evaluate whether there are other authorised
biocidal products (or non-chemical control or prevention methods) which present
significantly lower risk for human or animal health or the environment.
2.1.2.5.
Regulation
on the export and import of dangerous chemicals
2.1.2.6. The export of POP substances or articles
containing POPs is regulated by Regulation (EU) No 649/2012  concerning the
export and import of hazardous chemicals. This Regulation implements the
Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain
Hazardous Chemicals and pesticides in International Trade and provides for an
export ban of POP substances listed in Annex A and B of the Stockholm
Convention and in Regulation (EC) No 850/2004. The decisions of the fourth
meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP4) to the Stockholm Convention
held on 4–8 May 2009 to list new substances were implemented by Regulation (EU)
No 214/2011 and currently the export of all substances listed in Annexes A and
B of the Stockholm Convention except PFOS is banned. The fifth Conference of
the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (April 2011) decided to list endosulfan
in Annex A. That decision was implemented in the European Union by Regulation
(EU) No 73/2013, which adds endosulfan to the list of chemicals that are banned
for export. The export of PFOS is currently still possible, but only on
condition that the importing country consents to the import of that chemical. PCB
Directive (Directive 96/59/EC)
Articles containing PCBs already in use
are covered by specific provisions laid down in Directive 96/59/EC. The
directive aims for the approximation of the laws of the Member States on the
controlled disposal of PCBs, the decontamination or disposal of equipment
containing PCBs and/or the disposal of used PCBs in order to eliminate them
completely. According to the Directive, Member States had to take the necessary
measures to ensure that used PCBs are disposed of and that PCBs and equipment
containing PCBs are decontaminated or disposed of in an appropriate manner.
Member States were obliged to compile
inventories of equipment with PCB volumes of more than 5 dm³. These inventories
were to be sent to the Commission by September 1999 at the latest. The equipment
and PCBs contained in the inventories had to be decontaminated or disposed of
by 2010 at the latest. The inventories must supply the following data:
·        
the
names and addresses of the holders;
·        
the
location and description of the equipment;
·        
the
quantity of PCBs contained in the equipment;
·        
the
date and type of treatment planned;
·        
the
date of the declaration.
Moreover, the Directive stipulates that
any equipment which is subject to inventory must be labelled. Member States
must prohibit the separation of PCBs from other substances for the purpose of
reusing the PCBs and the topping-up of transformers with PCBs.
Concerning the appropriate waste
management, Member States had to take the necessary measures to ensure that:
·        
PCBs,
used PCBs and equipment containing PCBs which is subject to inventory are
transferred to licensed undertakings, at the same time ensuring that all
necessary precautions are taken to avoid the risk of fire;
·        
any
incineration of PCBs or used PCBs on ships is prohibited;
·        
all
undertakings engaged in the decontamination and/or the disposal of PCBs, used
PCBs and/or equipment containing PCBs obtain permits;
·        
transformers
containing more than 0.05% by weight of PCBs are decontaminated under the
conditions specified by the Directive.
In accordance with the committee
procedure referred to in Directive 75/442/EEC[24], the
Commission:
·        
had
to fix the reference methods of measurement to determine the PCB content of
contaminated materials[25];
·        
could
fix technical standards for the other methods of disposing of PCBs;
·        
had
to make available a list of the production names of capacitors, resistors and
induction coils containing PCBs[26];
·        
had
to determine, if necessary, other less hazardous substitutes for PCBs.
Within three years following the
adoption of Directive 96/59/EC, Member States had to draw up plans for the
decontamination and/or disposal of inventoried equipment and the PCBs contained
therein and plans for the collection and subsequent disposal of equipment not
subject to inventory.
2.1.3. Other environmental legislation with POP
relevance
In addition to the chemical legislation,
environmental legislation especially those targeting water, waste and products
also cover POP-related issues. Table
3 summarizes the most relevant legislation with POP
relevance and indicates which POPs are regulated. The legislation is presented
in more details in Part II if further measures for the implementation may be
necessary. 
In comparison with the first
Implementation Plan, 3 new legislative acts have been adopted: Directive
2008/98/EC on Waste (Waste Framework Directive), Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 on
the EU Ecolabel and Directive 2006/11/EC on
pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic
environment. 
Table
3                    Further
environmental legislative instruments with relevance on the use and disposal of
POPs.

 Acronym || Legal reference || POPs regulated / POP reference || Areas of regulation 
 EU Ecolabel || Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 || Criteria of product categories laid down in Commission decisions may cover POPs e.g. in textile floor covering for trace contamination with POP pesticides[27] A product cannot obtain an ecolabel if it contains a PBT/vPvB substance. || Different product categories, see: [28] 
 RoHS Directive || Directive 2011/65/EU (recast of 2002/95/EC) || Ban of PBDE and other hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. || Production and import of electrical and electronic products 
 Waste Framework Directive || Directive 2008/98/EC || The classification of waste as hazardous waste should be based, inter alia, on the Union legislation on chemicals, in particular concerning the classification of preparations as hazardous, including concentration limit values used for that purpose.[29] || Waste 
 Waste Incineration Directive || Directive 2000/76/EC,repealed and replaced by IED 2010/75/EU from 7 January 2014 || Emission limit values for air, discharges of waste water for dioxins and furans . || Waste 
 Directive 76/464/EEC has been codified as 2006/11/EC || Directive 2006/11/EC || Pollution through the discharge of the various dangerous substances within List I into the aquatic environment must be eliminated. List I contains certain individual substances selected mainly on the basis of their toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation. || Pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment 
 Landfill Directive || Directive 1999/31/EC || Hazardous waste for landfills needs a prior treatment. || Waste 
 WEEE Directive || Directive 2002/96/EC, repealed with effect from 15 February 2014 by Directive 2012/19/EU || Provisions on waste containing hazardous substances, e.g. PCB (PCBs/PCTs containing capacitors), mandatory segregation of PCB-containing components. || Treatment of waste of electrical and electronic equipment 
 ELV Directive || Directive 2000/53/EC || Due to the segregation of hazardous components from the vehicle, the releases of unintentional POPs from shredder plants are decreased. || Collection, treatment, recycling and disposal of end-of-life vehicles. 
 Water Framework Directive || Directive 2000/60/EC || Persistent hydrocarbons and persistent and bioaccu­mulable organic toxic substances indicated as main pollutants under Annex VIII. Several POPs included in Annex X (list of Priority Substances (PS), for which Environmental Quality Standards are set and there is a monitoring and reporting obligation; most of the POPS in the PS list are also Priority Hazardous Substances, for which there is an objective to phase out discharges, emissions and losses.. || Protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater 
 Drinking Water Directive || Council Directive 98/83/EC || Standards for the most common substances (so-called parameters), among them polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and. pesticides (aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide). || Quality of water intended for human consumption 
 Marine Strategy Framework Directive || Directive 2008/56/EC || Synthetic compounds identified as priority substances under directive 2000/60/EC which are relevant for the marine environment. || Protection of marine waters under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of Member States 
 SEVESO I/II / III Directive || Directive 96/82/EC to be repealed with effect from 1 June 2015 and replaced by Seveso III Directive 2012/18/EU  (adopted on 4 July 2012 and entered into force on 13th August 2012) || Pollution from industrial accidents. || Prevention, Preparedness and Response to chemical accidents 
2.1.4. Legislation
covering unintentional POPs
An overview of
legislation covering the releases of unintentionally produced POPs is given in
Table 4. The most important is Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions
(IED)[30]
which will replace Directive 2008/1/EC concerning
integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC
Directive) and Directive 2000/76/EC on Waste Incineration from 7 January 2014
on. 
The IED was
adopted on 24 November 2010 and entered into force on 6 January 2011. It had to
be transposed into national legislation by Member States by 7 January 2013. 
The purpose of
the IPPC Directive/IED is to ensure a high level of protection of the
environment taken as a whole. Industrial installations operating activities
covered by Annex I of the Directives are required to obtain an environmental
permit from the authorities in the EU Member States. Emissions of all relevant
polluting substances (including POPs), which are likely to be emitted in
significant quantities, have to be regulated in the permit. The conditions set
out in this permit, in particular the emission limits, have to be based on the
applciation of the Best Available Techniques (BAT). The whole environmental
performance of the installation is taken into account, covering e.g. emissions
to air, water and land, generation of waste, use of raw materials, energy
efficiency, noise, prevention of accidents, and restoration of the site upon
closure. 
The definition
of BAT in the IPPC Directive/IED generally corresponds with the one of the
Stockholm Convention. In order to identify BAT, the Commission organised an
information exchange, where BAT is described and defined for the different
industrial sectors in so-called Best Available Techniques REFerence
Documents (BREFs). Where relevant, also for POPs, BAT Associated Emission
Levels (BAT-AELs) are developed. Under the IED, the BAT conclusions and the
BAT-AELs set out therein are to be used directly in setting permit condistions
and emission limit values for permits. 
Table 4                    Legislation
covering unintentional POPs
 Acronym || Legal reference || POPs regulated / POP reference 
 IPPC / IED || Directive 2008/1/EC (IPPC), merged in Directive 2010/75/EU (IED) || Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans among the main air pollutants to be considered in permitting and persistent hydrocarbons and persistent and bioaccumulable organic toxic substances among the main water pollutants. First series of Commission Implementing Decisions establishing BAT conclusions for the different industrial sectors have been adopted under IED (more to follow over the coming years). 
 Waste Incineration Directive || Directive 2000/76/EC, to  be repealed and replaced by IED from 7 January 2014 || Emission limit values for air, discharges of waste water for dioxins and furans.   
 Ambient air quality || Directive 2004/107/EC || Limit values for benzo[a]pyrene as a marker for PAH in ambient air. 
 Water Framework Directive || Directive 2000/60/EC || PAHs, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, pentachlorobenzene are  included in Annex X as PHS, i.e.Environmental Quality Standards are set and there is an objective to phase out discharges, emissions and losses. 
 POPs Regulation || Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 || measures to reduce unintentional releases of POPs. Set up of emission inventories for unintentionally produced POPs. 
2.1.5. Legislation on food and feed and on the
protection of public health 
Regulations (EC)
No 1881/2006 and 396/2005 and Directive 2002/32/EC set maximum residues levels
for POP substances in food and feed. Regulation (EC) No 1883/2006 sets minimum
requirements on methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of
levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in certain foodstuffs and Regulation
(EC) 152/2009 sets minimum requirements on methods of sampling and analysis for
the official control of levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in feed. (see Table 5) In
comparison with the situation when the first Implementation Plan was drafted,
there are substantial changes in the EU food and feed legislation: These
changes relate to the conversion of the maximum levels in feed and food for
dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, previously expressed in Toxic Equivalent Factors
(TEF) 1998, into maximum levels expressed in TEF 2005. Furthermore maximum
levels for non dioxin like PCBs (the so called indicator PCBs) have been
established in feed and food. Furthermore the analytical requirements, in
particular for the bio-analytical methodologies have been updated.  
Table
5                    Food
& Feed related
legislation with relevance to POPs
 Acronym || Legal reference || POPs regulated / POP reference 
 Maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs || Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 || - Dioxins (sum of polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs (indicator PCBs) - benzo(a)pyrene and the sum of of benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and chrysene as a marker of carcinogenic PAH in certain foodstuffs 
   || Regulation (EC) No 1883/2006[31] shall be repealed by Regulation (EU) No 252/2012[32] || Methods of sampling and analysis for the control of levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in food for regulatory purposes 
 Pesticide Residues in Food || Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 || Setting Maximum Residue Levels for POP Pesticides in food products 
 Undesirable substances in animal feed || Directive 2002/32/EC || Aldrin, Dieldrin, Camphechlor (toxaphene), Chlordane, DDT, Endosulfan, Endrin, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH, incl. Lindane), Dioxins (sum of polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).. 
   || Regulation (EC) 152/2009[33] || Methods of sampling and analysis for checking the  levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in feed for regulatory purposes 
2.1.6. Information exchange between Commission and Member States
on POPs in food and consumer products 
The information
exchange among the Member States authorities and the Commission on the presence
of POPs in food and consumer products is ensured by the rapid alert systems.
There are currently two EU rapid alert systems and both are publicly available.
The legal basis for their establishment provides Regulation EC/178/2002,
Directive 2001/95/EC and Regulation 765/2008. 
The Rapid Alert
System for Food and Feed (RASFF)[34]:
was put in place to provide food and feed control authorities with an effective
tool to exchange information about measures taken responding to serious risks
detected in relation to food or feed. This exchange of information helps Member
States to act more rapidly and in a coordinated manner in response to a health
threat caused by food or feed. Notifications cover e.g. the contamination of
food and feed with dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs or with polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons. 
The Rapid Alert
System for non-food dangerous Products (RAPEX)[35]: RAPEX
facilitates the rapid exchange of information between Member States and the Commission on measures taken to prevent or restrict the marketing or use of
products (non-feed/non-food) posing a serious risk to the health and safety of
consumers. Measures ordered by national authorities and measures taken
voluntarily by producers and distributors are reported by RAPEX.
2.1.7.  Emission monitoring
legislation
The European
Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Regulation[36]
aims to enhance public access to environmental information. The E-PRTR replaced
the European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER) in 2007 and includes additional
source categories (e.g. diffuse sources), additional pollutants and stricter
threshold levels for a number of pollutants (including POPs) (see also sections
3.3.1 on emission monitoring and 2.2.6 on monitoring efforts of the EU). 
2.1.1.          
Public
access to environmental information 
The Directive
2003/4/EC on public access to environmental information[37]
guarantees the right of access to environmental information held by or for
public authorities. This right is for any applicant (private individuals,
organisations etc.) and has to be granted without any justification. With
regards to emissions, no request can be refused. Thus, this directive is a
powerful instrument to gather emission data, also on POPs and can be used
supplementary to the above mentioned on E-PRTR.
2.2.                
Strategies,
policies and programmes
2.2.1.          
Sustainable
development 
In 2001, the European
Union adopted the EU Sustainable Development Strategy (EU SDS) to provide a
long-term vision combining economic dynamism, social cohesion and high
environmental standards.[38] In
2009, the European Commission communication COM (2009) 400 final[39]
reviewed the EU SDS to respond to the most recent economic and financial crisis
from the perspective of a long-term sustainable development with the goal to
further mainstream the EU SDS into the European policy fields. From the seven
key challenges proposed, two contain POPs related issues though they are not
explicitly mentioned, i.e. sustainable consumption and production as well as
Public health.
The review
reaffirms the position of the European Council about sustainable development as
a fundamental EU objective under the Treaty of Lisbon. This follow-up of the
Lisbon Strategy was adopted in June 2010 by the heads and governments of the
EU.
2.2.2.          
Environmental
Action Plan
The Union’s principal strategy for environmental policy is the Environmental Action Plan (EAP)
covering this UIP. The sixth Environment Action Plan (6th EAP), was
active during the 2002-2012 period, and sets out the framework for
environmental policy-making, promotes full integration of environmental
protection requirements in the Union for sustainable development, and
establishes strategic approaches to meet the environmental goals and
objectives. One of the 6th EAP priority areas is ‘Environment and
health’ which aimed to reduce the hazards of environmental pollutants such as
pesticides, endocrine disruptors, dioxins and PCBs in Europe and seeked for a
high level of quality of life and well-being for citizens, aspirating to reduce
harmful effects on human health and the environment. The priority areas can be
found at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/newprg/intro.htm.
Additionally,
some thematic strategies were introduced in 2005 to improve environmental
regulation and are of relevance to work on the elimination of POPs, like the
Sustainable Use of Pesticides, Air Pollution, Urban Environment and Sustainable
Use and Management of Resources. The thematic strategies of the 6th
EAP are published at:     http://ec.europa.eu/environment/newprg/strategies_en.htm. 

In June 2013, 
political agreement was reached on a new Environment Action Program (EAP). The
new or ‘7th EAP’ sets out the priority objectives for EU environment policy to
2020, set out in an ambitious longer-term vision for an inclusive, green and
competitive European economy that safeguards the environment. The agreement
will guide and drive actions in advancing resource efficiency, the green
economy and the environmental agenda generally in the period to 2020 and beyond.

The 7th
Environment Action Program: ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet’,
builds on the achievements of previous programs which have been a key vehicle
for advancing environmental improvements in the European Union. Agreement was
reached with the European Parliament on a program to transition Europe towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon and environmentally-friendly economy in
which natural capital is protected and enhanced, and citizens’ health and
well-being are safeguarded.
The Program sets
out a framework to support the achievement of nine priority objectives**
through development and better implementation of EU environment law, state of
the art science, securing the necessary investments in support of environment
and climate change policy, and improving the way that environmental concerns
and requirements are reflected in other policies. The Program aims to boost
efforts to help EU cities become more sustainable, and improve the EU's
capacity to meet regional and global environment and climate challenges.
The Program
gives citizens, businesses and policymakers the long-term view needed to make
the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon society in Europe.
The main
highlights of the 7th EAP are: 
•         The
limitation of land filling to non-recyclable and non-recoverable waste by 2020,
an important step towards a more fully-fledged resource management approach to
waste.
•         On
climate and energy policy, recognition of the need for a legally binding
framework beyond 2020 to enable Member States and industry to make the
necessary investments in emissions reduction, energy efficiency and renewable
energy, taking into account the indicative milestones set out in the Low Carbon
Economy Roadmap to 2050.
•         Need
to address EU soil quality issues including consideration of a binding legal
framework.
•        
Agreement on the establishment of a more coherent policy and legislative
framework for sustainable consumption and production.
•        
Agreement on the need to establish an EU-wide quantitative reduction headline
target for marine litter.
•        
Agreement that the combination effects of chemicals and safety concerns related
to endocrine disruptors and nano-materials must be effectively addressed across
all relevant EU legislation.
•        
Agreement on the need to further develop inspection support capacity at EU
level, in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of inspections.
This will also contribute to a more level playing field within the EU.     
•         Agreement
on the need to phase-out environmentally harmful subsidies at Member State and EU level.
•         The
integration of environmental considerations including water protection and
biodiversity conservation into land use planning decisions, with a view to
making progress towards the objective of no net land take by 2050.
2.2.3.          
Strategies
for control of pesticides and chemical substances
In July 2006,
the Commission adopted a Communication on Sustainable Use of Pesticides (COM
(2006) 372 final)[40] to
prevent any undesirable effects and risks to humans and the environment by
minimising exposure as much as possible and by encouraging the research and
development of less polluting alternatives. One of the measures to be
integrated through the application of already existing instruments is to
provide financial and technical assistance (capacity building) in numerous
programmes such as the Strategic Approach of International Chemicals Management
(SAICM).
The Union
Strategy for Dioxins, Furans and Polychlorinated Biphenyls adopted in 2001 (COM
(2001) 593)[41] has the goal
to assess the current state of the environment and the ecosystem and to reduce
exposure from dioxins and PCBs to humans and the environment. In July 2007, the
Communication of the Commission COM (2007) 396 final[42]
provided the second progress report on the main achievements with regard to the
implementation of the strategy during the period between 2004 and 2006,
elucidating the several environmental measures on POPs which have been adopted
in 2004 and the new maximum levels for contaminants in food and feed which have
been updated in 2006. 
Lately, in
October 2010, the Commission adopted the third progress report on the Dioxin
strategy for the period 2007 to 2009 (COM (2010) 562 final)[43].
The report concluded that the overall objective of the Strategy,
i.e. to develop an integrated approach in order to reduce the presence of
dioxins, furans and PCBs in the environment as well as in feed and food, has
been achieved to a large extent, bearing in mind the reduction of industrial
emissions of these pollutants by about 80% over the past two decades. The
report further concluded that additional sources should be targeted by national
or local measures. Further progress is expected within the framework of the European
Union Implementation Plan on Persistent Organic Pollutants and
the relevant National Action Plans (NAPs) elaborated by Member States. 
2.2.4.          
Environment
and Health Action Plan
The Environment
and Health Action Plan (EHAP) was launched in June 2004 to coordinate health,
environment and research areas and to develop a system for integrated
information on environment and health and to assess the environmental impact on
human health more efficiently. In June 2007, a mid-term report was published in
a communication of the Commission (COM (2007) 314 final[44]).
It highlighted the growing links between environment policy and health policy.
It showed, for example, that an important development in relation to the
Strategy on Dioxins and PCBs was the adoption of the Regulation (EC) No.
850/2004 on POPs. The progress report on the implementation of the EHAP of
March 2010 (SEC (2010) 387)[45]
presented the progress of activities after the mid-term review, assessed the
results achieved since 2004 and suggested the follow-up for the Action Plan
post 2010. 
2.2.5.          
Multilateral
Environmental Agreements (MEAs)
Many
environmental problems transcend national boundaries and can only be
efficiently handled through international co-operation. Consequently, the 6th
EAP[46]
acknowledged the international dimension to achieve the objectives in the four
priority areas (nature and biodiversity, environment and health, natural
resources and waste, climate change), and the 7th EAP[47]
continues to acknowledge the international dimension of environmental problems.
At present, there are more than 500 international treaties and other
environment-related agreements, 70 per cent of which are regional in scope. In
addition, there are currently 45 MEAs with global geographical scope consisting
of at least 72 signatory countries[48].
The European Union is a contracting party in more than 40 international
environmental agreements[49],
among them the Stockholm Convention, the Basel Convention as well as the
Rotterdam Convention.
2.2.6.          
Monitoring
efforts of the EU
Monitoring
efforts in the EU covers monitoring of emission loads into the environment and
monitoring of environmental concentrations.
The European
Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) is a scientifically based and
policies driven programme for international cooperation under the Convention on
Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). The EMEP provides scientific
information about emission inventories and emission projections, atmospheric
monitoring and modelling as well as an integrated assessment to help solve
transboundary air pollution problems. This set of information is an important
basis for developing further emission control strategies and implementing the
Convention and its Protocols.
Several measures
relating to the monitoring of POPs’ emissions have been taken by the Member
States in order to identify and characterize sources and releases of these
substances. Many of these measures are included in the NIPs and have benefited
from the many national policy frameworks. Besides the national emission inventories
for the release of unintentionally produced POPs into the air, water and soil,
the EMEP emission inventory and the E-PRTR data base are further available
inventories of releases.
As regards the
monitoring of environmental concentrations, there are several regional
monitoring programmes established as part of regional conventions or
initiatives that covers part of the EU and includes some of the POPs. The
Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) analyses fluxes, pathways and
environmental levels of POPs and presents an assessment of the Arctic
environment contamination[50].
Other examples are the Trilateral Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the
Waddensea (TMAP), the Monitoring Network in the Alpine Region for Persistent
and other Organic Pollutants (MONARPOP) as well as sea conventions (such as
e.g. HELCOM and OSPAR).
The mission of
the European Environment Agency (EEA) is to provide sound and independent
information on the environment, with the goal to ensure that decision-makers
and the general public are kept informed about European environmental data,
knowledge and assessments. The Agency collects the data on POP emissions and
some data on POP concentrations in the environment and analyses their trends[51],[52].
Some of the Agency’s data on POPs originate from the monitoring of Priority
Substances in water bodies conducted by Member States under the Water Framework
Directive. In addition, Member States have contributed data on some substances
to a working database specifically developed for the Commission's 2011 review
of the Priority Substances list.
2.3.                
Financial
instruments
Using different
funding instruments, the European Union provides a significant amount of
funding to environmental projects and programmes, both within the EU as well as
in neighbouring countries and in developing countries. There are several
financial instruments and programmes that can be relevant also for POP related
projects. 
2.3.1.          
Funding
instruments for the EU
The LIFE
programme is the financial instrument for supporting environmental and nature
conservation projects and promoting policy priorities in the EU as well as in
some candidate, acceding and neighbouring countries. The European Commission
proposed replacing most existing environmental funding, including the former
LIFE+ categories, with a single fund focused on supporting development,
implementation, monitoring, evaluation and communication of Union environmental
policy and legislation. This new phase is called LIFE+ and entered into force
the 9th of June 2007[53].
It ran for the period 2007-2013 with a budget of €2.143 billion, while funding
was provided via three key areas: LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity, LIFE+
Environmental Policy & Governance, and LIFE+ Information &
Communication, where at least 78 percent of the budgetary resources was used
for action grants to projects. 
LIFE+ projects
promoted synergies between different priorities under the 6th
Environmental Action Plan. Two projects in relation with POPs were funded by
the LIFE+ programme: one to evaluate the extent of exposure of the general
population, especially women of reproductive age[54],
and the second to evaluate emission exposure of PAHs in the population[55].
The LIFE+ programme was designed to complement other funding programmes for the
environment which are described as follows.  
There are
numerous other funds of the EU with different target groups that do not
specifically refer to POPs, but which support the implementation of the EU
environmental legislation or the supply of technical solutions (the
Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme[56],
for example, supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) innovation
activities (including eco-innovation), while the NGO operating grants[57]
inter alia promote the active participation of NGOs in the development and
implementation of environmental policy). 
On the 20th
of December 2013 the LIFE 2014-2020 Regulation (EC) No 1293/2013 was published
in the Official Journal L 347/185. The Regulation establishes the Environment
and Climate Action sub-programmes of the LIFE Programme for the next funding
period, 2014–2020. The budget for the period is set at €3.4 billion in current
prices.
On the 19th
of March 2014, the LIFE multiannual work programme for 2014-2017 was adopted by
a Commission Decision, after having received a positive opinion of the
Committee for the LIFE Programme for the Environment and Climate Action on 17
February 2014. The work programme applies from the date of its adoption and
enters into force as of its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Union. 
The LIFE
multiannual work programme for 2014-2017 sets the framework for the next four
years for the management of the new LIFE Programme 2014-2020. It contains an
indicative budget, explains the selection methodology for projects and for operating
grants and establishes outcome indicators for the two LIFE sub-programmes – for
Environment and for Climate Action. The total budget for funding projects
during the period covered amounts to €1.1 billion under the sub-programme for
Environment and €0.36 billion under the sub-programme for Climate Action.
2.3.2.          
Funding
for neighbouring and partner countries
The European
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) is designed to target
sustainable development and approximation to EU policies and standards – which
includes the implementation of the POP regulation as well – in neighbouring
third Countries as well as through a strategic partnership with the Russian
Federation.[58]
This programme replaces the former programmes MEDA, TACIS and EIDHR
mentioned in the first Implementation Plan. For the period 2007-2013, nearly
€12 billion in EU funding are available to support these partners’ reforms. The
ENPI has 15 cross-border cooperation (CBC) programmes which receive a funding
of €1.18 billion for the same period. The Instrument for Pre-Accession
Assistance (IPA)[59]
which replaces several programmes (e.g. the PHARE programme) and financial
instruments for candidate countries (Croatia, Iceland, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) or potential candidates (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo) also provides nearly €12 billion. Most
African, Caribbean and Pacific States benefit from development support under
the Cotonou Convention finaced through the European Development Fund (€23
billion for the period 2007 – 2013) while South Africa and other developing
countries, notably in Asia and Latin America benefit from the Development
Cooperation Instrument (over €17 billion for 2007 – 2013).
Within the DCI
is a substantial specific programme for environmental support, open to all partners
except actual and potential candidates, the “Thematic programme on environment
and sustainable management of natural resources, including energy” (Thematic
Programme for Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
(ENRTP), worth about €1.1 billion for the period 2007-2013)[60].
This programme has provided support to the work of Secretariat of the Stockholm
Convention and has also funded projects on the ground.[61]
2.3.3.          
Multilateral
programmes funded by the EU 
The promotion of
measures to address worldwide environmental problems is a key objective of the
EU policy. The Commission thus provides funding to international and
multilateral programmes: 
he European
Commission has its own specific programme for environment and climate change,
the ENRTP which has been used to support multilateral programmes. Some examples
funded within the ENRTP: 
·        
The
further elaboration of the dioxin and furan toolkit: €100,000 in 2007, to
better adapt the toolkit guidance to the needs of developing countries by
including the type of industrial installations and levels of pollution found in
those countries. 
·        
The
evaluation of the Convention’s effectiveness: €400,000 has been allocated in
2009 for completing data on the levels of POPs in the air, and in breast milk
for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to establish an adequate baseline
for further evaluations. 
·        
Support
to the Secretariat of Stockholm convention of €480.000 in 2010 to support
Parties to implement their obligations under the Stockholm Convention, i.e.
developing countries in the following regions: Africa, Asia, Latin America and
the Caribbean, and Middle East and countries with economies in transition in
CEE. 
·        
Support
to the Secretariat of Stockholm convention of €1.450.000 in 2011 to support
their 2012-2013 programme of work, including  the technical assistance
programme, the global monitoring plan for effectiveness evaluation, the
programme on unintentionally produced POPs, the programme on endosulfan, the
programme on new POPS and candidate POPs and support for participation of
developing countries at COP-6. 
·        
Further
ENRTP support includes €4.5 million to FAO for the cleaning up of obsolete
pesticides in the Africa Stockpiles Programme;  
The European
Commission has also provided is providing substantial financial support to the Strategic
Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM)[62],
promoting sound chemicals management worldwide through both the ENRTP and the
European Development Fund (EDF).
2.4.                
Research
and Development and the Framework Programmes
Research and
development is essential for the support of policies such as, inter alia,
consumer protection or the protection of the environment. The Research
Framework Programme (FP) is the main instrument for funding research and
development in Europe. 
The Sixth
Research Framework Programme (FP6) ran between 2003 and 2007 with a budget of
€17.5 billion. Within FP6, 37 projects out of the 66 projects funded[63]
addressed some aspects of chemical safety. However, a smaller number of
projects focused on exposure to and potential health impacts of POPs. Error!
Reference source not found. shows the research projects within the
FP6; besides nine large-scale projects in FP6[64], the table
focuses on projects with starting dates in 2007 and later.[65] 

The Seventh
Framework Programme (FP7) which has been recently replaced by Horizon 2020, ran
for the period 2007-2013 with a total budget of over € 50.5 billion from
which € 1.89 billion was attributedto the relevant thematic areas of
‘Environment (including Climate Change)’, €1.94 billion to ‘Food, Agriculture
and Fisheries, and Biotechnology’ and € 6.1 billion to ‘Health’. These
thematic areas particularly supported research on projects related to POPs (see
Table
8).
The programmes ‘Ideas’ (€7.5 billion over 7 years) and ‘People’ (€4.7 billion
over 7 years) of the FP7 also funded some projects with reference to POPs. The
thematic areas and programmes are indicated in Table
8
(second column). The primary aim of funding the 'Food, Agriculture and
Fisheries, and Biotechnology' research theme under the FP7 was to build a
European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy, KBBE being the abbreviation for this
thematic area.
Thirtyseven
projects with POP relevance have been funded under the FP7 receiving around €143
million from the EU. Projects with POP reference have especially been
funded within the framework of the thematic area ‘Environment’ – 22
projects– as
it included the environment and health sub-activity. This sub-activity funded
research to support EU policy initiatives such as the European Environment and
Health Action Plan 2004-2010, the Community Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters,
and the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The
projects funded deal with, inter alia, harmonising human (bio)monitoring, in Europe, and improving the understanding of environmental and human exposure to
chemicals such as PCBs and perfluorinated compounds[66] and
their potential health effects. 
Within the
thematic strategy ‘Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology’ /
‘Knowledge Based Bio-Economy’, nine large POP-projects were funded, focussing
on food safety aspects such as sampling strategies and detection methods for
specific foods and on quality and safety assurance of feed. Furthermore under
this thematic area, projects are funded seeking alternative solutions to
chemical pesticides. 
In 2007, the
Commission also saw the need to examine development of affordable alternatives
to DDT to control malaria, e.g. by exploiting available biological knowledge on
the mosquito vector. On the topic of “affordable alternatives for DDT”, no
research project was granted within FP7. As for identification of substances
that can be used as alternatives to POP, there is one research project on
substitution options for specific brominated flame retardant. 
2.4.1.          
European
Research Institutions including the JRC
The Joint
Research Centre (JRC) has been established as part of the European Commission
in 1958. As the Commission's in-house science service, the Joint Research
Centre's mission is to provide EU policies with independent, evidence-based
scientific and technical support throughout the whole policy cycle. Working in
close cooperation with policy Directorates-General, the JRC  addresses key
societal challenges while stimulating innovation through developing new
methods, tools and standards, and sharing its know-how with the Member States,
the scientific community and international partners. The JRC holds an
annual budget of around €330 million for direct support to EU institutions
within the FP7 which is distributed in seven institutes. Some of these have
relevant projects with POPs. The Institute for Reference Materials and
Measurements (IRMM), for example, develops and provides testing methods and
reference material also for POP substances. The Institute for Environment and
Sustainability (IES) performs monitoring of POPs, supports the development and
standardization of analytical protocols in the frame of the European Committee
for Standardization and within the Water Framework Directive and supports the
implementation of the Stockholm Convention at the EU level. The Institute for
Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) provides, for example, a decision-support
instrument to assess chemical substances called the European Union System for
the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES), manages the European centralised Database
of EXport and IMport of certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides (EDEXIM) and
offers training in handling the export-import notifications of pesticides and
POPs. Within the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), , the Best
Available Techniques Reference Documents (BREFs) are elaborated
based on the IPPC Directive / IED. Currently, there are 33 BREFs available[67]
and their revision has been started. Under the IED, the BAT conclusions of the
BREF will be adopted as Commission Implementing Decisions[68].
Several of the BREFs also contain information on POPs and related BAT as well
as the corresponding emission levels associated with the application of BAT
(BAT-AELs).
Moreover, the
JRC (Institute for Environment and Sustainability, IES) performs multimedia
monitoring of POPs at EU and global level, based on the monitoring requirements
in the Stockholm Convention. In addition, it provides guidance and experimental
support to the "Toolkit Expert Group" in terms of the estimation of
worldwide unintentional releases of POPs. Furthermore, the DG JRC is involved
in several research activities that include monitoring programmes and case
studies for inland and marine waters, ambient air, soil including contaminated
sites, sediments, sewage sludge, compost, food and biota, as well as
multi-media modelling of POPs.[69]. 
2.4.2.          
Supporting
co-operation, co-ordination and networking 
Modern research
in a global environment necessitates co-operation at different levels. The
fragmentation of Europe's efforts cannot be overcome without determined actions
at European level. Taking up this challenge, the European Commission, Member States and the European Parliament, the scientific community and industry are
committed to work jointly towards the creation of a "European Research
Area" (ERA). The European Commission published a Green Paper on ERA in
April 2007. In 2008, the Member States and the Commission launched a new
political partnership, called the "Ljubljana Process", which aims to
overcome fragmen­tation and to build a strong ERA. Besides, they adopted a
shared ERA 2020 vision. Concrete progress was being made via a series of new
partnership initiatives proposed by the Commission in 2008. 
As called by the
Council, the building of the ERA will have to be completed by 2014 and in this
respect all conditions have to be put in place to make the ERA fully functioning,
since the realisation of the ERA in the context of the Innovation Union is a
necessary component of the Europe 2020 strategy to create growth and jobs. This
is clearly indicated by the ERA Communication 2012/392 and in particular in its
second priority ‘optimal transnational co-operation and competition
2.4.3.          
Future
research and innovation
Future research
needs have been addressed by a workshop specifically dedicated to this topic,
as 2011 marks the ten year anniversary of the Stockholm Convention[70].
The workshop was organised by the Research Centre for Toxic
Compounds in the Environment and held in Brno from 22.-24.5.2011. The
outcomes of the workshop listing identified knowledge gaps and research needs
can be found at the institute website[71]. 

The ongoing
discussion on the fate of newly listed POPs present in articles of everyday use
and on the associated challenges with recycling and disposal of such articles
will certainly result in identification of additional research needs. 
Horizon 2020 and
in particular Societal Challenge 1 “Health, Demographic Change and Wellbeing”,
Societal Challenge 2 “Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry,
Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy” and Societal
Challenge 5 “Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw
Materials” provide new opportunities for Research and Innovation to develop new
solutions to prevent and detect POPs contamination and toxicity to the
environment and human health, including marine wastes, pesticides in
agriculture and food products.
2.5.                
Information
Exchange, Public information, awareness and education
The EU
institutions are committed to ensuring transparency and the involvement of
stakeholders and the general public. This is stipulated in the Regulation
1049/2001 on public access to EU documents and transparency in the
decision-making processes and in the communication from the Commission 2002/704
towards a reinforced culture of consultation and dialogue. The public access to
environmental information is specifically laid down in Directive 2003/4/EC. 
The main
instruments for transparency and information access are the Europa
website and a specific website dedicated to POPs[72].
In addition the European Commission hosts databases such as Eur-Lex, statistic
databases of Eurostat, the E-PRTR[73],
the EU pesticide database[74],
and databases of EU institutions on specific topics such as the European
Chemical Substances Information System[75]. The
Directorate General for Environment maintains the POP-specific website containing
information on Union legislation and POP-related research projects. Moreover,
the European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes a substantial amount of
information relevant to POPs[76].
In addition the
general public or any interested stakeholder can have access to information on
SVHC substances[77]
in articles in the context of the REACH Regulation. A request can be sent to
the supplier of an article who has to provide a reply within 45 days[78].
Consultations
with stakeholders are an integral part of the Union’s environment policy and
provide the opportunity for authorities, civil society and individual citizens
to provide input. Accordingly, the draft Implementation Plans are also subject
to an open consultation process. 
In keeping with
the EU’s principle of subsidiarity, public information, awareness raising and
education on POPs fall within the remit of the Member States, while the POP
regulation urges the Member States to provide awareness programmes and public
information. A summary of the activities at Member State level can be found in
the second synthesis report.[79]

The Commission
and Member States exchange information at regular Competent Authority meetings
where national representatives for POP issues meet. Core topics are: data
gathering via reporting obligations under the POP Regulation as well as further
improvement in the context of reporting formats. 
3.                      
Overall Assessment of the POPs issue in the EU
At European
Union level, significant progress towards the elimination of POPs has been
achieved. Production and use of all POP substances is prohibited with some
minor exemptions that are decreasing. A main challenge for the EU is to
eliminate POPs from the waste cycle and remaining stockpiles as these still
present a major emission source.
The following
sections briefly introduce the situation in the EU for the different POP
substances.
3.1.                
POPs
regulated before 2009 (“old POPs”)
The term “old
POPs” covers the substances listed in the Stockholm Convention or the POP
Protocol and regulated by the POP Regulation at EU level before 2008, i.e.
before the new POP substances were listed in the Stockholm Convention or the
POP Protocol in 2009 and 2011 (cf. section 3.2). The data on old POPs presented
in the following sections are based on the second synthesis report[80]
covering 2007-2009 annual reports and the 2007-2009 triennial reports of the
Members States.
3.1.1.          
Production
The old POPs are
no longer produced in the EU. 
The specific
exemption of the use of DDT in dicofol production has been withdrawn from the
POP Regulation. The Commission decided on the non-inclusion of dicofol in Annex
I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC and on the withdrawal of authorisations for
plant protection products containing that substance (2008/764/EC)[81]
in 2008. According to the Commission Decision, all existing authorizations for
dicofol in plant protection products had to be withdrawn before 30 March 2009.
National registration of dicofol was no longer possible after March 2009. Any
transition period granted by the Member States expired by 30 March 2010. Up to
the year 2008, dicofol has been produced by Montecinca SA. at Monzón, Spain. The yearly production amounted to approx. 1500 tonnes. Production was discontinued in 2009,
when the registration for Spain expired. Until 2009, dicofol[82]
was furthermore formulated and used in Italy[83].

3.1.2.          
Use
and placing on the market
The use of the
old POPs listed in Annexes A and B has been progressively phased-out in the EU.
The specific exemption for use of lindane as public health and veterinary
topical insecticide has expired in the EU by 31.12.2007. Remaining uses of old
POPs are only in articles that were produced and placed on the market before
the entry into force of the POP Regulation and as standards for research
purposes. Both remaining uses are covered by general exemptions granted in the
Stockholm Convention and the POP Regulation. Some illegal placing on the market
of medicinal products containing lindane and fireworks containing
hexachlorobenzene has been reported by some Member States in the period
2008-2010. The enforcing authorities of the Member States have intervened to
stop these illegal practices and ensured a proper disposal of the products. 
3.1.3.          
Import
and export 
Waste containing
POPs (e.g. obsolete pesticides or contaminated equipments) is being imported
into some EU Member States for the purpose of its disposal and elimination.
These imports originate from EU and non-EU countries that lack adequate
technology for proper disposal of such waste. These imports are being
undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Stockholm Convention and
they contribute to the overall reduction of POPs in the EU and globally. 
Some illegal
imports of POPs embedded in products have occurred in the period 2007-2009.
Lindane has been imported as part of the pharmaceutical product and
hexachlorobenzene was imported as part of fireworks. As mentioned in the
sub-section 3.1.2, the enforcing authorities took appropriate measures to
prevent placing on the market of those products and ordered their elimination. 
There is very
little export of POPs outside the EU. In the period 2007-2009, few kilograms of
lindane have been exported from one Member State out of the EU under the
exemption for standards for research purposes. 
3.1.4.          
Stockpiles
and waste
In a few Member
States there are still stockpiles of obsolete pesticides which contain POP
substances (or are most likely to) and for which production, use and placing on
the market are now strictly forbidden under the POP Regulation. This stockpiles
amount to less than 50.000 tonnes, estimated to contain between 2.000 and 9.000
tonnes of POPs. Some stockpiles exist where the POP substances are embedded in
formulations (this was reported for lindane and Heptachlor). Reported
stockpiles are subject to corresponding management measures.
PCB disposal by
end of 2010 
The Convention’s
objective is to eliminate the use of PCBs in equipment by 2025 and to make
determined efforts to achieve environmentally sound waste management of liquids
and equipment with PCBs by 2028.
The EU has already
transposed this requirement into Directive 96/59/EC on the disposal of PCBs and
PCTs (PCB Directive) (cf. section 0). It requires the Member States to compile
inventories of large PCB equipment (equipment containing more than 5 dm³ PCB)
and to send them to the Commission by September 1999. Moreover, the equipment
and PCBs contained in the inventories had to be decontaminated or disposed of
by 31.12.2010 at the latest.
In compliance
with the PCB Directive, inventories of PCB containing equipment, as well as
action plans for their disposal and collection were compiled by all Member
States. 
In December
2011, the Commission launched a survey, sending questionnaires to the competent
authorities of the Member States requesting information about PCB wastes.  The
survey has showed that the progress made in the EU towards the safe disposal of
large PCB equipment, resulting in the elimination and decontamination of the
wide majority of large PCB equipment that existed in the EU. However, despite
the efforts undertaken,significant quantities of PCB equipment are still in
use, andonly  few Member States have achieved to decontaminate or to dispose of
the entirety of the large PCB equipment.
The survey has
showed the lack of reliable and comparable data in the EU: reporting has been
in some cases incomplete and in some cases, the number of pieces of equipment
instead of the PCB content (expressed in kg or tonnes) were reported. Some
Member States did not distinguish between equipment containing more than 500
ppm PCB and equipment containing more than 50 ppm PCB, as is done in the
Directive. In view of these inconsistencies, it is not possible to establish
the precise remaining amount of the remaining amounts of PCB equipment and PCB
waste.
In the survey,
MS were also invited to explain the problems they have encountered when
decontaminating and disposing of PCB waste. Several MS have discovered that
some owners did not notify the existence of PCBs, which has led to unexpected
quantities of PCB wastes to be managed by the MS. In addition, legal
uncertainty (some owners of PCB wastes were involved in bankruptcy processes)
and economic problems, as well as the lack of appropriate treatment facilities
in some countries, have been cited as obstacles to a timely decontamination and
disposal of the large PCB equipment.
In those cases
where the deadline for the disposal and decontamination of large PCB equipment
has not been met and in those cases where MS did not provide any information,
the Commission is taking legal steps.
3.2.                
POPs
regulated from 2009 (“new POPs”)
The new POPs are
the substances that were listed in the Stockholm Convention at the 4th,  
5th and 6th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the
Stockholm Convention held in May 2009[84]
,in April 2011 and in May 2013, respectively, and in the POP Protocol at the 27th
meeting of the Executive Body of LRTAP Convention held in December 2009[85]
and that were not listed in any of these instruments before. Thus, the new POPs
are tetra-, penta-, hexa-, and hepta-BDE (Polybromi­nated diphenylethers;
PBDEs), Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), PFOS (including salts) and PFOSF,
endosulfan, short-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), hexachloro­butadiene
(HCBD) HBCDD and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs). With the exeption of
HBCDD, these substances have been included in the POP Regulation. 
Prior to their
listing the new POPs were subject to prohibition or severe restrictions in the
EU. With the new amendments of the POP Regulation, certain restrictions go
further than previously was the case in order to comply with the new
international commitments.
In this context
it needs to be highlighted that PBDEs and PFOS in contrast to the other new
POPs will continue to challenge the management of certain waste streams due to
the long life-span of the major product groups containing them (e.g. vehicles,
electronics), and due to the fact that they are contained in products that are
being (ESWI 2011[86]).

The following
table gives a first overview on the situation concerning the new POPs. Please,
note that the figures from ESWI are estimates. Further information on the
individual substances is given in the sections below.
Table 6                    Overview
on the new POPs (ESWI 2011)
 Substance || Purpose || Production || Use /Stockpiles in Products || Import || Export || Waste || Emissions 
 Endosulfan || Pesticide || Historic pro­duction in Europe amounted to 10.000 to 50.000 tonnes per year Production stopped latest in 2007 || No current use is reported. || Banned[87] || Banned || No information available. || No information available. 
 Tetrabromo­diphenyl ether and penta­bromodiphenyl ether || Industrial Chemical || Production in the EU ceased in 1997 || Historical use in applications with a high lifetime, such as automotive and upholstery application that are still in use. Estimated amount of C-PentaBDE in automotive applications in 2010: 258,3 t Accumulated amount of C-PentaBDE in upholstery applications: 321 t. Estimated amount of C-PentaBDE in upholstery applications in 2010: 96.95 t || No amount of C-PentaBDE in  imported finished articles || Estimated C-PentaBDE exported in ELVs in 2010: 4,1 t || C-PentaBDE in auto­motive waste: ~243.3 t in 2010 C-Penta­BDE in upholstery applications: 91.3 t in 2010 || C-PentaBDE in auto­motive emissions: ~15 t in 2010 C-PentaBDE in upholstery emissions: ~6t in 2010 
 Hexabromo­diphenyl ether and hepta­bromodiphenyl ether || Industrial Chemical || Production within the EU stopped in 1996/98 || Historical use in Acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene (ABS) polymers (95%) Estimated amount of C-OcteBDE in EEE applications in 2010: 258,3 t || No amount of HexaBDE in  imported finished articles || (Illegal) E-waste possibly contaminated with C-Octa­BDE; amount of C-OctaBDE not quantifiable || 128 t of C-OctaBDE in 2010 || c-OctaBDE emissions : ~3t in 2010 
 Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and per­fluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride || Industrial Chemical || Within the EU exemptions for specific uses || Estimated current uses: the metal plating industry (6,500 kg/y), hydraulic fluids (730 kg/y), photographic industry (562 kg/y used +~1,280 kg from historical storage), semiconductor industry (9.3 kg/y), fire fighting foams (90t in stocks) Total sources 163 t/y and 1,730 t in product[88] (mainly from carpets ) || No informa­tion available, except for the photo industry: finished articles containing PFOS account for 150 kg/y || No information available, except for the photo industry: finished articles containing PFOS account for 250 kg/y  || 163t PFOS in 2010 || PFOS emissions: >1t in 2010 
 Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) || Industrial Chemical Intermediate in Pesticide production By -product || No intentional production or use || Sources in Europe accounts for about 2,632 kg/y (dominated by the power production from coal) || No information available[89]. In the POPRC risk profile for PeCB[90] no trade or stockpiles have been reported.. || 307,8kg PeCB in 2010 || PeCB emissions: ~2.324t in 2010 
 SCCPs – short chain chlorinated paraffins || Industrial Chemical || Use and placing on the market for some applica­tions restricted since 2002 || Total sources ~ 2.151t and in used products 22.132 t in 2010 || No information available. || No information available. || 2.082t SCCPs in 2010 || SCCPs emissions: ~69t in 2010 
 HCBD – hexachloro­butadien || Industrial Chemical By -product || No use and production within EU; unintentional production as by-product || Total sources 506 kg in 2010 Estimated amount of HCBD from the chlorine industry in 2010: ~500 kg Accumulated amount of HCBD from sewage sludge: ~6 kg || No information available. || No information available. || 500kg HCBD in 2010 || HCBD emission from the plastic industry to waste water in 2008: 24 kg Besides, no further information available  
 PCN - polychlorinated naphthalenes || Industrial Chemical By -product || No use and production within EU; unintentional production as by-product || Historical use mainly in the electrical industry || No information available. || No information available. || 3.240,74 kg PCN in 2010 || PCN emissions: ~12kg in 2010 
3.2.1.          
Endosulfan
Endosulfan is an
insecticide that has been used since the 1950s to control crop pests, tsetse
flies and ecto parasites of cattle and as a wood preservative. Its production
in the EU stopped in 2006/2007. Export, however, has been allowed to continue
until banned by Regulation (EU) 649/2012/2008.
Germany was
the second-largest endosulfan producer after India (approximately 4.000 tonnes
per year) while historic production in Europe amounted to 10.000 to 50.000
tonnes per year[91].
In the EU, the
use of endosulfan in plant protection products was not authorised as endosulfan
was not approved under Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 concerning the placing of
plant protection products on the market, which replaces Council Directive
91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991. However, by way of derogation from the provisions
of this Regulation under special circumstances a Member State might authorise
for a period not exceeding 120 days the placing of plant protection products
containing endosulfan on the market for a limited and controlled use. Some
Member States have made use of this for e.g. the use as an insecticide for
hazelnut (harmful organism – Curculio nucum), the use as rodenticide for
rape, orchards, stalky cereals crops (harmful organisms – Microtus arvalis)
or the use in plant protection products and in antifouling products.
As a consequence
of listing of Endosulfan in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention, its
production, placing on the market and use has been banned by adding it to the
appropriate Annex of the POP Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 850/2004).
Further
information such as relating to endosulfan stockpiles in the EU Member States
is not available.
3.2.2.          
Tetrabromodiphenyl
ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether 
Tetrabromodiphenyl
ether (TetraBDE) and pentabromodiphenyl ether (PentaBDE) are the main
components of commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether (C-PentaBDE) that is an
additive flame retardant. 
The use and
placing on the market of C-PentaBDE has been banned in the EU already since
2004 by the Directive 2003/11/EC[92].
Since June 2009, these restrictions for C-PentaBDE were taken up in REACH Annex
XVII on restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of
certain dangerous substances, preparations and articles by the Regulation
552/2009[93].
The RoHS Directive 2011/65/EC[94]
inter alia restricts the use of Polybrominated Diphenylethers (PBDEs) in
electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The maximum concentration values in
new EEE is 0.1 % by weight (1,000 ppm) in homogeneous material and applies to
the sum of PBDE congeners. Tetra- and Penta-BDEs, the main components of
C-PentaBDE, are now regulated by the POP Regulation which bans their
production, placing on the market and use. Derogation is granted for
production, placing on the market and use of electrical and electronic
equipment within the scope of RoHS Directive, i.e. the EEE must comply with the
maximum concentration values. Further, relevant legal documents on EU-level
addressing PBDE is the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC[95]
and the PRTR Regulation (EC) No 2006/166[96]. 
Since 1997,
TetraBDE and PentaBDE have no longer been produced in the EU (ESWI 2011). These
substances were mainly used in applications with a high lifetime, such as in
automotive and upholstery applications that are still in use (see footnote 97).
The most common
use of C-PentaBDE in Europe was in flexible polyurethane foam (95%) that was
mainly used for upholstery and automotive applications, thus applications with
a high lifetime. For these two sectors the overall discharge of C-PentaBDE in Europe is estimated by ESWI 2011 at 355 t/y with an overall distribution of the discharge
of ~6 % (21 t/y) as emissions and ~94 % (334 t/y) for waste. 
The contribution
to the waste is ~105 t/y for TetraBDE and ~200 t/y for PentaBDE.
As for
automotive applications, assuming a lifetime of 12 years and a phase out in
2000[97],
the majority of C-PentaBDE in automotive applications has already been disposed
of [98].
ESWI (2011) estimates the current amount of C-PentaBDE present in automotive
applications in the EU at 258 t in 2010. As for waste, ESWI estimates that
243.3 t of C-PentaBDE present in automotive waste is landfilled (~98.5 t),
incinerated without energy recovery (~98.5 t), incinerated with energy recovery
(~17.0 t) and recycled (~29.0 t).
The accumulated
amount of C-PentaBDE in upholstery applications for 2010 is estimated at 321 t.
ESWI (2011) stated that the upholstery sector currently contributes about 96.95
t/y. Hereof, around 91.31 t of C-PentaBDE in upholstery applications have to be
treated in the EU in 2010. The C-PentaBDE has been landfilled (~61.3 t),
incinerated without energy recovery (~18.4 t) and incinerated with energy
recovery (~11.6 t). With the assumed life time of 10 years all C-PentaBDE in
upholstery applications will be disposed of by 2014.
As regards the
relevant exports, no further information is available.
3.2.3.          
Hexabromodiphenyl
ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether
Hexabromodiphenyl
ether (HexaBDE) and heptabromodiphenyl ether (HeptaBDE) are the main congeners
of the commercial octabromodipehyl ether mixture (C-OctaBDE).  Production of
these substances has ceased within the EU in 1996/98.
C-OctaBDE has
historically mainly been used as a flame retardant in Acrylonitrilebuta­diene-styrene
(ABS) polymers with a concentration between 10-18 % by weight (95% of its use
in the EU compared to 70% globally). ABS in turn was mainly used for housing of
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), typically office equipment and
business machines. Throughout the 90’s C-OctaBDE in ABS was increasingly
replaced by alternative flame retardants such as Tetrabromobisphenol A.
Besides, there was a shift from the ABS (90’s) towards PC/ABS and HIPS for outer
casings. 
Like C-PentaBDE,
the use of C-OctaBDE was already banned in the EU in 2004 by the Directive
2003/11/EC and in June 2009 by inclusion in Annex XVII of the REACH Regulation
(Regulation 552/2009). Furthermore, the placing on the market of electrical and
electronic equipment containing C-OctaBDE is also regulated under the RoHS
Directive (2011/65/EU). Hexa- and Hepta-BDEs including in C-OctaBDE are now
regulated by the POP Regulation which bans their production, placing on the
market and use. Derogation is granted for production, placing on the market and
use of electrical and electronic equipment within the scope of RoHS Directive,
i.e. the EEE must comply with the maximum concentration values. 
The annual
amount of C-PentaBDE mainly from electronics entering the environment in the EU
was estimated by ESWI (2011) to be approximately 131 t in 2010, of which 128 t
are contained in end-of-life equipment (corresponding to ~8 t/y of PentaBDE, ~8
t/y of HexaBDE and ~45 t/y of HeptaBDE) and 3 t are emitted directly from the
products According to one scenario included in the ESWI study, out of these 128
t of C-PentaBDE wastes, 66 t bare incinerated, 40 t bare landfilled, and 23 t
recycled. Another scenario is based on the assumption that C-OctaBDE contaminated
plastics are separated from the waste electronics fraction, as requested by the
WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC). The contaminated plastic waste fraction (128 t)
would then be incinerated (ESWI 2011).
 According to
the ESWI study, it is estimated that all C-OctaBDE contained in EEE will have
been disposed of by the end of 2012.
A significant
amount of used and end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is
being illegally exported outside the EU, most of it being declared as still
functioning EEE. For instance, a recent study published by the German UBA and
German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety[99]
indicates that in 2008 between 93.000 t and 216.000 t were exported from the port of Hamburg (Germany) to non-European destinations. Other studies carried out in Ghana and Nigeria – two of the main destinations of these exports where approximately 85% of the EEE
imports originate from the EU – suggest that a significant portion of these
products are either repaired locally and reused as second-hand-products (70%)
or directly recycled by informal scrap metal workers (30%). In both cases,
end-of-life management is largely unregulated and frequently makes use of open
fires to liberate copper from wire insulation or to reduce plastic waste
volumes, generating significant amounts of POPs (Prakash & Manhart 2010[100],
Manhart et al. 2011[101],
Schluep et al. 2011[102])
In the EU, only
a few full scale e-waste recycling facilities separate PBDE containing plastic.
One facility with automatic separation step for WEEE plastic containing
halogens (including BFRs) is known in Switzerland (UNEP 2011)[103].
Therefore, there are some doubts whether the capacity of European WEEE
recycling plants for separation of PBDE (BFR) containing plastic from other plastic
are currently sufficiently developed to separate a major part of PBDE/BFR
containing plastic.
Furthermore,
thermoplastics (i.e. mainly outer casings) separated from waste EEE is also
being exported to non-European countries on a regular basis, where it is used
as recyclate for the plastics industry, which might in some cases lead to
cross-contamination of products and thus unintentional POPs-production through
improper end-of-life treatment of these products (Manhart 2012[104]).

Also, screening
of plastic products has revealed that even sensitive uses like children toys
(Chen 2009)[105] along with
household goods (Chen 2010)[106]
are contaminated with PBDE and other BFRs. Concluding on the above, there is
thus no evidence that the flow of plastics recovered from WEEE and containing
PBDE is properly controlled in recycling operations. 
3.2.4.          
Perfluorooctane
sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride
Perfluorooctane
sulfonate is a fully fluorinated anion, which is commonly used as a salt or incorporated
into larger polymers. 
The
use of PFOS, its salts anf other derivatives has been restricted in the EU
since 2008 by Directive 2006/122/EC[107].
These restrictions were later taken up in REACH Annex XVII by Regulation
552/2009. Now, the production, placing on the market and use of PFOS, its salts
and other derivatives is regulated under the POP Regulation. Exemptions granted
by the POP Regulation are significantly less numerous than in the Stockholm
Convention, as alternatives are available to many of those uses. The derogation
is given for production and placing on the market for the following uses (a)
until 26 August 2015, wetting agents for use in controlled electroplating
systems; (b) photoresists or anti-reflective coatings for photolitho­graphy processes;
(c) photographic coatings applied to films, papers, or printing plates; (d)
mist suppressants for non-decorative hard chromium (VI) plating in closed loop
systems; (e) hydraulic fluids for aviation.
The production
of PFOS in the EU has basically been phased out between 2000 and 2004. Due to
the existing exemptions in the POP Regulation however, a minor production still
takes place in Germany and Italy but quantitative data on it is not
available.  
The current use
in the EU includes the metal plating industry (6,500 kg/y), use in hydraulic
fluids in the aviation industry (730 kg/y), photographic industry (562 kg/y
used + ~1,280 kg from historical storage) and semiconductor industry (9.3
kg/y). PFOS has been also present in the fire fighting foams (90 t in stocks)
which however had to be destroyed by 27 June 2011 and there are known some
stockpiles of PFOS from historical usage in photographic industry (1,280 kg)
(ESWI 2011). In the past PFOS were used as surface-active agents in different
applications and products, in coatings and coating additives, in carpets and
textiles, in rubber and plastics, in upholstery and in the leather industry.
Products with a relatively long lifetime will thus still enter the waste stream
and contaminate it with PFOS. i.e. carpets or (leather) upholstery.
The total amount
from the past uses is about 1.730 t/y PFOS. The overall discharge of PFOS in
Europe accounts for about 165 t / y. Hereof, the major waste stream from all
sectors are dominated by the carpet sector (~94 %), followed with great
distance by fire fighting foams (~5 %) and the leather industry (~1 %). The
most relevant source for emission to the environment are fire fighting foams
with ~52 % followed by metal plating ~43 % further the photo industry with 3 %
and hydraulic fluids with 1.7 %. One probably underestimated sector in this
first very rough substance flow assessment is the textile and the furniture
sector which were a major use sector of PFOS (ESWI 2011)[108].

The majority of
PFOS waste is currently disposed of on landfills for non-hazardous waste (63%)
followed by non-hazardous incineration (31%). It is estimated that only 1.31 %
of all PFOS containing waste is currently reused or recycled. The remaining
PFOS containing waste is destroyed in hazardous waste incineration plants (ESWI
2011). 
3.2.5.          
Pentachlorobenzene
(PeCB) 
Pentachlorobenzene
(PeCB) was listed as new POP in Annex A and C of the Stockholm Convention in
May 2009. It is now regulated by the POP Regulation which bans its production,
placing on the market and use. 
Therefore, it is
not being intentionally produced or used anymore within the EU. Historic
intentional uses within Europe comprised the application together with
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in electrical equipment, as flame-retardant
and as intermediate in the production of the pesticide quintozene. ESWI (2011)
estimated that the current most relevant source of PeCB production and emission
are incineration and combustion processes of different wastes/materials
including coal[109].
Emissions of PeCB to the environment (mainly air and to a lesser degree soil)
were estimated from ESWI to approximately 2.324 kg/y with the main contribution
resulting from power production from coal (ca. 83%) followed by domestic
burning of solid fuels, wood and mixed wastes (8%). 
According to the
E-PRTR data for 2009 (published 05/2011), the major release to air stem from
the metal industry and chemical industry with a minor impact from power
production from coal. The largest individual release to air stems from two
metal facilities with reported PeCB releases of 107 kg and 240 kg respectively
(E-PRTR 2009)[110].
Almost all PeCB release to water in E-PRTR (2009) of 640 kg is reported from 
the production of basic organic chemicals . From the E-PRTR information it
could not be decided whether this release stem from current production or from
deposits of the site. However, the associated water release of 88 kg of HCH
from the same site indicate that larger releases stem from deposits and thus
most probably the PeCB releases also stem from deposits. It is known that
organochlorine production of certain solvents (tetrachlorometane,
tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene) have generated and often deposited
10.000ds of tons of HCB/PeCB waste (UNEP 2010)[111].
The E-PRTR data shows that these solvents are also being released from the same
factory, which further supports the hypotheses that the reported case is a
release of PeCB from a HCB/PeCB deposit from former tetrachlorometane,
tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene production. The importance to inventory
and to assess HCB/PeCB waste deposits was emphasised in the POPs inventory
session at Dioxin 2011 in Bruessels (Weber et al. 2011b)[112].
These releases constitute most of the EU PRTR 2009 water releases and more than
50% of total PRTR 2009 PeCB releases. Furthermore, a recent review on the
future relevance of POPs deposits highlighted the necessity to assess the
impact of flooding risks of such sites in particular in the context of
increased flooding in recent years and in future occurring in Europe triggered
by climate change (Weber et al. 2011)[113] .
This is also
underpinned by a case from Czech Republic where the releases of HCB and PeCB
have and are contaminating the river Elbe sediments (Heinisch et al. 2006)[114].
For this site the releases have not been included yet in the PRTR system. The
possible high impact of PeCB release from organochorine production and deposits
(in particular specific solvents) was also highlighted by a recent POP
Reviewing Committee Document (UNEP 2010) 
3.2.6.          
SCCPs
– short chain chlorinated paraffins
Short chain
chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are already regulated in the EU since 2002 by a
restriction of the use of SCCPs for metal working fluids and fat liquoring as
substances or as constituents of other substances or preparations in
concentrations higher than 1%.[115]
This restriction was taken up in REACH Annex XVII. Furthermore, SCCPs (Alkanes,
C10-13, chloro) were included in the candidate list for REACH Annex XIV because
of their PBT and vPvB properties.Following the inclusion of SCCPs in the POPs
Protocol SCCPs was listed in Annex I[116] of the POP
regulation.
The current use
of SCCPs includes application in paints, adhesives and sealants, plastics and
rubber, flame retardants as well as textiles and polymeric materials (e.g. PCB
substitute in gaskets). However, use and production have significantly declined
since 1998 and especially after 2002 due to the above mentioned EU restriction.

The rubber
industry (conveyor belt, gaskets, hoses) is the main application of SCCP (1,254
t/y) followed by the sealants and adhesives sector (459 t/y) and by the paints
and varnishes sector (337 t/y). The textile industry covers only a small
fraction of the overall used amount of SCCP (31 t/y). 
The relevant
waste flows have been established for all of the sections and the corresponding
figure represents that the highest share of non-hazardous waste comes from
landfilling (66%) followed by incineration with about 20%. 
Also leather
which has been impregnated with SCCP in the past can enter the waste stream due
to its long lifetime. 
The total SCCP
containing waste amount (without sewage sludge) sums up to about 44 kt/y. 
The relative
distribution of environmental emissions from investigated sectors in the EU is
as follows: The most important source of emissions is volatile and particulate
releases from sealants and adhesives (42 % or 36 t/y) followed by rubber (31 %
or 25 t/y) as well as from paints and varnishes (21 % or 17.4 t/y) and textiles
(5% or 4.1 t/y) (ESWI 2011).
3.2.7.          
HCBD
– hexachlorobutadien
HCBD is listed
as priority hazardous substance in the Water Framework Directive, for which
discharge, emission or loss must cease or be phased out. Nevertheless, the
inclusion of HCBD in the POPs Protocol has triggered the obligation to take up
HCBD in the POP regulation which is however still to be implemented.   
The intentional
use and production of HCBD has not occurred in Europe for many years (UNECE
2007). HCBD is mainly formed as an unintentional by-product during several
industrial processes (as a solvent for rubber and other polymers, in heat
transfer fluids, as a transformer liquid or hydraulic fluid). However available
information about these industrial processes is scarce. 
Nowadays, the
most important source of HCBD is due to the manufacture of chlorinated solvents
through chlorolysis of tri- and tetrachloroethene, tetrachloroethylene and
tetrachloro­methane. The estimated amount of HCBD produced during this process
varies between ~0.7 kg/year up to possible ~500 kg/year (ESWI 2011). 
Urban waste-water
treatment plants are a second main source of HCBD (E-PRTR 2009). HCBD in waste
water treatment stations accumulate in the sewage sludge. A total amount of
HCBD which ends up in the sewage sludge in all 27 EU Member States is estimated
to be approximately 6 kg/year. It must be noted here that this estimation is
based on sewage sludge contamination data from China since no data from
European facilities were identified (ESWI 2011).
Unintentional
production and releases from the plastic (PVC) industry may be relevant, but
specific data is not available yet. 
HCBD is and has
been produced as by-product of certain chlorinated solvent production and is
among the prime pollutants of “Hexachloro­benzene” wastes deposited in 10000
tons scale from such productions in the past. Therefore such waste deposits can
be considered to be the largest stock of HCBD (ESWI 2011). 
3.2.8.          
PCN
– polychlorinated naphthalenes
PCN was
restricted in 2012[117]
when the POPs regulation was amended to implement the e.g. UNECE decision. However,
wastes containing PCN are characterised as hazardous waste under Annex VIII
entry A3180 of the Basel Convention. As PCN has been listed as a POP in the
POPs Protocol.,the POP Regulation will be amended adding PCN to its annexes.  
PCNs are a group
of substances based on the naphthalene ring system and they are structurally
similar to the PCBs. PCNs are no longer commercially produced in the EU. They
were produced in the past as mixtures of several congeners and with different
product names e.g. Halowax, Nibren Waxes, Seekay Waxes and Cerifal Materials
(UNECE 2007)[118].
The main use of PCNs was in the electrical industry as separators in storage
batteries, capacitor impregnates, as binders for electrical grade ceramics and
sintered metals, and in cable covering compositions. They have also been used
for impregnation of wood, paper and textiles to attain water proofness, flame
resistance and protection against insects, moulds and fungi. Furthermore, they
were used as additives in gear and cutting oils, in lacquers and underwater
paints and as raw material for dyes[119].

PCN are
currently formed mainly unintentionally during various thermal processes (UNECE
2007). As PCNs exhibit similar formation properties as PCDD/Fs, unintentional
production during incineration processes as municipal solid waste incineration
(MSWI), hospital waste incineration, domestic burning, or different metal
processing steps such as secondary copper production, secondary aluminium
production, magnesium production as well as iron sintering and electrical arc
furnace processes for iron production are of relevance. Moreover, the
accumulation in sewage sludge from diffuse sources is a relevant pathway (ESWI
2011). 
The total waste
amount is estimated about 3.200 kg of PCN (ESWI 2011). The main waste stream
found its way into the recycling and recovery channel (about 90%). Emissions of
polychlorinated naphthalenes to the environment amount to approximately 12
kg/year.
3.2.9.          
Overall
waste related issues for new POPs
The POP
Regulation has been amended in 2010  in order to reflect the inclusion of new
POPs in the Stockholm Convention and the POP Protocol, and will be amended
again (as indicated in the section 2.1.1) to include missing limit values in
Annexes IV and V. Part of the necessary amendments relate to the setting of
concentration limits for new POPs in waste in order to define whether further
treatment will need to destroy or irreversibly transform the POP content in
waste. In this context, the Commission launched a study to acquire the necessary
scientific information in order to amend the POP Regulation with a view to
setting limit values for new POPs. 
The study made a
proposal with regards to low and maximum POP concentration limits (LPCL and
MCPL). It further suggested to eliminate POPs in articles directly upon
becoming waste to prevent that the POPs would be diluted due to recycling in
new products as it will be much more difficult to identify and eliminate the
concerned substances at later stages when recycled products will become waste. In
addition, this takes into consideration the high calorific value of the
majority of concerned waste streams and their suitability for thermal treatment
– including energy recovery – and adds an additional argument to prefer R1
operations[120]
instead of landfilling as predominant treatment option (ESWI 2011).
Furthermore, the
study concludes that “in order to improve the data background, analytical
results on concentration levels in relevant waste streams should be generated
in due time”. It became clear during the data gathering exercise within the
framework of the study that “the data background is sometimes limited and the
contamination levels in several waste flows are based on modelling and
justified assumptions.” The authors also see the need to evaluate “real
contamination levels in the relevant waste streams prior to lowering the
concentration limits for PBDEs in new articles produced from recycled materials
in Annex I[121]”.

3.3.                
Unintentional
POPs
Unintentional
POPs (UPOPs) releases remain an important POP source in the EU. They are more
difficult to monitor and tackling their reduction and phase out is also
complex, indeed impossible in the case of most thermal sources and of emissions
from open burning. Furthermore, the sources of unintentionally produced POPs
are rather disperse and thus measures cannot be as targeted as for
intentionally produced and used POPs. 
Member States
extensively reported monitoring data for the release of unintentionally
produced POPs into the air, water and soil using three methodologies: Stockholm
Convention’s, E-PRTR's and EMEP's. A remarkable amount of infor­ma­tion is
available on air and water emissions, in particular from the E-PRTR and EMEP
databases that are standardised, user-friendly and are readily available in
electronic form for analysis. Yet, however, there have only been few cases of
reported data related to the Stockholm Convention methodology.
3.3.1.          
Estimation
and monitoring of emissions
The emissions to
air, water and soil of the unintentionally produced POPs listed in Annex C
of the Stockholm Convention or in Annex III of the POP Protocol
(hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, polychlorinated biphenyls,
polychlorinadetd dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans and polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons) are registered in the European Pollutant Release and Transfer
Register (E-PRTR). Furthermore, EMEP is monitoring and modelling UPOPs levels
in air for the EMEP region and is compiling the air inventories (EMEP 2011).[122]
The
establishment of the E-PRTR database is based on the European Pollutant Release
and Transfer Register Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 (see section 0). The E-PRTR
database[123]
contains reported data from approximately 28.500 facilities from the EU-27 and Island, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland in 65 economic activities for 91
pollutants, including the unintentional produced POPs that are covered under
the Stockholm Convention and the POP Protocol from 2007 to 2009 (see Table 7).
Table 7                    Emissions
of unintentionally produced POPs according to E-PRTR (PCDD + PCDF as TEQ)
 POP substance || Year || Air || Water || Soil 
 Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) || 2007 || 1,22 kg || 12,3 g || 213 g 
 2008 || 1,72 kg || 23,4 g || 2,0 g 
 2009 || 1,35 kg || 14,3 g || No data available 
 Main sources || Production and processing of metals || Production and processing of metals || Production and processing of metals 
 Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) || 2007 || 86 kg || 120 kg || No data available 
 2008 || 259 kg || 93 kg || No data available 
 2009 || 42,3 kg || 63,9 kg || No data available 
 Main sources || Chemical industry waste and wastewater management || Waste and wastewater management || - 
 Pentachlorobenzene || 2007 || - || 16,5 kg || No data available 
 2008 || 1,78 t || 36,1 kg || No data available 
 2009 || 348 kg || 661 kg || No data available 
 Main sources || Production and processing of metals || Chemical Industry, Waste and waste water management, Energy sector || - 
 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) || 2007 || 192 kg || 37,3 kg || 26,4 kg 
 2008 || 160 kg || 185 kg || 29,5 kg 
 2009 || 111 kg || 222 kg || 516 kg 
 Main sources || Production and processing of metals, mineral industry || Waste and waste water management (urban waste-water treatment plants) || Waste and waste water management, Animal and vegetable products from the food and beverage sector 
 Polycyclic aromatic carbons (PAHs) || 2007 || 249 t || 12,7 t || 343 kg 
 2008 || 214 t || 10,6 t || 17,4 kg 
 2009 || 85,7 t || 7,30 t || 163 kg 
 Main sources || Production and processing of metals || Production and processing of metals || Waste and waste water management, production and processing of metals 
E-PRTR data are
not suitable for establishing trends since reporting data can vary between
different years depending on which plants report, and are rather incomplete at
least for several UPOPs. This can be seen e.g. for PeCB with just 8 facilities
reporting or for HCB where just 6 facilities reported. 
Also, large
variations are observed if e.g. a facility with significant emissions reports
for the first time in a given year. This was the case for the high release of
PeCB to water of 640 kg PeCB from a single chemical plant newly listed in 2009
(see section 3.2.5 above). Also for PCB, the 1.700% increase to soil was
attributed to one facility (category 5f urban waste water treatment);
reporting 483 kg PCB release to soil. This facility did not report in 2008 and
without the reporting of this facility the levels of 2008 and 2009 would have
been comparable.
The two selected
examples show that interpretation of time trends with PRTR are currently
difficult and need a detailed assessment of reporting facilities.
A more detailed
investigation of some E-PRTR also reveals inconsistencies as those mentioned
for PeCB emissions from some metal industries amounting to 100 and 200 kg PeCB
(PRTR 2009), while other facility did not report any PeCB emissions at all
(which would mean less than 1 kg release/ year). 
Such inconsistencies
and incompleteness in the E-PRTR in respect to UPOPs reporting will need to be
systematically assessed and improved. The case of releases from the chemical
factory (Table 8) highlights the need to assess also releases from POPs/UPOPs
deposits in order to improve the completeness of E-PRTR data. 
According to the
official and unofficial emission data considered by EMEP, total emissions of
PCDD/Fs within the EMEP domain decreased by 58% in the period from 1990 to
2009. PCDD/F emissions within the Northern Hemisphere (EMEP region, the USA and Canada) declined by 50% during the same period (Figure 7). Among the countries that have
submitted official data on PCDD/F emissions for 2009, maximum emission
reduction within the considered period took place in the Netherlands (96%), France (95%), Germany (92%), Belgium (91%), Switzerland (91%), Romania (91%) and the Czech Republic (89%). 
As
regards the emission data it should be noted that despite the improvements
achieved in the past years uncertainties in the emission estimations remain to
be relatively high, particularly in relation to emission factors and activity
rates. In addition, the comparison of measured and modelled data for dioxins
and hexachlorobenzene revealed that modelled data underestimated measured air
concentrations by a factor of 5 and more (EMEP 2011). According to EMEP, the
underestima­tion can be related to the incompleteness of available emission
data, under­estimation of the role of secondary emission sources, differences
in congener profiles and general underestimation of emissions. Thorough
analysis of contemporary and historical emissions is thus needed to refine the
assessments of pollution levels. 
The exposure of
the population to unintentional POPs is addressed by the food and feed
regulations (see section 0) and by the Directive 2004/107/EC on ambient air
pollutants (see section 0).
3.3.2.          
Addressing
industrial sources
The core
instrument covering the environmental performance of large industrial
installations (covering emissions to air, water and land and generation of
waste) is the Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (IED). The emission
limit values, parameters or equivalent technical measures to be set in the
permits of the installations covered have to be based on the Best Available
Techniques (BAT). The BAT are described and defined at EU level in the Best
Available Techniques REFerence Documents (BREFs documents) which
can be downloaded from the website of the European IPPC Bureau[124].
The BAT conclusions from these BREFs are adopted by the Commission under the
IED.
In the area of
POPs, relevant BAT conclusions recently adopted include those for iron and
steel, and cement, lime and magnesium oxide production.
Other relevant
sectors, for which BREFs have been adopted previously under the IPPC Directive
include ferrous and non-ferrous metals, paper and pulp production, waste
incinera­tion, smitheries and foundries and large combustion plants. As for the
status of these documents:
The review of
these BREFs is undertaken or will start in the near future in the context of
the IED (2010/75/EU) (see 2.1.4). 
The BAT
conclusions are to be the reference for the permitting authorities in setting
conditions for installations covered by the IED. In this context, emission
limit values have to be set by the competent authorities for all relevant
pollutants that can be emitted from the installations. The technical working
groups involved in the information exchange leading to the drafting or revision
of the BREFs and the Commission co-ordinating the process will for each of the
sectors concerned assess which pollutants are to be dealt with in the BREF and
BAT conclusions contained therein and will endeavour to exchange information on
the techniques to prevent or reduce emissions of those pollutants, including
their performance and costs. However, the information exchange is a voluntary
process, so it will depend on the information that is provided by the
stakeholders or can be gathered by the European IPPC Bureau. It may not always
be the case that all 'relevant' pollutants in the context of an individually
permitted installation will be covered by the BREFs and it will be for the
competent authorities concerned to determine the additional pollutants for
which an emission limit value may need to be set at the installation level.
The Directive
2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste covers all waste incineration and
co-incineration facilities  and sets limit values for emissions of PCDD/Fto air
(0.1 ng I-TEQ/m3) and water (0.3 ng/l). This Directive is now replaced by the
IED, which has taken over these limits. The Waste Incineration directive will
be repealed on 7 January 2014.
In 2010, CEN has
adopted part 4 of the standard EN 1948 for the determination of the mass
concentration of PCDDs/PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs from stationary source
emissions (covering sampling and analysis of dioxin-like PCBs).
Combustion
plants (other than those incinerating waste) with a rated thermal input of less
than 50 MW are not covered by the IED. However, the IED includes a review
clause in Article 73(2) according to which the Commission has reviewed the need
to control emissions from these installations and has reported to the European
Parliament and the Council. This report does not consider in details the
emissions of POPs.
3.3.3.          
Addressing
domestic sources
Domestic sources
are also important for the release of unintentional POPs. The Commission has
issued a study on “Information Exchange on Reduction of Dioxin Emissions from
Domestic Sources”[125].
The key messages regarding labelling were: “Eco-labelling schemes for solid
fuel fired domestic appliances are established or planned in 10 Member States.
The focus is on energy efficiency, low CO and dust (PM) emissions. Effects on
dioxin are only indirect (reduced fuel consumption via increased energy
efficiency).” The Commission published the results of the study in a brochure
in order “to stimulate awareness raising, exchange of good practice as well as
to encourage development of new solutions and measures”[126].
In this respect,
currently under the EuP Directive a preparatory study on “Solid Fuel Small
Combustion Installations” (Lot 15) has been undertaken. The study concluded
that no measures withr regards dioxins will be taken. 
Recently it has
been described (Grochowalsky (2010)) that use of copper catalysts that are
marketed in some European countries for cleaning domestic ovens increases the
dioxin emission from a domestic source by several orders of magnitude. Even
assuming that only a small percent of the population would use such a catalyst,
the release from this already relevant source could considerably increase.
Therefore, the desirability of such practice might need to be examined.
3.4.                
Information
on the state of knowledge on stockpiles and contaminated sites
Since the
production of most POPs ended some years ago, only a minor part is still in use
in the anthroposphere. However, exposure of humans and the environment can
continue from landfills, dumps, stockpiles or contaminated sites where a large
part of POPs has been deposited or stored (Weber et al. 2008[127],
Weber et al. 2011[128]).
Therefore the identification and assessment of POPs contaminated sites and
deposits and their current impact is a crucial part of assessing POPs exposure
risk and management needs. 
The
European Environmental Agency estimated that potentially polluting activities
have occurred at nearly 3 million sites and stressed that investigation is
needed to establish, whether remediation is required (European Environment
Agency 2007). In this overview report it was however not mentioned how many of
these sites have POPs as a main contaminant. 
Monitoring
under the Water Framework Directive, particularly if done in biota and/or
sediment, should increasingly contribute to knowledge of the contamination of
water bodies with several of the POPs and thus support the targeting of
remediation.
3.4.1.          
PCB
contaminated sites and deposits
In several
European rivers, the maximum level set for dioxin-like PCBs in food[129] was
found to have exceeded in fish (e.g. BUWAL 2010[130],
NIP Germany[131]).
In a recent study in Switzerland – considering this European maximum levels for
dioxin-like PCBs – such fish contamination could be tracked back to PCB point
sources (e.g. landfill containing condensers or metal smelting industry having
used and/or processed PCB containing equipment) (Zennegg et al. 2010)[132].
Due to the experiences with PCB contaminated sites and their impact on fish in
surface waters the Swiss environmental agency (BUWAL) is currently establishing
a manual for competent authorities to track potentially PCB contaminated sites
(Tremp 2011)[133].
No similar mapping approach to track directly the point sources for PCB
contamination has been discovered in the assessment of NIPs of EU Member States
and other EU agency reports. The only other example identified is a
comprehensive mapping of PCB contaminated sites established for France by a NGO[134].

3.4.2.          
HCH
contaminated sites and waste deposits 
Waste
deposits of HCH in the EU originate mainly from the former production of
lindane, which is a g-isomer
of HCH. According to several studies by International
HCH & Pesticides Association (IHPA 2006 a,b, Vijgen et al. 2011)[135],[136],[137],
300000 t of lindane have been used within the EU between 1950 and 2000
which resulted to generation of 1.8 to 3 million tonnes of HCH wastes that were
largely deposited around the production sites.  
The
IHPA 2006 a,b studies report two main European cases on HCH in the Netheralnds
and Spain (Basque country). These cases have proven that often the original
waste problem has additionally resulted in a huge soil problem. For example,
the original amount of 5500 tons of HCH waste in the Netherlands has created a
regional soil contamination of nearly 400 000 m3. Similar
experiences can be stated from Basque Country where nearly 90000 tons of HCH waste
has led to a soil pollution of 500.000 to 1 Mio tons of with HCH contaminated
soils.
A recent review
on global
perspective on the management of lindane and its waste isomers (Vijgen et al.
2011)
identifies the following EU Member States with former lindane production: Austria, Czech Republic,  France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, The Netherlands, UK. Additionally in Europe Macedonia and Switzerland have produced lindane.
3.4.3.          
Other
POPs Pesticides
Sites
contaminated with POP pesticides are particularly a challenge in East European
countries and are associated with POP-pesticide stockpiles and former sites
where POP pesticides have been stored. These sites pose critical exposure risk
for local population (IHPA 2011)[138]
and can contribute to contamination of food in EU. 
3.4.4.          
Contaminated
sites from unintentionally formed POPs (PCDD, PCDF, PCB, HCB, PeCB, PAHs) 
At
country level Sweden has comprehensively assessed PCDD/PCDF contaminated sites
and started with remediation and securing activities. 
In respect to
PeCB and HCB, a recent UNEP report from the POP Reviewing Committee also
highlights the relevance of deposited HCB/PeCB wastes from organochlorine
productions which amounted to 10,000 tonnes for individual factories (UNEP
2010)..Within the EU, only one such case has been documented,
including the resulting releases to water (Heinisch et al. 2006)[139].
Moreover, the largest known emission level of PeCB in water (640 kg; PRTR 2009)
is more likely to be attributed to a release from a contaminated site/deposit
than to production itself.
Further relevant
contaminated sites concern the former disposal of residues from chloralkali
plants highly contaminated with PCDD/F, PCN, PAH and Barium. One case revealed
the significance of such contaminations[140]. This case
was subsequently remediated[141].
3.4.5.          
PBDE
contaminated sites
PBDEs
contaminated sites or hot spots have mainly been reported from primitive
treatment of electronic waste (Wong et al. 2007)[142] and
from the release of PBDE from landfills (Weber et al. 2011) [143]. The
assessed landfills were located in the US, Canada, Japan and South Africa. PBDE have been detected in the leachates or ground water in all the landfills
under investigation. There are also studies that have been made in European
countries and in which PBDE has been analysed in landfill leachates (COHIBA
2011) [144]. 
For
PBDE production sites or areas where PBDE have been used, e.g. in the plastic
industry, no reports on contaminated sites have been found in the public
domain. A systematic assessment of environmental contamination in the life
cycle of PBDE is missing in this respect. 
3.4.6.          
PFOS
contaminated sites
The landfilling
of waste originating from the production and use of PFOS and other
perfluorinated compounds has generated large contaminated sites (Bantz 2011[145],
Kroefges et al. 2007[146],
Oliaei et al. 2011[147],
Weber et al. 2011143).
Therefore, the need of a compre­hensive assessment of PFOS contaminated sites
along the life cycle of PFOS is reflected also in the recommendations of the
COP5[148].
A systematic
assessment on PFOS contaminated sites has not yet been reported by any of the
Member States. However, some ad hoc work has started in Europe in recent years.
In one instance,
drinking water was polluted for more than 4 million people (Kroefges et al.
2007). The PFOS/PFOA source was contaminated sludge imported to Germany as hazardous waste which then was relabelled by the importing company and sold to
farmers which treated the agricultural fields with it thereby contaminating
many areas. From there, perfluorinated compounds leached into rivers and the
drinking water reservoir (Skutlarek et al. 2006).[149]
Other PFOS
contaminated sites have been described for application sites of fire fighting
foams (Norwegian Pollution Control Agency[150], State of
Jersey 2004[151],
Weber et al. 2011). 
The analysis of
leachate from municipal solid waste landfills in Denmark (Bossi 2008[152]),
 Germany (Busch 2010[153])
and Sweden (Woldegiorgis 2006[154])
has revealed that leachates can contain high levels of PFCs including PFOS. An assessment of deposited wastes and related releases has not
been performed up to now.
A systematic
assessment on PFOS contaminated sites has been reported on the city level for 
Düssel­dorf/Germany (Bantz et al. 2011).
In
summary, these examples show that PFOS (and other perfluorinated compounds) can
result in PFOS (PFC) contaminated sites and – due to their mobility – in water,
too, thus impacting the wider environment. Hence, a systematic assessment of
such sites is necessary. 
3.5.                
Emerging
POPs
Both
international agreements on POPs foresee listing of additional substances in
the annexes of substances to be banned, restricted or otherwise controlled. Any
Party may propose amendments to this end, and criteria and procedure for review
of the proposals have been established. The aim of the European Union and the
Member States is to include further POP substances particularly under the
Stockholm Convention agreement in order to contribute to achieving the 2020
chemicals target adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
The EU has
submitted two-thirds of the proposals for new POPs under the Stockholm
Convention (Endosulfan, Commercial Octabromodiphenyl ether; Pentachlorobenzene,
short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), Hexachlorobutadien (HCBD),
Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dicofol) and
PFOS and trifluralin in addition under the POP Protocol . The proposal for the
inclusion of short-chain chlorinated paraffins, HCBD, PCNs, PCP and dicofol under
the Stockholm Conventionare currently under evaluation by the POP Review
Committee. 
The registration
of chemicals under the REACH Regulation may serve as a main source of
information for identifying emerging POPs. Although there are tonnage triggers
for registration below which the data submitted to the authorities are not
necessarily sufficient for POP assessment, the REACH regulation addresses the
specifically PBT or vPvB substances (see section 0).
The online PBT
Information System of the Joint Research Centre provides information on
existing substances which have been subject to evaluation of their PBT
properties under the Interim Strategy for REACH and the EEC/793/93 Existing
Substances Regulation (ESR) program.[155] 
PART II –
Implementation Plan
4.                      
Implementation of the basic obligations of the Stockholm Convention
4.1.                
Elimination
of intentional production and use of POPs (Article 3(1))
4.1.1.          
POP
pesticides, HCB, HBB and PeCB
Obligation: Article
3, paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Convention: prohibit and / or take legal
or administrative measures necessary to eliminate the production and use of
aldrin, alpha and beta hexachlorocyclohexane, chlordane, chlordecone,
dieldrin, endosulfan, endrin, heptachlor, hexabromo­biphenyl,
hexachlorobenzene, lindane, mirex, pentachlorobenzene as well as
toxaphene.[156]
Implementation
so far:
Production, placing on the market and use of the above-mentioned substances as
such, in preparations or in articles is prohibited in the EU by Regulation (EC)
No 850/2004. The EU does not provide for any country-specific exemptions. 
Analysis:
Legal measures regarding production, placing on the market and use are
considered to be sufficiently comprehensive. There is no need for further
legislative measures at Union or Member State level as the Regulation is
directly applicable in all EU Member States.
Border and
market surveillance by the Member States remain necessary and following recent
findings of HCB presence in some fireworks it is desirable to intensify
compliance controls of products in line with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008
setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating
to the marketing of products. Cases of non-compliance need to be reported to
the Commission.
4.1.2.          
PCBs
Obligation: Article
3, paragraph 1(a)(i) and Annex A, Part II of the Convention: prohibit
and / or take legal or administrative measures necessary to eliminate
the production and use of PCBs.
Implementation
so far:
Production, placing on the market and use of PCBs as such and in preparations
is fully prohibited by Regulation (EC) No 850/2004.
Articles
containing PCBs already in use are covered by specific provisions laid down in
Directive 96/59/EC (PCB Directive) (cf. section 0). The Directive requires
Member States to compile inventories of equipment with PCB volumes of more than
5 litres, and to phase-out and destroy such PCB equipment before the deadline
of 31.12.2010.
Analysis:
Legal measures on production, marketing and new use of PCBs (and PCTs) are
sufficiently comprehensive and there is no need for further legislative
measures at Union or Member State level as the Regulation is directly
applicable in national legislation in each EU-Member State. Directive 96/59/EC
addresses the main application areas of PCBs and lays down a stringent timetable
for specific essential control actions. In conformity with the PCB Directive,
inventories of PCB containing equipment, as well as action plans for their
disposal and collection were compiled by all Member States. The Commission has
gathered information about current amounts of PCB equipment and PCB wastes in
the EU given that the information on PCB inventories had become obsolete (cf.
section 3.1.4). The survey has showed that there are still significant
quantities of PCB equipment in use. In addition, only three Member States have
achieved to decontaminate or to dispose of large PCB equipment by the end of
2010 as required by the Directive. In those cases where the deadline for the
disposal and decontamination of large PCB equipment has not been met and in
those cases where MS did not provide any information, the Commission will
consider the need to take legal steps.
PCBs have been
used in several open applications (e.g. sealants, anti-corrosion paints, flame
retardants, specific paper). Open applications are highlighted by the PCB
Elimination Network in the Stockholm Convention context due to the relevance of
human exposure in kindergarten, schools and other public buildings but also
private housing constructed in the 1950s to the early 1970s. It is desirable
that Member States consider the situation of open PCB applications in their
territory and take measures to minimise exposure of humans and the environment
to PCBs from this source. 
From the 1950s to the early 1970s, PCBs
uses in anti-corrosion paints included bridges and other constructions as well
as electric poles. Some of this equipment reaches the end of its useful life.
The large metal parts are recycled in electric arc furnaces (EAF). Since the
combustion processes in these batch operations are incomplete, a considerable
share of these PCBs will most probably evaporate and not be destroyed.
Furthermore, these conditions promote the development of PCDF which is
associated with an increased toxicity. Currently, there is no assessment
available as to how much PCB painted scrap is entering the waste stream and the
secondary metal treatment. Also, there is no data on dedicated testing of
associated releases. However, it is known from measurements in EAF that
considerable PCB loads are emitted which only can be explained by PCB input
from material treated with it[157].
4.1.3.          
Hexabromodiphenyl
ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and
pentabromodiphenyl ether
Obligation: Article
3, paragraph 1(a)(i) and Annex A, Part IV and Part V of the Convention:
prohibit and / or take legal or administrative measures necessary to eliminate
the production and use of hexabromodiphenyl ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether,
tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether. A Party may allow
recycling of articles that contain or may contain hexabromodiphenyl ether,
heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl
ether, and the use and final disposal of articles manufactured from recycled
materials that contain or may contain hexabromodiphenyl ether,
heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl
ether.
Article 3,
paragraph 6: take appropriate measures to ensure that any production or use
under a specific exemption in accordance with Annex A or a specific exemption
or an acceptable purpose in accordance with Annex B is carried out in a manner
that prevents or minimizes human exposure and release into the environment. For
exempted uses or acceptable purposes that involve intentional release into the
environment under conditions of normal use, such release shall be to the
minimum extent necessary, taking into account any applicable standards and
guidelines.
Recommendations COP5
COP5 in its
decision SC-5/5 encouraged parties and other relevant stakeholders to implement
the recommendations provided in the decision POPRC-6/2 on the elimination from
the waste stream of brominated diphenyl ethers with the objective to achieve
the elimination as swiftly as possible. The recommendations include:
·        
Separate
articles containing BDEs as soon as possible before recycling[158]:
establish and apply screening techniques and separate materials containing
BDEs.
·        
The
main focus should be on developed countries handling primary flame-retarded
articles containing higher concentrations of BDEs; attention should be paid to
identification and treatment of BDEs in articles for both domestic use and for
export.
·        
Begin
establishing national control schemes for recycling of waste potentially
containing BDEs.
·        
Following
the implementation of effective screening and separation techniques, stop the
recycling of articles containing BDEs.
·        
Store
in a safe manner materials and articles containing BDEs when screening and
separation techniques are not readily available.
·        
Stop
the export of waste materials containing BDEs except for the purpose of
environmentally sound disposal in the importing country as set forth in
paragraph 1 (d) of Article 6 of the Stockholm Convention.[159]
·        
Endeavour
to promote the commercialization of separation techniques, which have already
been evaluated in trial plants or which have yet to be developed, for removing
BDEs from plastic matrices to permit continued recycling.
Implementation
so far:
Production, placing on the market and use of hexabromodiphenyl ether,
heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether
is prohibited fully by Regulation (EC) No 850/2004. In addition, Directive
2002/95/EC on the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and
electronic equipment (EEE) (RoHS Directive, see section 0) allows the use of
all PBDEs in EEE put on the EU market only below the maximum concentration
value of 0,1 weight-% in the homogeneous material and in case of specific
exemptions listed in the Directive’s Annex. Under the POP Regulation uses of
hexabromodiphenyl ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and
pentabromodiphenyl ether that fall under the scope of the RoHS Directive are
allowed as exemption as well as concentrations of hexabromodiphenyl ether,
heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether
equal to or below 10 mg/kg (0,001% by weight) when it occurs in substances,
preparations, articles or as constituents of the flame-retarded parts of
articles. Articles and preparations containing concentrations below 0,1% of
hexabromodiphenyl ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and
pentabromodiphenyl ether by weight when produced partially or fully from
recycled materials or materials from waste prepared for re-use are also
exempted from the obligation. Furthermore, the POP Regulation stipulates that
the use of articles already in use in the Union before 25 August 2010
containing hexabromodiphenyl ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether,
tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether as a constituent of such
articles shall be allowed.
Analysis:
Legal measures on production, placing on the market and use of hexabromo­diphenyl
ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and
pentabromodiphenyl ether are comprehensive and there is no need for further
legislative measures at Union or Member State level.
Border and
market surveillance by the Member States is a necessity. Cases of
non-compliance need to be reported to the Commission.
In particular
PBDEs will continue to challenge the waste management sector due to the long
life-span of the major product groups (e.g. vehicles, electronics), containing
them and the existence of recycling schemes for these waste streams (cf.
sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3).
As stated in
sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3, the major remaining PBDE input into the economic
goods cycle is via the use in products and their further input into recycling,
stockpiles and the waste stream. The Commission is preparing a legislative
proposal to set low and maximum PBDE concentration limits in the Annexes IV and
V of the POP Regulation(cf. section 3.2.9). However, further efforts are needed
at Member States level in order to ensure a reduction of PBDE input to
recycling operations and with regard to exports and appropriate management and
treatment of the waste stream.
A strategy and
methodology needs to be developed for the identification of articles in use, in
the recycling, in stockpiles and wastes that contain PBDEs. For these
activities also the recommen­dations of the COP5 should be considered. 
The
Stockholm Convention has not yet set a low POPs limit and this will be done in
cooperation with the Basel Convention. The establishment of European limits and
related regulation could  provide  valuable input to these processes. 
The POPs in waste
report prepared for the Commission (ESWI 2011) as well as the consultancy for
the POPs Reviewing Committee (UNEP 2010 a,b)[160] revealed
that PBDEs are still contained in articles in use and in some material flows at
the end of life in the EU. 
C-PentaBDE (TetraBDE and PentaBDE) uses
A main material
flow is cars and other transport vehicles produced from the 1970s to 2000 (and
some possibly up to 2004). They are partly used and sold within the EU and
partly exported to other regions. There is no database on producer and year of
cars/transport vehicles containing PBDE and also no monitoring activity or
scheme for this. Only limited information is available from the (former)
producers of cars. Such information would be a good base in which to better
understand the situation on use and reuse of these cars/transport vehicles and
the export of vehicles containing PBDEs. Some Member States are doing
screenings of end of life vehicles to generate necessary data, however, it
would be useful to have data from several Member States to have a more
comprehensive and representative overview.
 Action 1: Commission to collect available data on presence of PBDEs in vehicles and facilitate exchange of information among the Member States 
C-OctaBDE (HexaBDE and HeptaBDE). 
The main
remaining C-OctaBDE in articles in use, export and recycling is the use as
flame retardant in plastic in electronics. 
PBDE/BFR-containing
plastic (mainly) from WEEE is often recycled to other plastic materials by
blending them with virgin polymer materials. Due to the mix of polymer types
the WEEE plastic is typically down-cycled to products in applications with less
material demanding properties. Screening of plastic products has revealed that
even sensitive uses like children toys (Chen 2009)105
along with household goods (Chen 2010)106 and
video tapes (Hirai 2007)[161]
are contaminated with PBDE and other BFRs. There is little information on how
the flow of plastics recovered from WEEE and containing PBDE is controlled in
recycling operations.
In the
assessment of the POP Reviewing Committee only a few full scale e-waste
recycling facilities were separating PBDE containing plastic (UNEP 2011a,b)[162].
One facility in Switzerland had an automatic separation step for WEEE plastic
containing BFRs (halogens). Information is available from Sweden on the separation of BFR-containing plastics from WEEE plastics.[163]

It would appear
that not all European WEEE recycling plans have bought appropriate equipment to
identify and separate PBDE (BFR) containing plastic from other plastic. It is
also not known how much of the plastic generated at such plants are exported
outside the EU for further recycling. 
 Action 2: Commission to gather available information on the separation of PBDE-containing materials in the recycling flow of WEEE in the EU and depending on the outcome consider further actions. 
 Action 3: Commission to gather validated measurement methods to control the export of waste plastic containing PBDE in particular electronic waste in the Member States, depending on the outcome and the quality of information take further actions 
4.1.4.          
DDT
Obligation: Article
3, paragraph 1(b) and Annex B, Part II of the Convention: restrict the
production and/or use of DDT, in accordance with the provisions of Annex B,
Part II. The use of DDT as disease vector control is allowed as acceptable
purpose.
Implementation
so far:
Production, placing on the market and use of DDT as such, in preparations or in
articles is totally prohibited by Regulation (EC) No 850/2004. No exemption is
granted by the Regulation.
On the basis of
note (iii) of Annex B, Part I, of the Stockholm Convention, the POP Regulation
initially granted an exemption for Spain to continue the existing manufacture
of dicofol using DDT as site-limited, closed-system intermediate until 2014.
The exemption of use of DDT in dicofol production was withdrawn from the POP
Regulation in 2010. The Commission decided on the non-inclusion of dicofol in
Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC and on the withdrawal of authorisations
for plant protection products containing that substance (2008/764/EC)[164]
in 2008. According to the Commission Decision, all existing authorizations for
dicofol in plant protection products had to be withdrawn before 30 March 2009.
National registration of dicofol was not possible after March 2009. Any
transition period granted by Member States should end by 30 March 2010 at the
latest (cf. section 3.1.1).
Analysis:
Legal measures are considered comprehensive. There is no need for further
legislative measures at Union or Member State level as the Regulation is
directly applicable in all EU Member States.
4.1.5.          
Perfluorooctane
sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride
(PFOS)
Obligation: Article
3, paragraph 1(b) and Annex B, Part III of the Convention: restrict the
production and/or use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and
perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride, in accordance with the provisions of Annex
B, Part III. For registered parties, numerous acceptable purposes and specific
exemptions are granted for the production and/or use.
Article 3,
paragraph 6: take appropriate measures to ensure that any production or use
under a specific exemption in accordance with Annex A or a specific exemption
or an acceptable purpose in accordance with Annex B is carried out in a manner
that prevents or minimizes human exposure and release into the environment. For
exempted uses or acceptable purposes that involve intentional release into the
environment under conditions of normal use, such release shall be to the
minimum extent necessary, taking into account any applicable standards and
guidelines.
Implementation
so far:
Production, placing on the market and use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its
salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride as such, in preparations or in
articles is severely restricted by the Regulation (EC) No 850/2004. On the
basis of acceptable purposes and specific and general exemptions granted by the
Convention, the Regulation provides for the following exemptions:
·        
placing
on the market and use is allowed in concentrations of PFOS equal to or below 10
mg/kg (0,001 % by weight) when it occurs in substances or in preparations; 
·        
concentrations
of PFOS in semi-finished products or articles, or parts thereof is allowed, if
the concentration of PFOS is lower than 0,1 % by weight calculated with
reference to the mass of structurally or micro-structurally distinct parts that
contain PFOS or, for textiles or other coated materials, if the amount of PFOS
is lower than 1 μg/m2 of the coated material;
·        
use
of articles already in use in the Union before 25 August 2010 containing PFOS
as a constituent of such articles is allowed;
·        
if
the quantity released into the environment is minimised, production and placing
on the market is allowed for the following specific uses provided that Member
States report to the Commission every four years on progress made to eliminate
PFOS:
·        
until
26 August 2015, wetting agents for use in controlled electroplating systems
·        
photoresists
or anti reflective coatings for photolithography processes;
·        
photographic
coatings applied to films, papers, or printing plates;
·        
mist
suppressants for non-decorative hard chromium (VI) plating in closed loop systems;
·        
hydraulic
fluids for aviation;
Concerning
fire-fighting foams that were placed on the market before 27 December 2006 they
may be used only until 27 June 2011. Some stocks remain in the EU but are in
the process of disposal (cf. section 3.2.4)
Annex I, Part A
of the Regulation also provides that as soon as new information on details of
uses and safer alternative substances or technologies for the specific uses
becomes available, the Commission shall review the derogations in the second
subparagraph so that:
·        
the
uses of PFOS will be phased out as soon as the use of safer alternatives is
technically and economically feasible,
·        
a
derogation can only be continued for essential uses for which safer
alternatives do not exist and where the efforts undertaken to find safer
alternatives have been reported on,
·        
releases
of PFOS into the environment have been minimised by applying best available
techniques.
There is no
production of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane
sulfonyl fluoride in the EU. However, the substance is still placed on the
market and used for allowed applications as listed above (cf. section 3.2.4). 
Analysis 
Challenges in
substitution remains for PFOS application for which exemptions were granted in
the POP Regulation. Support of the development and phasing in of alternatives
is therefore desirable. 
The use of PFOS
in the metal plating industry is the main remaining source for PFOS releases
from an intended purpose. Alternatives and substitutes have already been
investigated for this use but there is a lack of practical implementation (cf.
section 3.2.4). With a view to phase-out the use of PFOS in this area within
the EU, support of practical implementation projects to help mostly concerned
SMEs in phasing in alternative processes to PFOS might be desirable. 
The collection
of information for BAT/BEP for PFOS use in industrial processes under the
Convention has just been initiated. It is desirable that Member States gather
information and document BAT/BEP for the listed exemptions and forward the
information to the Stockholm Convention Secretariat for consideration in the
Stockholm Convention process. 
The Stockholm
Convention has a dedicated process for collecting information on PFOS
alternatives and the first report has been developed for the POPs Reviewing
Committee[165].
An important complementary process would be an in depth assessment of these
alternatives for an optimized choice of alternatives taking into account risk
for human health and ecotoxicity criteria. Within REACH a wide range of
information will be generated for chemicals also including a range of PFOS
substitutes.
 Action 4: Commission to compile information on PFOS alternatives from the REACH process and feed this information into the Stockholm Convention process on alternatives to PFOS to guide the selection process of PFOS alternatives for the different application areas. 
PFOS is present
in broad range of articles at relatively low concentrations. Measurement of
concentration of PFOS and its precursors in articles at low levels is the major
challenge of compliance and border controls. The Commission has mandated the
work of European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to develop a standard
analytical method for determina­tion of PFOS in articles. Technical specification
CEN/TS 15968 titled 'Determination of extractable PFOS in coated and
impregnated solid articles, liquids and fire-fighting foams – Method for
sampling, extraction and analysis by LC-qMS or LC-tandem/MS' was adopted by the
CEN in 2010. In order to develop a fully standardized method, there is a need
to perform a validation of the measurement method described in the technical
specification. 
 Action 5: Commission to support the validation of a CEN standard on measurement of PFOS in coated and impregnated solid articles, liquids and fire-fighting foams. 
For PFOS no
exemptions for recycling of PFOS containing articles have been granted.
Therefore recycling of PFOS containing materials is not allowed. Commission
contracted a study (ESWI 2011) to gather information on the status of recycling
flows possibly including PFOS containing materials. The study showed that
recycling activities of some potentially PFOS containing materials are taking
place but the concentration of PFOS is low. Probably the most relevant
recycling activity in this respect is the recycling of synthetic carpets
potentially contaminated with PFOS or PFOS precursors[166].
Other materials potentially contaminated with PFOS or PFOS precursors are e.g.
textiles, paper or aviation fluid. 
4.2.                
Elimination
of import and export of POPs (Article 3(2))
Obligation: Article
3, paragraph 1(a)(ii) of the Convention: prohibit and / or take legal or
administrative measures necessary to eliminate the import and export of the
chemicals listed in Annex A. Article 3, paragraph 2 of the Convention: take
measures regarding the import and export of chemicals in Annex A or Annex B.
Implementation
so far:
Import is regarded as placing on the market in the EU and thus import of
all Annex A and B chemicals is prohibited by Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 except
for the following exemptions:
·        
A
substance used for laboratory-scale research or as a reference standard;
·        
A
substance occurring as an unintentional trace contaminant in substances,
preparations or articles;
·        
A
substance as such or as part of articles for the purpose of environmentally
sound disposal;
·        
A
substance as such or as part of articles for a use or purpose which is
permitted by the Regulation (EC) No 850/2004, i.e. PFOS for exempted uses.
Export of
all Annex A and B chemicals except for PFOS and Endosulfan (cf. section 0) is
explicitly prohibited by Regulation (EU) No 649/2012, except for chemicals in
quantities not likely to affect health or the environment, and in any event not
more than 10 kg, provided that they are imported or exported for the purpose of
research or analysis. The export of PFOS and Endosulfan is currently possible,
but only on condition that the importing country consents to the import of the
chemicals under the framework of the Rotterdam Convention. 
Analysis: The
existing legal measures on import and export cover the obligations laid down in
the Stockholm Convention. The above mentioned regulations are directly
applicable legislation in all EU-Member States. 
To enforce the
legislation, effective border control by Member States is a necessity. This may
benefit from individual tariff codes for the listed POP chemicals.
 Action 6: Commission to investigate the possibility to initiate international work on development of individual tariff codes for POP substance[167]. 
In 2011
Endosulfan was added to the Annex A of the Convention and the legal act
implementing total ban of its production, placing on the market and use came
into force in July 2012. The ban on the export of endosulfan under Regulation
(EU) 649/2012 was introduced on 25th of January[168]
2013 and applies from 1 April 2013. 
4.3.                
        Prevention
of the production and use of new chemicals exhibiting characteristics of   POPs
(Article 3(3))
Obligation: Article
3(3): Take measures to regulate with the aim of preventing the production and
use of new chemicals and pesticides which, taking into consideration criteria
in paragraph 1 of Annex D of the Stockholm Convention, exhibit the
characteristics of persistent organic pollutants.
Implementation
so far:
Article 3(3) of Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 repeats the provision of the
Stockholm Convention but the practical implementation is left to be done in the
framework of the existing Union regulatory and assessment schemes for
chemicals, plant protection products and biocides. The REACH Regulation
(1907/2006/EC; EU regulatory framework for chemicals) (cf. section 0),
Regulation 1107/2009 (plant protection products) (cf. section 0) and Regulation
528/2012 (biocidal products) (cf. section 0) are in this regard of particular
importance.
Analysis:
Production and placing on the market of POP like substances can in principle be
effectively prevented within the existing regulatory frameworks for chemicals
(cf. section 0). Although there are tonnage triggers for registration below
which the data submitted to the authorities will not necessarily be sufficient
for POP assessment in the framework of the REACH Regulation, it addresses
specifically substances of very high concern with PBT criteria through its
system of authorisation that does not have any tonnage trigger. Furthermore,
the European Chemicals Agency has a right to request further information from
companies if it suspects that a substance might exhibit POP characteristics
(cf. section 0).
Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009[169]
concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (PPP
Regulation) prevents chemicals exhibiting POP characteristics from being used
in plant protection products. This is achieved by the provisions according to
which an active substance, safener or synergist shall only be approved for use
in plant protection products where it is not considered to be  a POP or if it
is not considered to be a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substance
or a very persistent and very bioaccumalative substance (vPvB). In addition, a
substance shall be approved as a candidate for substitution if it meets two of
the PBT criteria.
Regulation (EC)
No 528/2012[170]
concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products
prevents chemicals exhibiting POP characteristics from being used in biocidal
products. This is achieved by the provisions according to which an active
substance cannot be authorised if it meets the criteria for being persistent,
bioacumulative and toxic or very persistent and very bioacumulative according
to Annex XIII to REACH Regulation. In addition, a substance
shall be approved as a candidate for substitution if it meets two of the PBT
criteria.
Proper
enforcement of the obligation will require concerted action by the industry,
rapporteur Member States, other Member States, the Commission and the European
regulatory Agencies involved in the risk assessment of chemicals.
 Action 7: Commission and Member States to ensure that the POP assessment is properly incorporated in the assessment of chemicals subject to different legislative provisions within the EU (in general as continuous task). 
4.4.                
     Assessing
and controlling chemicals in use (Article 3(4))
Obligation:
Article
3(4): Take into consideration within assessment schemes for pesticides and
chemicals in use, the criteria in paragraph 1 of Annex D when conducting
assessments of pesticides and chemicals.
Implementation
so far:
Article 3(3) of Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 not only repeats but strengthens
the provision of the Stockholm Convention: It requires the Commission and the Member States to take “appropriate control measures” on existing chemicals and pesticides
exhibiting POP characteristics. As in the case of new chemicals (see 0), the
practical implementation is left to be done in the framework of the existing
Union regulatory and assessment schemes for industrial chemicals, plant
protection products and biocides.
Analysis:
From the Stockholm Convention’s legal implementation point of view, the
legislative measures taken by the Union can be regarded as fully sufficient. 
The distinction
of new and existing substances is not anymore regarded as fully justified
within the Union. This change is reflected in the REACH Regulation and will be
reflected also in the regulatory frameworks set up for plant protection
products and biocides when the extensive review programmes on the existing
active substances have been accomplished.
4.5.                
       General
exemptions
Obligation: Article
3(5): Not to apply prohibitions and restrictions to quantities of a chemical to
be used for laboratory-scale research or as a reference standard. Notes
(i)-(ii) of Annexes A and B: Quantities of a chemical occurring as
unintentional trace contaminant in products and articles or occurring as
constituents of articles manufactured or already in use before or on the date
of entry into force of the relevant obligation are exempted from the
prohibitions / restrictions.
Implementation
so far:
Article 4(1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 lay down the general
exemptions. Member States are obliged to notify all articles containing any of
the listed substances as constituents to the Commission, who in turn will
notify the Secretariat in line with note (ii) of Annexes A and B. So far no
such articles have been identified by the Member States.
The term of
“unintentional trace contaminants” as mentioned in the Convention’s Annex A
note (i) and Annex B note (i) is a challenge for the enforcement, particlularly
if  a chemical is used in articles. Therefore other environmental and chemical
legislation in the EU does not use such term but they rather refers to concrete
maximum concentration values (e.g. the RoHS Directive). The aim of these fixed
thresholds is to facilitate uniform enforcement and control and provides legal
certainty to economic operators. Therefore, the POP Regulation for the newly
listed POPs with use in articles will contain fixed concentration values below
which substance is considered to be an "unintentional trace
contaminant" (see sections 0 and 3.2.9).
Analysis: The
legal actions are sufficient and no further legal measures are needed. Border
and market surveillance by the Member States is necessary and cases of
non-compliance need to be reported to the Commission.
4.6.                
       Reduction
of total releases from unintentional production (Article 5)
Obligation: Article
5: To reduce the total releases of the chemicals listed in Annex C (PCDDs,
PCDFs, PCBs, HCB and PeCB) with the goal of continuing their minimisation and,
where feasible, achieving their elimination; To develop an action plan to
identify, characterise and address the releases of by-product POPs; To promote
the application of available, feasible and practical measures to achieve a
reasonable level of release reduction or source elimination and to promote the
development and require the use of materials, products and processes to prevent
the formation and release of chemicals listed in Annex C; To promote and
require the use of best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental
practices (BEP) to prevent the release of chemicals listed in Annex C for new
sources in main source categories; To promote the use of BAT and BEP for
existing sources from the main source categories as well as other categories.
Implementation
so far:
Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 on POPs addresses substances for which
releases should be reduced and minimised, with a view to eliminate them if
feasible. The six substances or groups of substances concerned are PCDDs,
PCDFs, PCBs, HCB, PeCB and PAHs, as listed in Annex III of the Regulation. Of
these, all with the exemption of PAHs are listed in the Stockholm Convention
and are therefore the main focus for the present implementation plan.
According to
Article 6 of the POP Regulation, Member States shall draw up and maintain
release inventories for the substances listed in Annex III into air, water and
land in accordance with their obligations under the Convention and the
Protocol. Member States were obliged to do so by 20 May 2006 for PCDDs, PCDFs,
PCBs, and HCB and by 26 August 2012 for PeCB which was listed in 2010. 
Article 5 of the
POP Regulation further stipulates that Member States shall develop an action
plan on measures to identify, characterise and minimise the releases of
unintentionally produced POPs. The action plan shall include measures to
promote the development and, where it deems appropriate, shall require the use
of substitute or modified materials, products and processes to prevent the
formation and release of the substances listed in Annex III.
Member States
shall furthermore, when considering proposals to construct new facilities or
significantly to modify existing facilities using processes that release
chemicals listed in Annex III of the Regulation, without prejudice to Directive
2010/75/EU (IED Directive), give priority consideration to alternative
processes, techniques or practices that have similar usefulness but which avoid
the formation and release of substances listed in Annex III.
Over the past
twenty years, important legislation has been adopted to reduce the emissions of
PCDD/F, in particular in the areas of waste incineration and integrated
pollution prevention and control, resulting in decreasing levels in the
environment and in the human population (see section 3.3.2).
Inclusion of all
five substances in the Water Framework Directive has further contributed to the
reduction of emissions of these substances into aquatic environment, as Member
States have an obligation to ensure that concentrations of these substances in
the environment is below the environmental quality standard level. 
The
implementation of the BAT conclusions adopted under the IED which establish
Emission Levels Associated with the Best Available Techniques (BAT-AELs) will
be another step to further reduce releases of PCDD/F and other unintentionally
produced POPs from industrial activities. 
The Union
Strategy for Dioxins, Furans and Polychlorinated Biphenyls adopted in 2001 (COM
(2001) 593)41 had
the goal to assess the current state of the environment and the ecosystem, to
reduce exposure from dioxins and PCBs to humans and the environment. In October
2010 the Commission adopted the third progress report on the Dioxin strategy
(COM (2010) 562 final)43 for
the period 2007 to 2009. The report showed that over the last two decades 80%
reduction of industrial emissions of PCDD/Fs and PCBs was achieved. 
Since most
measures reducing PCDD/F releases also reduces the formation and release of
unintentionally produced PeCB, HCB, PAH and PCB, it can be assumed that the
above mentioned reduction of PCDD/F already had a similar effect for these
other UPOPs.
Further progress
is expected within the framework of the European Union Implementation Plan on
Persistent Organic Pollutants and the relevant National Action Plans (NAPs)
elaborated by Member States..
Analysis: In
section 3.3 of Part I, it is described that in the EU the release from POPs due
to unintentional production remains one of the most important issues to be
tackled. Several actions are thus dedicated to the development of corresponding
measures with the goal to reach a further reduction of POP emissions. 
As the
production of unintentional POPs is largely related to industrial processes
such as production of iron and steel (sinter plants, electric arc furnaces),
the production of non-ferrous metals, the incineration of waste etc, the
legislation dealing with industrial emissions is the main instrument to tackle
releases of unintentionally produced POPs. Recently, the IPPC Directive has
been replaced by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) that came into effect
in January 2013. Further improvement of the situation is expected with the IED,
because the BAT Associated Emission Levels (BAT-AELs) as listed in the BAT
conclusions are to be used directly when issuing permits for industrial
installations. 
As the IED has a
much wider scope than just reduction of POP emissions, it is important that
POP-related expertise is present in the discussion related to its
implementation. This applies particularly for the review of the relevant BREFs
(especially those on “Non-Ferrous Metal Industries”, “Large Combustion Plants”,
"Ferrous Metals Processing", "Waste Incineration",
"Waste Treatment") , where involvement of POP-experts must be
encouraged to make sure that the prevention of the formation as well as the
control of POP releases is taken adequately into consideration with a veiw of
developing BAT conclusions (including BAT-AELs where possible)  concerning
emissions of unintentionally produced POPs.
 Action 8: “Commission and Member States to ensure that BAT conclusions under the IED and related implementation measures consider the reduction of emissions of unintentionally produced POPs, including their potential transfer to other media and their presence in waste” 
For solid
materials residues (fly ashes) and articles other than food and feed no PCDD/F
regulation exists and the only relevant limit is the low POPs content of 15 ng
TEQ/g as low POPs content. This value is high and there is a considerable
debate on this provisional Basel Convention low POPs limit. For fly ashes in Japan e.g. a limit of 3 ng TEQ/g exist and in the incineration BREF fly ash values from
German incinerators below 0.5 ng TEQ/g are mentioned
 Action 9: To assess levels of PCDD/PCDFs in critical solid residues (fly ashes) and articles and take action to possibly develop BAT and maximum concentrations in this respect 
In addition to
emissions from the large industrial installations also small scale incinerators
and diffuse sources are contributing to the release of PCDD/PCDF and other
UPOPs. 
One activity
which can contribute to reduction of UPOPs in this sector is the minimum
eco-design requirements for solid fuel small combustion installations. Even
though preparatory work is underway concerning this action it is being renewed
here as the inclusion of POP-related aspects (especially the generation of
unintentionally produced POPs) should be a main focus of the still to be developed
implementing measure (cf. section 3.3.3).
 Action 10: Commission to table an implementing measure to set out minimum eco-design requirements for solid fuel small combustion installations. 
4.6.1. Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB)
PeCB has been
newly listed in the Stockholm Convention Annexes C and A without exemptions. In
the EU PeCB is not intentionally produced it is only addressed in the section
of UPOPs . 
According to the
results of the EU PRTR (2009 data) PeCB remains unintentionally produced in the
EU due to releases largely from the metal industry and minor impact from power
production from coals. Emissions from domestic sources are only partially
addressed by measures. According to PRTR (2009) by far the largest PeCB release
to water (640 kg) is reported from a French chemical company producing basic
organic chemicals ((see section 3.2.5 above). In such cases, an integrated view
is required looking at all emissions of halogenated compounds and other
pollutants to understand the individual situation. It would be beneficial if
the company or respective Member State assesses what BAT measures for reduction
of this key PeCB emission source could be used. 
The two metal
facilities with PeCB release to the air reported 107 kg and 240 kg respectively
(PRTR 2009). This suggest that all other similar facilities also can be
expected to have releases of PeCB (and probably HCB[171])
considerably above 1 kg/year which would mean that most probably for similar
facilities PeCB should have been reported in the PRTR. One reason for these
inconsistencies and missing data could possibly be the lack of measurements of
PeCB and HCB in IPPC facilities as there are no legal requirements for PeCB and
HCB measurements.
Production of
chlorinated organics and their deposits from historic production were described
in a recent POP Reviewing Committee Report (UNEP 2010c)[172]
as probably the largest global source of PeCB . Therefore it seems necessary to
increase understanding of PeCB emissios among the chemical industries and
improve the PRTR database of PeCB releases. 
Up to now
measures to reduce unintentionally produced POPs largely focused on PCDD/PCDF.
While the reduction of formation of PCDD/PCDF (primary measure) will at the
same time also reduce PeCB (and other new POPs) secondary measures like
adsorption technologies might have to be adjusted to also address the more
volatile PeCB. 
 Action 11: The Commission to work with Member States to examine how the characterisation of PeCB releases can be improved, and to identify whether BAT/BEP could be appropriately updated to further decrease PeCB releases. 
4.7.                
     Identification
and environmentally sound management of stockpiles and wastes
Obligations:
Article 6: To develop appropriate strategies for identifying stockpiles,
products and articles containing, consisting of or contaminated with chemicals
listed in Annexes A, B or C; manage stockpiles in a safe, efficient and
environmentally sound manner; implement measures to reduce or eliminate
releases from stockpiles and wastes containing chemicals listed in Annexes A, B
or C in a manner that protects human health and the environment; take
appropriate measures to ensure that waste products and Articles containing
chemicals listed in Annexes A, B or C are handled in an environmentally
friendly manner; dispose waste products and articles containing chemicals
listed in Annexes A, B or C in a way that destroys the POPs content, taking
into consideration the Technical guidelines for the environmentally sound
management of persistent organic pollutant wastes developed under the Basel
Convention. 
Implementation
so far:
The Waste Framework Directive 2006/12/EC and the Hazardous Waste Directive
91/689/EEC (both Directives are repealed by Directive 2008/98/EC), set a number
of provisions that ensure wastes including stockpiles are handled in an
environmentally sound manner (see Annex I). Amongst others, this includes waste
prevention promotion, classification rules for hazardous waste, the obligation
to collect waste and to package and label it appropriately, to elaborate waste
management plans, to permit waste disposal and recovery installations and the
prohibition to dispose of waste in an uncontrolled manner.
Article 5 of the
Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 requires stockpiles to be managed as waste. The holder
of stockpiles greater than 50 kg, consisting of or containing any POP and the
use of which is permitted shall provide the competent authority with
information concerning the nature and size thereof. The stockpile shall be
managed in a safe, efficient and environmentally sound manner. Member States
must monitor the use and management of notified stockpiles.
Article 7 of the
Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 sets that producers and holders of waste are
obliged to undertake all reasonable efforts to avoid contamination of waste
with POP substances. Waste consisting of, containing or contaminated by POPs
shall be disposed of without undue delay. Waste with POPs content higher than
the lower POP limits set in the Regulation must generally be disposed or
recovered in such a way that the POP content is destroyed or irreversibly
transformed. Also those wastes, which are managed in an environmentally
preferable way instead of being destroyed or irreversibly transformed have to
meet the upper POP concentration limits set by the Regulation[173].
Analysis: The
existing legal framework basically ensures the environmentally sound management
of stockpiles and waste consisting of contaminated or containing POPs. Some
actions should be envisaged as follow-up or complementation of the tasks to be
addressed by the Basel Convention (see following subchapter).
With regard to
obsolete pesticides the Commission Study (BiPRO 2005)[174]
estimated that there are stocks containing 5.370 tonnes in the EU, mainly in
the new Member States joined in 2004. Information about Romania and Bulgaria is not available. 
In addition the
last ECIP estimated 500000 t of deposited HCH waste which at that time were not
POPs waste. With inclusion of alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH these deposited
wastes can largely be considered the POPs waste since the other isomer
contribute only a minor share of HCH waste isomers (IHPA 2006 a,b, Vijgen et
al. 2011). An updated assessment revealed that deposited HCH wastes within the
EU might amount up to 1.8 to 3 million tonnes considering a lindane production
volume of 300000 t (Vijgen et al. 2011).
Further
locations and quantities of POPs Pesticides may be still found in the course of
the elaboration of the National Implementation Plans and hazardous waste
management plans.
The issue should
be primarily dealt with on a Member State level. The costs should be borne by
the "polluter-pays" principles as laid down in the Waste Framework
Directive.
Beyond that
European Union's funds are eligible for the disposal of the stockpiled obsolete
pesticides.
Other new POPs
in products in use, in the waste flow and in disposal schemes are PBDEs and
PFOS. Since they are mostly included in articles (see chapter 3.2) but also in
matrices like sewage sludge the assessment of their disposal is more complex.
4.7.1.          
Disposal
and destruction of PBDE containing materials
The “Technical
Review of the Implications of Recycling Commercial Pentabromodiphenyl Ether and
Commercial Octabromodiphenyl Ether” (UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/2 and related Annexes
UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/INF/6) from the POP Reviewing Committee (UNEP 2010a,b)[175]
emphasized that most recovery and destruction technologies where PBDE
containing materials are treated have not been assessed for their
appropriateness (destruction efficiency and releases).
The
COP5 recommendations in this respect were: 
·        
To
generate and collect information on releases of brominated diphenyl ethers and
unintentionally produced brominated organic compounds such as polybrominated
dibenzodioxins and polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDD/PBDF) in emissions to air
and in the solid residues from thermal processes used in treating materials
contaminated with brominated diphenyl ethers.
·        
To
identify disposal options that would comply with the Stockholm Convention
guidelines to be developed for the destruction of wastes containing brominated
diphenyl ethers. These may include best available technique incinerators with
effective primary and secondary combustion zones that operate under best
environmental practice conditions with continuous monitoring and sampling to
ensure that brominated diphenyl ethers and/or PBDD/PBDF are not released.
·        
To
undertake further assessment and produce best available technique and best
environmental practice guidance. These tasks should be undertaken by the
Stockholm Convention’s expert bodies and include consideration of
polybrominated diphenyl ethers and PBDD/PBDF releases from smelters and other
thermal recovery technologies, including secondary metal industries, cement
kilns and feedstock recycling technologies.
·        
To
improve and extend as necessary disposal options to ensure compliance with
Stockholm Convention obligations and guidelines, taking into account the
relevant decisions of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the
updating of the Basel Convention technical guidelines on the environmentally
sound management of persistent organic pollutants.
·        
To
collect information relevant to the establishment of best available techniques
and best environmental practices for treatment and disposal techniques for
materials containing brominated diphenyl ethers.
As described in
chapter, the largest part of PBDE containing materials has been disposed off.
Depending on the quality of the landfills and the leachate controls POPs could
be released from such deposits and contaminated the environment (Weber et al.
2011)[176].

The COP5 also
discourage the landfilling of PBDE containing waste and recommends in this
respect
·        
Reducing
releases of polybrominated diphenyl ethers from landfills by avoiding the
landfilling of waste containing them. Significant reductions can be made by
restricting the landfill disposal of waste streams with high concentrations of
brominated diphenyl ethers. A “proper management to isolate the landfill
contents” permanently from the environment cannot be achieved. Therefore
maximum concentration limits for (above-ground) landfills for hazardous waste
pursuant to Annex V of the POP Regulation should be set..
·        
Assessing
further the long-term chemistry of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in landfill
sites and the fate and risk of polybrominated diphenyl ether release from
landfills into the environment.
·        
Providing
guidance for MS on how to focus efforts on products/materials with the highest
concentrations of PBDEs and PFOS. The guidance could also include techniques
for identification and separation of materials and products with high POPs
concentrations. 
 Action 12: The Commission shall set concentration limits for PBDEs in the POP Regulation so as to ensure an environmentally sound disposal of these wastes. 
Another part of
PBDE containing materials is thermally treated at the end of life. A share of
waste ends up in dedicated waste incinerators while several PBDE containing
materials are treated at in metal industries and possibly co-incinerated in
cement kilns. The report for the POP reviewing committee has summarized the
following point: 
·        
Most
metallurgical processes fall into the category of end-of-life treatments rather
than recovery operations in relation to treatment of PBDE. Whilst metals are
recovered for recycling the polymer to which the PBDE had been added is not
recovered. Instead it is used for the recovery of energy. Alternatively it may
have been introduced to the process incidentally due to a failure to separate
PBDE-containing materials from the metals being recovered. An example would be
where scrap cars were compacted for recovery in secondary steel industry
without first removing all the PBDE-containing polymers). The presence, and
recovery, of the metal in these cases is due to the mixing processes, usually
shredding or compacting, used in disassembly rather than to any specific use of
PDE in metal components. This allocation is slightly more ambiguous when
considering material and energy recovery in smelters used for tens of thousands
of tonnes of PWB, some containing PentaBDE in the resin, as BFR containing
plastic is often added to the process.
Options for
energy recovery of plastics containing PBDE (or just the recovery of metals
incidentally mixed with BDE-containing plastics) include:
a)      Electric
arc furnaces for iron scrap recycling (entering e.g. with car scrap)) 
b)      Secondary
aluminium (entering e.g. with electronic waste parts)  
c)      Antimony
recovery from PBDE/BFR plastics containing antimony 
d)     Energy
recovery from PBDE/BFR containing high calorific waste in cement kilns
e)      Energy
recovery and, in theory at least, bromine recovery from PBDE/BFR containing
materials in incinerators
As highlighted
by the POP Reviewing Committee report these facilities with the exemption of
BAT incinerator have not been assessed for their appropriateness (destruction
efficiency) of processing PBDE containing materials. The POP Reviewing
Committee report further highlights that in these applications PBDD/PBDF and
PXDD/PXDFF are likely to be formed and should be considered for the assessment
of these facilities (UNEP 2011a,b)175.
 Action 13: The Commission and Member States as part of the regular review process of BREFs to evaluate how PBDE containing materials are dealt with within IED activities and to identify whether BAT/BEP could be included / updated to prevent, and where that is not possible to minimise emissions of brominated and brominated-chlorinated dioxins. 
4.7.2.          
Disposal
and destruction of PFOS and PFOS precursor containing materials  
Disposal
of PFOS containing materials:
In respect to
end of life of PFOS containing articles the COP5 recommends 
·        
No
landfilling of these wastes should be permitted, unless leachate containing
PFOS is properly treated. 
·        
Resulting
sludge, adsorbents and wastes containing PFOS should be destroyed and not
deposited.
In the past much
of PFOS containing materials (e.g. carpets and furniture) have been deposited.
Considering the water solubility of PFOS and that the lifetime of PFOS is
longer than securing measures of landfills (in the time frame of a few decades
up to possibly a century), all PFOS and PFC will be released over time even
from BAT landfills (Weber et al. 2011). Therefore there is no justification to
deposit PFOS containing materials considering the burden such practice would
bring to future generations. 
 Action 14: The Commission shall set concentration limits for PFOS in the POP Regulation so as to ensure an environmentally sound disposal of these wastes. 
Destruction
of PFOS containing materials:
The basis for
the COP5 recommendations in respect to management of PFOS containing residues
is 
·        
To
use best available technique and best environmental practice destruction
technologies for wastes containing PFOS in current production and industrial uses
of PFOS. 
Since the C-F
bond is more stable compared to other carbon-halogen bond, the destruction of
PFOS and other PFCs require appropriate destruction technologies like BAT
hazardous waste incinerators (operated normally at 1100°C). PFOS containing
materials like carpets or coated paper end up to a considerable share in
municipal waste incinerators (operated at 850ºC). Further PFOS containing
sewage sludge end up partly in sewage sludge incinerators often operated at
lower temperature compared to municipal waste incinerators. Full scale tests
with assessment of destruction efficiency and degradation products have not
been published for municipal waste incinerators and sewage sludge incinerators.

It
is advisable that Member States share information among themselves and with the
Stockholm Convention Secretariat on their experiences with PFOS destruction
projects and appropriate destruction technologies . 
4.7.3.          
Disposal
and destruction of POPs Pesticides
Data reported by
Member States has shown that there are still a number of existing stockpiles of
POP pesticide and POP-containing wastes. The inclusion of HCH into the
Convention leads to the necessity of assessment and possibly remediation of HCH
waste deposits. Some of such deposits have been cleaned or secured in the past.
This is primarily for the action at the Member States level.
4.7.4.          
Destruction
of PCB and PCB containing materials
Several European
countries are importing PCB and other POPs containing wastes for destruction.
It has been revealed that the activity of a major importer of PCB waste to
Germany (ENVIO) led to the contamination of workers and resulted in the
contamination of storage sites and the area where the PCB transformers were
treated. It is advisable that Member States share their experience and lessons
learned from such cases. 
PCB destruction
of open applications: As mentioned above, PCBs have been used in anti-corrosion
paints (e.g. bridges and other constructions, electric poles, large water
pipes) in the 1950s to the early 1970s. Some of these equipments come to end of
life stage and need to be treated. The large metal parts are normally recycled
in electric arc furnaces (EAF) and possibly other secondary metal processing
plants. Since the combustion processes in these batch type operations can be
considered incomplete, most probably a considerable share of these PCBs are
evaporated and not destroyed. This is supported by the relatively high
emissions of PCB reported from EAF. Furthermore the conditions in such
facilities are favourable to form PCDF with associated increase of toxicity,
Currently there is no assessment how much PCB painted scrap are entering the
end of life and enter secondary metal treatment. Also no dedicated tests have
been published on releases associated with such practice. However it is known
from measurements in EAF that considerable PCB loads are emitted which only can
be explained by PCB input by treated material and cannot be explained by
unintentionally formation of PCB in this processes[177].

Another open
application are sealants containing PCB in buildings from the 1960th
and 1970th. A share of these buildings is renovated in the frame of
insulation measures while another share is torn down. 
It is advisable
that Member States share their findings on the PCB contaminated construction
materials and paints and share their experiences in handling such waste. 
4.8.                
    Identification
of contaminated sites (Annex A, B and C Chemicals) and if  addressed then
remediation in an environmentally sound manner
Obligations: Article
6 1 (e) emphasize that parties “Endeavour to develop appropriate strategies for
identifying sites contaminated by chemicals listed in Annex A, B or C; if
remediation of those sites is undertaken it shall be performed in an
environmentally sound manner” 
Implementation
so far:
As regards the identification and remediation of sites contaminated by
chemicals in Annexes A, B or C, the Commission has adopted in September 2006 a 
Thematic Strategy on soil protection and made a proposal for a framework
Directive on the protection of soil. This proposal requires Member States to
prevent soil contamination, to make an inventory of contaminated sites
(including sites contaminated by substances in Annexes A, B and C) and to
remediate the sites identified. Member States are also required to take
measures to raise awareness and promote the transfer of knowledge and
experience for a sustainable use of soil. This could include an exchange of
information on the best available technologies for the remediation of
POP-containing sites. The Strategy and the proposal
have been sent to the other European Institutions for the further steps in the decision-making process. Discussions are still on-going to reach a political agreement and
thus the protection of soils is currently an exclusive competence of Member
States. 
The Water
Framework Directive includes many POPs and hence imposes monitoring obligations
on Member States regarding their presence in ground water and surface waters.
In this respect it provides a mechanism to identify contaminated sites
associated with water bodies.
Analysis: As
described above (3.4), several POPs (e.g. PCB, HCH, PCDD/PCDF, PAH, PFOS) have
resulted in a wide range of POPs contaminated sites. Due to the relative
mobility of POPs these sites are a threat for the wider environment and by
contamination of related river systems and the fish or flood plains and related
grazing cattle also impact human nutrition. Furthermore the more water soluble
POPs (PFOS and HCBD) also contaminate related ground and surface waters and can
impact drinking water. 
For the EU, the
historical contamination of soil with HCH is probably one of the main problems
linked to POP compounds. Identification and quantification of the extent of
this problem to develop appropriate risk management should be regarded as a
priority action for the Member States.
5.                      
     Implementation of the obligations on supporting
activities
5.1.                
    Information
exchange
Obligation:
Article 9: To facilitate or undertake information exchange relevant to the
reduction or elimination of the production, use and release of POPs and
alternatives to POPs including information relating to their risks as well as
their economic and social costs. This information exchange, either directly or
through the Secretariat, can also be used to develop alternatives to POPs.
Where Parties exchange information on health and safety of humans and the
environment it must not be treated as confidential. Parties that exchange other
information must protect any confidential information as mutually agreed.
COP5
recommendations:
·        
To
exchange information on and experiences of successful environmentally sound
handling, management and disposal of articles and wastes containing brominated
diphenyl ethers.
·        
Especially
developed countries, are encouraged to exchange their experiences and success
stories with other countries. Results should be reported to the Secretariat/COP
which should result in valuable information for developing and transition
countries and support implementation in these countries.
Implementation
so far:
The Commission is disseminating widely information on these activities mainly
through the Europa-website with the Directorate-General Environment hosting the
POP-specific website but also by different publicly accessible databases such
as Eur-Lex, statistic databases of Eurostat, the E-PRTR, the EU pesticide
database, and databases of EU institutions on specific topics e.g. the European
chemical Substances Information System (see section 2.5). In addition, risk
assessment reports are made publicly available, as well as the voluntary risk
assessment reports submitted to ECHA based on industry initiative. 
Analysis:
Obligations derived from the implementation of the POP Regulation are changing
(cf. 2009 addition of new substances as well as 2011 addition of endosulfan)
and stakeholders concerned by these changes need to be proactively informed and
supported in the implementation of the corresponding obligations. This could inter
alia take place via workshops, projects in cooperation with associations and
federations (industry and NGOs) as well as common dissemination strategies such
as websites and paper documentation.
 Action 15: Commission and Member States to ensure that all players (including industry) are fully informed about the obligations under the Stockholm Convention. 
 Action 16: Commission and Member States to exchange their experiences and success stories with other countries. 
 Action 17: Commission to facilitate the identification of substances that can be used as alternatives to POPs and to disseminate their risk assessment reports more widely. 
5.2.                
    Public
information, awareness and education
Obligations:
Article 10: Promote and facilitate awareness of POPs, among policy and decision
makers, and, along with industry and professional users, provide and facilitate
up-to-date information to the public as well as develop education and training
programmes. To give consideration to the development of mechanisms, including
pollutant release and transfer registers, for the collection and dissemination
of information on the release and disposal of chemicals listed in Annexes A, B
and C. To consult with national stakeholders when developing and implementing
the national implementation plan.
Implementation
so far:
Access to environmental information and consultation with stakeholders are an
integral part of the Union environment policy. In general, a lot of emphasis is
put on dissemination of information to citizens, industry and other interested
parties on European Union’s environment policy and activities. The main tool
for public information is the Europa-website, a specific website dedicated to
POPs and different European databases (see section 2.5).
As consultations
with stakeholders are an integral part of the European Union's environment
policy in order to provide opportunities for input from representatives of
authorities, civil society or individual citizens, this present European Union
Implementation Plan has been subjected to an open consultation (see Preface). 
Analysis: According
to the principle of subsidiarity, public information, awareness raising and
education on POPs remain at the domain of the EU Member States. The Commission
has concentrated on information on European Union legislation and other
activities. Additional problem is the language: the EU has more than 20
official languages. The Commission has limited possibilities to put in place
large information campaigns on POPs in all languages. However, information
campaigns at European Union level are not excluded if they are deemed
appropriate. As most Member States have developed their NIPs, it is now
possible to evaluate the need for and the added value of such concerted action
in the field of POPs.
 Action 18: The Commission and Member States to evaluate the need for and the added value of a concerted action - coordinated information campaigns at European Union level - in the field of POPs taking into consideration the obligation of Member States to disseminate environmental information on POPs pursuant to Directive 2003/4EC37. 
5.3.                
       Research,
development and monitoring
Obligations: Article
11: To encourage research, development and monitoring of POPs on their sources,
releases and transport to the environment, presence, levels, trends and effects
in humans and the environment, socio-economic and cultural impacts, release
reduction and/or elimination and harmonised methodologies for making
inventories and analytical techniques for measuring releases. In taking this
action, Parties should also support and further develop international
programmes aimed at research, data collection and monitoring, support efforts
to strengthen national scientific and technical research capabilities, take
into account the concerns and needs of developing countries to improve their
capability to participate, undertake research towards alleviating the effects
of POPs and make the results of this available to the public and encourage and/or
undertake cooperation with regard to storage and maintenance of this generated
information.
Implementation
so far:
Research and development are essential for the support of policies such as
inter alia consumer protection or the protection of the environment. The
Framework Programmes (FP) are the main instrument for funding research and
development in Europe. POP related research was funded in FP 5 (1998 – 2002),
FP 6 (2002-2006) and the funding continued also in FP 7 (2007 – 2013). Details
on projects funded under FP5 are given in the first Union Implementation Plan
prepared in 2007. Under FP7, 39 projects have been selected for funding,
addressing the issue of chemical pollution in the environment, with an EU
contribution of over €140 M (see section 2.4). Details on projects funded under
FP6 and FP7 are given in the Section 8 below. 
The Joint
Research Centre – the Commission's scientific body – has performed several
monitoring activities of POP substances in the environment, has performed
exposure assessment to POPs and contributed to the development of Toolkit[178]
for the indentification and quantification of releases of dioxins, furans and
other unintentional POPs particularly by determination of emission factors for
non-standard emission sources. 
Under the Water
Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC), Member States are obliged to
monitor substances placed on the priority list (many of which have POP
characteristics), if they are discharged into the river basin or sub-basin. In
addition, Member States have to monitor also other pollutants if they are
discharged in significant quantities in the river basin or sub-basin. 
Analysis: As
regards the research and development, support will
mainly come from Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 1 “Health, Demographic Change
and Wellbeing”, Societal Challenge 2 “Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture
and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy”
and Societal Challenge 5 “Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and
Raw Materials”since POP substances are still used due to lack of alternatives.
There are a
range of inconsistencies in PRTR data e.g. for PeCB, HCB and HCBD (see section 3.3.1).
A research in characterisation of sources of these substances might be
desirable to improve the situation.
As stated in
section 0, prevention of the formation of unintentional POPs through the
development of processes and technologies that avoid their formation should
mainly be addressed in the area of industrial production but also cover
domestic sources such as diffuse incineration sources. There is still need for
additional research and technological development.
Though the
coordination of research efforts already marks a good way towards the
minimisation of effort duplication (see section 2.4.2), this action should be
continued in the future. Especially the aspect of coordination and exchange at
international level should be set more in focus. In this respect exchanges
between research and development aid should be supported and further developed.

As regards the
monitoring, despite the fact that Member States' authorities, research
organisations and EU bodies are making significant efforts to monitor numerous
chemicals in various matrices (water, air, biota, soil, human milk, etc.) as a
consequence of EU legislation, national and international initiatives and
scientific curiosity, there is a knowledge gap on the chemical burden. This
occurs because the chemical data generated by the monitoring activities are not
being collected, managed and assessed in a coherent manner and accessible
manner. To address this gap, an information platform for chemical monitoring
data should be established at the European scale which would ensure a
coordinated and integrated approach to collecting, storing, accessing and
assessing of data.
 Action 19: Commission to ensure that the current EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 will encourage research and innovation activities for the above identified challenges (alternatives, characterisation of sources, review of industrial process to avoid unintentional formation, data management, testing, and health impacts) and promote a coordinated approach between MS as well as with international counterpartsinter alia long-term health impacts of exposure to POPs at environmentally relevant concentrations or development of affordable alternatives to POP substances still in use. 
 Action 20: Commission to support exchange of information and/or coordination of research both on Union and international level with a view to minimising duplication of effort. 
 Action 21: Commission to promote a more coherent approach to the generation, collection, storage and use of chemical monitoring data in relation to humans and the environment, through the creation of an information platform for chemical monitoring data. 
6.                      
      Implementation of other commitments
6.1.                
     Technical
assistance
Obligations:
Article 12: To cooperate, in response to requests to provide timely and
appropriate technical assistance to developing Parties and Parties with
economies in transition, especially least developed countries and small island
developing states, to assist them, to develop and strengthen their capacity to
implement their obligations under the Stockholm Convention. Article 12.3 places
an obligation on developed country Parties to provide such assistance and also
mandates the establishment of regional and sub-regional centres for
capacity-building and transfer of technology.
COP5
recommendations:
·        
To
encourage developed countries to promote the transfer to developing countries
of screening and separation techniques.
·        
The
transfer of knowledge and technology, including capacity-building to identify
PFOS in articles and applications and monitor PFOS in the environment, should
be promoted to support full participation in global efforts to reduce PFOS
risks.
·        
To
encourage developed countries to promote the transfer to developing countries
of screening and separation techniques (for PBDE containing materials).
Implementation
so far: Union
technical assistance responds to requests and is financed through its aid
programmes which are described in section 2.3.2 and 2.3.3. The main instrument
for assessing developing countries and partner organisations was the Thematic
Programme for Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
(ENRTP) within the EuropeAid. Technical assistance is also an important tool to
build up synergies with the Basel Convention.
Analysis: The
technical assistance for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention is
taken up in the ENRTP “2011-2013 Strategy Paper & Multiannual Indicative
Programme” as one point in “Priority 2. Environment for Development” and it is
thus assured for the period until 2013. The need or focus for this technical assistance
is so far not further specified. 
 Action 22: The European Union should develop mechanisms for better coordination between the bilateral aid programmes of the Commission and those of the Member States with regards to POPs. 
6.2.                
       Financial
Assistance
Obligations:
Article 13: All parties undertake to provide financial support and incentives
in respect of those national activities that are intended to achieve the
objective of the Stockholm Convention in accordance with their national plans,
priorities and programmes. Developed country Parties are required to provide
new and additional financial resources through the financial mechanism to
enable developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition to
meet the agreed full incremental costs of implementing measures which fulfil
their obligations under the Stockholm Convention.
 Basically, it
is for the Member States rather than the Union to fund domestic implementation
in accordance with Article 13.1. Nevertheless, the EU provides significant
amount of funding both within the EU though in neighbouring countries and in
developing countries, by different funding instruments in order to contribute
to the implementation, updating and development of EU (environmental) policy
(see section 2.3.1).
the European
Commission provides funding to to developing and neighbouring countries
directly  and also contributes to multilateral and international programmes,
such as the Voluntary Trust Fund of the Stockholm Convention and SAICM which
promotes chemical safety worldwide (see section 2.3.3). 
Analysis: The
EU provides numerous funding programmes and instruments. However, there is no
fund exclusively for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention. Indeed a
specific fund to support to partner countries implement the Conventionwould not
be in line with agreed international best practice in aid effectiveness since
developing countries are in the best position to set their own priorities.
Nevertheless the EU does recognise that for structural reasons, notably the
absence of future generations in decisio-making, environment tends to get
neglecting when countries decide on the use of aid allocated to them. It is for
this reason that the EU has reserved a part of the development cooperation
budget for environment through the ENRTP. This will continue under the next
Multi-annual Finncial Framework for the period 2014 – 2020 under under the
Global public Goods and Challenges (GPGC) Thematic Programme. . The Commission
has looked for opportunites to increase requests for aid related to sound
chemicals and wastes management, not least by being the second largest donor to
the Quick Start Programme of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals
Management which works to raise political awareness and action on sound
chemicals management in develping countries. The EU has played a leading role
in the UNEP-sponsored process to define Financing Options for sound Chemicals
and Wastes management (FOCW) which has resulted in agreement to launch a
Special International Programme for capacity building for the Basel, Rotterdam
and Stockholm Conventions and SAICM that will complement GEF support for the
Stockhol Convention Additionally, to increase awareness EU financial
instruments that could support POP-related action could be summarized and
indicated on the POP specific EU website.
 Action 23: To consider the scope for funding POPs related assistance when preparing and approving the Thematic Strategy Paper (TSP) governing the use of the GPGC for the period 2014–2020 and thereafter when drawing up the Annual Action Programme (AAP). 
6.3.                
      Reporting
Obligations:
Article 15: To report to the Conference of the Parties on the measures the
Party has taken to implement the provisions of the Stockholm Convention and on
the effectiveness of such measures in meeting the objectives of the Stockholm
Convention. Reporting shall include data on the total quantity of production,
import and export of the chemicals listed in Annexes A and B and a list of
countries from which it has imported and exported substances. 
Implementation
so far:
Both the Union and the Member States have to report to the COP according to the
timetable laid down by the COP and in accordance with their respective
competences. In order to provide information basis for reporting, Member States
are obliged by Article 12 of the Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 to report
regularly on the implementation of the Regulation to the Commission and the
Commission should compile a summary and synthesis reports from these reports
and forward them to the European Parliament and the Council. On issues which
belong to the Union competence, the Commission is responsible for the joint
reporting on behalf of the Union. 
Analysis:
Reporting from Member States to the Commission is a prerequisite for the EU to
be able to identify further measures for the implementation of the Stockholm
Convention and also for submitting adequate reports to the Stockholm
Convention. However, several Member States have not yet met their reporting
obligations and the Commission should launch infringement procedures in this
respect to address the issue.  
Following-up on
national reporting under the POP Regulation and on the still to be delivered
NIPs under the Stockholm Convention, the Commission should assess which specific
exemptions and acceptable purposes are still needed respectively fix a timeline
until when a complete phase-out is possible. There are hints that for example
the main remaining acceptable purposes for PFOS are the use in metal plating
industry and in aviation fluids (cf. section 3.2.4). For all other registered
applications PFOS seems to have been phased-out. However, this would have to be
verified with data and information reported by the EU’s Member States.
 Action 24: Commission to launch infringement procedures against the Member States in case of non-compliance. 
 Action 25: Commission to verify the need for continuation of specific exemptions and registered acceptable purposes for Annex A and Annex B substances. 
6.4.                
      Effectiveness
evaluation
Obligations:
Article 16: Conference of the Parties to periodically evaluate the
effectiveness of the Stockholm Convention, starting four years after entry into
force. The evaluation will be conducted on the basis of available scientific,
environmental, technical and economic information. 
Implementation
so far: Article
9 of Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 stipulates that the Commission and the Member
States shall establish, in close cooperation, appropriate programmes and
mechanisms, consistent with the state of the art, for the regular provision of
comparable monitoring data on the presence of dioxins, furans and PCBs as
identified in Annex III in the environment.
Harmonised
monitoring at EU-level exists for emissions of all by-product POPs through the
release register E-PRTR. There is also harmonised monitoring in the area of
feed and food where it is recommended that a number of defined food and feed
samples are analysed yearly. Common methods for sampling and analysis ensure
comparability of the results that will be compiled by the Commission in a
database with the aim of having a clear picture of the time trends in
background presence of these substances in feed and food.
Under the Water
Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC), Member States are obliged to
monitor substances placed on the priority list (many of which have POP
characteristics), if they are discharged into the river basin or sub-basin. In
addition, Member States have to monitor also other pollutants if they are
discharged in significant quantities in the river basin or sub-basin. 
In order to
check the feasibility of an EU coordinated approach to Human Biomonitoring
(HBM), a research project on the development of a coherent approach to human
biomonitoring in Europe[179]
was granted under the FP6 that lead into a concept to establish biomonitoring
as a policy making tool. HBM is an effective tool to evaluate the effectiveness
of policies because it allows good assessment of temporal trends in total human
exposure to environmental pollutants. In December 2009, under the FP7 funded EU
project COPHES, a consortium of experts from nearly all EU countries began to
work towards an EU HBM framework. The goals of the work are to harmonise
national and local activities on HBM to contribute to better data comparability
across the EU and to coordinate HBM programmes across the EU. This initiative
has been accompanied by a feasibility study called DEMOCOPHES which started in
September 2010 and was financed from Life plus. Both projects have now been
finalised and their results demonstrated that a more coordinated and harmonised
approach to HBM in Europe is useful to protect the health of Europeans also in
the future [180]
Analysis: The
Union and the Member States will continue to play an active role in the
international work regarding the effectiveness evaluation and will continue to
generate exposure data for their territory. An information platform for
chemical monitoring data will be established, to improve accessibility of the
data and coherence in collection, management and assessment (see section 5.3). The platform will improve effectiveness evaluation of the
implementation of the POP Regulation and of the Stockholm Convention in the EU
by facilitating acess to the chemical monitoring data across EU and by improving
comparability of the data. 
6.5.                
       Addition
of Future Chemicals to the Stockholm
Convention
Obligations: The
Stockholm Convention does not lay down any particular obligation concerning
addition of chemicals to it but allows any Party to propose amendment of the
Stockholm Convention by listing of further substances in it.
Implementation
so far: The
Commission has initiated the inclusion of several of the new POPs and supported
the proposals submitted by other parties. Also the candidate POP SCCP has been
proposed by the EU (see section 3.5). 
Analysis: The
Union and the Member States have put throughout the negotiations on the
Stockholm Convention a lot of emphasis on the widening of the initial list of
12 POP substances to additional POP substances warranting global action. The
proper functioning of the POP Review Committee is of crucial importance in this
regard. It is evident that the Commission and the Member States need to
actively participate in and support the POP Review Committee in its work in order
to ensure timely and thoroughevaluation of the submitted proposals.
Through the
implementation of the EU legislation, particularly of REACH Regulation and
Water Framework Directive, the EU is in the possession of a huge amount of
valuable chemicals data. This data should be used to assess any further
candidates for the inclusion into the Stockholm Convention and the POP
Protocol.
The addition of
the new substances to the POP Protocol in 2009 goes along with a restriction on
production and use except for certain exemptions. The Commission is to verify
implementation of these provisions in the EU through data gathering and
exchange with Member States.
 Action 26: “Commission and Member States to continue work on identification of potential POP substances warranting international action. Commission to initiate formal proposals by the Union, when appropriate. Commission and the Member States to increase and strengthen Union wide and international cooperation and information exchange concerning identification of potential POP substances and on concentrations of emerging POP substances especially in remote regions and on the extent of trans-boundary dispersion”. 
7.                      
EU research projects since 2007 with references to POP
issues 
Table 8              Research
Projects with references to POPs funded under FP7 (by June 2011)
 No. || Acronym, Project Title, EU contribution || Programme, Duration time || Short description and main objectives || More information 
 1 || ACROPOLIS, Aggregate and cumulative risk of pesticides: an on-line integrated strategy, EU Contribution €3M || FP7-KBBE Start date: 2010-06-01 End date: 2013-05-31 || Improvement of cumulative exposure assessment and cumulative hazard assessment methodology; Development of new models for aggregated exposure assessment addressing different routes of exposure; Setting up of new toxicological testing for identifying possible synergistic effects and development of a strategy for refinement of cumulative assessment groups; Integration of cumulative and aggregate risk models integrated in a web-based tool, including accessible data for all stakeholders; Improvement of the understanding of cumulative risk assessment methodology of different stakeholders. || http://acropolis-eu.com/ 
 2 || ARCRISK, Arctic Health Risks: Impacts on health in the Arctic and Europe owing to climate-induced changes in contaminant cycling, EU Contribution €3.5M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2009-06-01 End date: 2013-12-31 || Exploration and use of selected climate change and chemical usage scenarios, the changing routes and mechanisms by which persistent chemical pollutants and air pollutants are delivered to the Arctic and the possible role of global climate change; Study of the deposition and accumulation of air pollutants and persistent chemical pollutants on snow/ice and on ice-free surfaces, their fate and transfer to aquatic food chains with melt-water runoff; Exploration of the transfer of pollutants from the abiotic Arctic environment into the base of food chains and to higher trophic level organisms (e.g., fish, marine mammals, reindeer) consumed by humans; Comparison of the role of climate change on the transport, fate and food web transfer of pollutants in the Arctic to the situation in relevant selected areas with exposed local populations in the EU; Identify and quantify the current main health outcomes in relation to exposure to ‘legacy’ contaminants in selected populations in the Arctic and exposed local populations in the EU. || http://www.arcrisk.eu/ 
 3 || BASELINE, Selection and improving of fit-for-purpose sampling procedures for specific foods and risks, EU Contribution €5.15M || FP7-KBBE Start date: 2009-08-01 End date: 2013-07-31 || Review of the sampling schemes currently available for food authorities and food producers to perform food safety quantitative risk assessment in a European level; Assessment of the relevance and suitable limit values of Performance Objectives (POs) and Food Safety Objectives (FSOs) for biological and chemical risks; Evaluation of the need for new or adapted methods for sampling and testing of the risk factors identified. The selected protocols and methods should be able to produce suitable data for risk analysis; Development of predictive mathematical models for biological risks and investigate and model sources and pathways of chemical contaminants to improve sampling schemes; Validation and harmonisation of the sampling schemes developed in the project and alternative detection methods; Sharing and dissemination of the scientific knowledge deriving from the project to stakeholders. || http://www.baselineeurope.eu/ 
 4 || BASIS, PAH Anaerobic Biodegradation Assessment by Stable Isotope Technologies, EU Contribution €170,000 || FP7-PEOPLE Start date: 2011-05-01 End date: 2013-04-30 || The main goals of this proposed project are to assess in situ biodegradation of PAHs under anaerobic environments in marine and fresh water systems, to describe microbial activities and to identify microbial key players || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b705787f:3ad5:58e8706f&RCN=98660 - no project website yet 
 5 || BAYEX, Atmospheric Exchange of Persistent Chemicals in Bothnian Bay, Northern Baltic Sea, EU Contribution €240,000 || FP7-PEOPLE Start date: 2011-04-15 End date: 2013-04-14 || Atmospheric deposition and air-sea exchange of persistent chemicals in Bothnian Bay are investigated with goals of understanding current atmospheric loadings and how future loadings will respond to changes in ice cover and air concentrations || http://eu.project.umu.se/projectweb/4a851ad5f0ec5/Baltic%20region.html http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b701efac:1e64:56f2a86f&RCN=96896 - no project website yet 
 6 || BRIDGE, Bridging mechanisms into risk assessment: An integrated European research network targeting contaminants in milk, EU Contribution €3.48M || FP7-KBBE Duration: 36 months || Risk assessment data for exposure to contaminants in milk, particularly during the vulnerable stages of foetal and infant development; characterisation of the endocrine disruptive effects of chemical and microbiological toxins in milk and produce novel tools to improve consumer safety and prevent disease. || http://www.ncp-bio.net/media/documents/successstories/bridge.pdf - no project website yet 
 7 || BROWSE, Exposure models to assess the risks to operators, workers, residents and bystanders from exposure to plant protection products (PPPs), EU Contribution €2M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2011-01-01 End date: 2013-12-31 || Review, improve and extend the models currently used in the risk assessment of plant protection products (PPPs) to evaluate the exposure of operators, workers, residents and bystanders. Use the new and improved exposure models to contribute to the implementation of Regulation 1107/2009 on authorisation of PPPs, replacing Directive 91/414/EC and the implementation of the Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. Involve all relevant stakeholders and end-users and take full account of relevant gender issues in developing the exposure models and policy tools. || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_ENV_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=56&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0129fe7c8e02:8b2f:41abc192&RCN=97105 - no project website yet 
 8 || CADASTER, Case studies on the development and application of in silico techniques for environmental hazard and risk assessment, EU Contribution €2.69M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2009-01-01 End date: 2012-12-31 || The project provides a practical guidance to integrated risk assessment by carrying out a full hazard and risk assessment for chemicals belonging to four compound classes. Collection of data and models; development and validation of QSAR models; integration of QSARs within hazard and risk assessment; outreach via development of website, newsletters/workshop(s) and standalone tools for dissemination of project results. || http://www.cadaster.eu/ 
 9 || CARBPOL, Investigating the role of the carbon cycle on the environ­mental fate of semivolatile organic pollutants, EU Contribution €170,000 || FP7-PEOPLE Start date: 2008-04-01 End date: 2010-03-31 || Semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs) are a heterogeneous class of chemicals including many ubiquitous toxic pollutants such as the notorious persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The main hypothesis behind the present project is that the C cycle controls the global environmental cycling of SOCs. || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b706c02a:6e26:55bf2629&RCN=87358 - no project website yet 
 10 || CLEAR, Climate Change, Environmental Contaminants and Reproductive Health, EU Contribution €2.37M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2009-05-01 End date: 2013-04-30 || Identification and description of mechanisms by which climate change affect the exposure of Arctic and other human populations to contaminants through change in chemical use and emissions, delivery to the ecosystems as well as processing within the physical environment and human food chain; Expansion of the existing knowledge database on human contaminant exposure in the Arctic and selected European countries by measurements of biopersistent and non-persistent compounds in serum samples, namely polybrominated diphenylethers, perfluorinated surfactants, phthalates and metals; Increase knowledge on links between parental blood levels of environmental contaminants and reproductive health outcomes in terms of functional and biological measures of fertility and child development; Investigation of mechanisms related to effects of contaminants on reproductive health; Integration of data on relative climate induced changes in contaminant mobility and distribution, external and internal exposure of humans and links between contaminant exposure and health surveys into a risk assessment and risk evaluation. || http://www.inuendo.dk/clear/ 
 11 || CONFFIDENCE, Contaminants in food and feed: inexpensive detection for control of exposure, EU Contribution €5.8M || FP7-KBBE Start date: 2008-05-01 End date: 2012-04-30 || Provide long-term solutions to the monitoring of POPs, perfluorinated compounds, pesticides, veterinary pharmaceuticals (coccidiostats, antibiotics), heavy metals and biotoxins (alkaloids, marine toxins, mycotoxins) in high-risk products such as fish and fish feed; Assurance of quality and safety in the European food supply from farm to fork by the development of new simplified detection methods for chemical contaminants with effective features; development of new detection tools for key and emerging risks as recognised by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA); improvement of consumer exposure assessments to achieve a better understanding of contaminant levels in food and feed; contribution to the validation of risk-benefit and predictive hazard behaviour models in accordance with the strategic agenda of the European Technology Platform (ETP) Food for Life; extensive dissemination and training of new detection methods to all relevant stakeholders, including industrial and governmental end-users and students, to advance technology exploitation. || http://www.conffidence.eu/ 
 12 || CONTAMED, Contaminant mixtures and human reproductive health – novel strategies for health impact and risk assessment of endocrine disrupters, EU Contribution €3.5M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2008-05-01 End date: 2011-12-31 || The project will explore the hypothesis that combined exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) in foetal life may lead to adverse delayed impacts on human reproductive health. Preparation of the ground for epidemiological studies able to capture cumulative EDC exposure by developing and evaluating biomarkers for total effective internal EDC load; Substantiation of observations from human studies in extended developmental toxicity rat studies by investigating the possible role of mixtures of oestrogens, anti-androgens and other classes of EDC in producing long-lasting delayed adverse reproductive effects at environmentally relevant levels; Bringing together human epidemiology and predictive toxicological risk assessment by comparing internal EDC exposures in humans with those resulting from controlled exposures producing clear effects in laboratory animal experiments; Searching for previously unrecognised EDCs in human tissues. || http://www.contamed.eu/ 
 13 || COPHES, Consortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale, EU Contribution €4M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2009-12-01 End date: 2012-11-30 || The project will develop a coherent approach to human biomonitoring (HBM) in Europe, using existing and planned HBM projects and programmes of work and capabilities. It will investigate what is needed to advance and improve comparability of HBM data across Europe. Definition of priorities for biomonitoring of chemical exposures and effects in the general European population; improvement of comparability of HBM data in Europe by developing strategies to harmonise recruitment, sampling, quality control, data exchange, data analysis, and reporting strategies; guarantee of high scientific standards and use of up-to-date scientific technology and approaches in human biomarker development and integration of HBM into health impact assessment; provision of a communication strategy and common ethical standards, development of a programme for capacity building and of a concept for sustainable organisation and structure of an EU HBM network. || http://www.eu-hbm.info/ 
 14 || CYTOTHREAT, Fate and effects of cytostatic pharmaceuticals in the environment and identification of biomarkers for an improved risk assessment on environmental exposure, EU Contribution €2.58M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2011-01-01 End date: 2014-12-31 || Assess the risks of pharmaceuticals released in the environment, focusing on cytostatic drugs because of genotoxic properties which may cause unexpected long term effects. Their release in the environment may lead to systemic ecological effects and increased cancer incidence, reduced fertility and malformations in the offspring in humans. Special emphasis is put on the combined effects of environmentally relevant mixtures; combination of state-of-the art analytical chemistry, in vivo and in vitro systems, and ‘OMICS’ technologies is applied. Comparisons with the hazardous effects of other groups of pharmaceuticals will provide knowledge on the magnitude of the problem; it will generate new knowledge on environmental and health risks of cytostatics and provide objective arguments for recommendations and regulations. || http://www.nib.si/eng/index.php/aktualno/project/287-national-institute-of-biology-nib-is-coordinating-7-framework-programme-project-which-has-33-million-eur-budget-.html - no project website yet 
 15 || DEER, Developmental Effects of Environment on Reproduction, EU Contribution €3.5M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2008-05-01 End date: 2012-04-30 || This research project will improve the understanding of the role of environmental factors in the development and establishment of human reproductive health. Investigation of connections between normal and abnormal foetal and perinatal reproductive development and subsequent maturation of reproductive function at puberty and in adulthood; study of systemic gene-environment interactions underlying reproductive disorders taking into account genetic susceptibility, multiple exposures (mixtures of environmental chemicals and natural products) and their timing (perinatal, peripubertal, adult); investigation of connections between perinatal reproductive development and obesity/metabolic disorders in later life. || http://www.eu-deer.net/index.htm 
 16 || DEHALORES, Breathing chlorinated compounds: unravelling the biochem­istry underpinning (de)halorespiration, an exciting bacterial metabo­lism with significant bioremediation potential, EU Contribution €1.15M || FP7-IDEAS Start date: 2008-09-01 End date: 2013-08-31 || Seeks to unlock the full potential of bacterial metabolism for bioremediation of persistent organohalides, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and tetrachloroethene. However, the regulation, mechanism and structure of the reductive dehalogenase (the enzyme responsible for delivering electrons to the halogenated substrates) are poorly understood. This ambitious proposal seeks to study representatives of the distinct reductive dehalogenase classes as well as key elements of the associated regulatory systems. || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b2397c56:cc2a:18356864&RCN=87942 - no project website yet 
 17 || DENAMIC, Developmental neurotoxicity assessment of mixtures in children, EU Contribution €6.99M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Duration: 48 months || Exposure to low doses of environmental biologically active contaminants during human development can alter gene expression and have deleterious effects on cognitive development in childhood. project is focused on reducing such effects of environmental contamination on learning and developmental disorders in children. It aims to study and evaluate environment-health relationships in children. Develop tools and methods for neurotoxic effects of mixtures of environmental pollutants at low levels, possibly resulting in (subclinical) effects on learning (cognitive skills) and developmental disorders in children; study mechanisms of disease development and the role of individual susceptibility; improve assessment of exposures and effects, focus on combined exposures to environmental agents that can interact to enhance adverse effects and reduction of health inequalities of children through Europe; dissemination will ensure the project results to arrive at policymakers' desks, and will also illustrate the subject for a scientific audience and the public. The very large network of the consortium ensures dissemination to European industries, and every other interested stakeholder. || http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/pdf/fp7_catalogue.pdf - no project website yet 
 18 || ENFIRO, Life Cycle Assessment of Environment-Compatible Flame Retardants: Prototypical Case Study, EU Contribution €3.16M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2009-09-01 End date: 2012-08-31 || The project offers a prototypical case study on substitution options for specific brominated flame retardants (BFRs). It delivers a comprehensive dataset on viability of production and application, environmental safety, and a life cycle assessment of the alternative flame retardants (FRs). Collection of information on the availability of alternative FRs, their characteristics in relation to fire safety regulations, environmental behaviour, possible toxic effects, economic aspects, compatibility with polymer production and impact on the function and reliability of end products; selection of substitution options for specific BFRs for further study in a small number of case studies; technical assessment studies on application requirements regarding production properties and application functions; technical assessment on five alternative FR/product combinations: printed circuit boards, electronic components, injection-moulded products, textile back coatings and intumesent paints; determination of toxicological effects and environmental behaviour, performance of risk assessment based on all environmental and human hazard information and performance of life-cycle assessment (LCA) and a life cycle costing (LCC) analysis of the alternative FRs studied. || http://www.enfiro.com/ 
 19 || ENRIECO, Environmental Health Risks in European Birth Cohorts, EU Contribution €0.91M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2009-03-01 End date: 2011-02-28 || The project will focus on exposure response relationships in environment and health in pregnancy and early childhood based and supported of the wealth of data generated by past or ongoing studies funded by the EU and national programmes. Inventories of birth cohorts, including health and exposure data, biological samples, environmental exposure response functions, expertise, and access; assurance of quality and interoperability and validation of exposure, health and exposure-response data; extraction and rigorous evaluation of quality of the data, including developing protocols; data access, databases and analysis, including setting-up of protocols for data access, database building and analyses, and exposure-response analyses; conduction of specific analyses on exposure and health data to obtain exposure-response functions and specific meta/pooled analyses to obtain exposure-response functions; recommendations for data collection in the future to improve environment health linkages and information for data collection (exposure, health etc), for possible analyses (laboratory and statistical) and for exchange of knowledge between (older and newer) cohorts; dissemination of information through the project website, virtual network, workshop(s), easy accessible info and a database with exposure-response functions. || http://www.enrieco.org/ 
 20 || ENVIROGENOMARKERS, Genomic Biomakers of Environmental Health, EU Contribution €3.5M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2009-03-01 End date: 2013-02-28 || The project will aim at the development and application of a new generation of biomarkers to study the role of environmental agents in human disease. Discovery and validation of novel biomarkers predictive of increased risks of chronic diseases, in which the environment may play an important role (breast cancer, NHL, allergy, neurological and immune diseases, thyroid disruption); exploration of the association of such risk biomarkers with environmental exposures, including high-priority pollutants (carcinogens and immunotoxicants) and emerging exposures (such as phthalates and brominated flame retardants), many of which are also endocrine disrupters; discovery and validation of biomarkers of exposure to the above and other high-priority environmental exposures (e.g., water disinfection by-products). || http://www.envirogenomarkers.net/ 
 21 || EXPLOIT-CSIA, Exploiting the potential use of compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) in marine environment, EU Contribution €240,000 || FP7-PEOPLE Start date: 2010-09-01 End date: 2012-08-31 || To explore, develop and exploit the potential use of Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) to PAHs and POPs compound groups in marine environments in order to unambiguously allocate and distinguish their contaminant sources, track their contamination pathways ( environmental forensics ), identify and quantify transformation reactions, chemical or biological remediation processes as well as degradation mechanisms || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b71262d3:c74c:56e3be5f&RCN=96372 - no project website yet 
 22 || FACET, Flavourings, Additives and food Contact materials Exposure Task, EU Contribution €5.88M || FP7-KBBE Start date: 2008-09-01 End date: 2012-08-31 || The project will estimate exposure to flavours, additives and food contact materials across Europe and the creation of a food chemical exposure surveillance system. Recording the occurrence levels of targeted chemicals in representative regions of the EU food supply. This will include a major survey of food packaging usage in countries representative of the regional groupings of FACET; creation of a database of targeted food chemical concentrations in foods, working closely with the food and packaging sectors, and the regulatory authorities; establishment of a migration modelling framework for complex packaging materials into foods under real conditions of use to deliver realistic concentration estimates for consumer exposure modelling; construction of a tiered food intake database aimed at foods, which are relevant to the target food chemicals; development of a personal computer-based, publicly available software programme, taking in to account the variation of national food consumption data, which will draw on limited data, build on known laws governing food intake and in particular build on small national surveys and local knowledge to model regional intake of target foods; building of new databases, populate them with the data generated by the project and to estimate exposure assessment using a probabilistic model. || http://www.ucd.ie/facet/ 
 23 || FOODSEG, Safe food for Europe – Coordination of research activities and dissemination of research results of EU funded research on food safety, EU Contribution €1M || FP7-KBBE Start date: 2011-05-01 End date: 2014-04-30 || The project will disseminate state-of-the-art research results in food safety and quality topics through a series of symposia, expert working group meetings, an online platform with best practise examples and coordination of cooperation and a plan for the preparation of future activities. || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b6fc6aa8:2f48:57083f56&RCN=98810 - no project website yet 
 24 || HEROIC, Health and environmental risks: organisation, integration and cross-fertilisation of scientific knowledge, EU Contribution €0.98M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Duration: 36 months || Due to the lack of mutual understanding between experts of individual disciplines, data from toxicological and ecotoxicological studies is not readily accessible by risk assessors across disciplines. However, the need for risk assessment (RA) will continue to along with budget restrictions and political and public pressure to reduce the number of animal tests. More cost effective, predictive and rapid tests for high quality sustainable RA are needed including a better exploitation of existing data. Better risk communication to regain consumer/public trust and to give unambiguous guidance for improved risk management. Divergence often arises on risk policies and measures, sometimes due to different RA approaches. The project will establish and co-ordinate a global network of European and international experts and stakeholders from different disciplines to establish stronger interfaces between human and environmental RA, between RA and risk management, between the various agencies and countries within the EU and between agencies and industry. || http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/pdf/fp7_catalogue.pdf - no project website yet 
 25 || INTERNAL EXPOSURE, Internal exposure in tissue equilibrium sampling to bridge the missing link between bioavailability and bioaccumulation, EU Contribution €180,000 || FP7-PEOPLE Start date: 2008-04-15 End date: 2011-10-14 || The overall goal of this application is to improve the understanding of the link between concentrations of organic contaminants in the marine environment and the contaminant levels in the tissues of higher organisms where adverse effects are occurring, analysing internal exposure, bioaccumulation and bioavailability of organic contaminants. Investigation in the missing link between external concentrations of POPs and their levels at target sites in organisms where adverse effects occur. || http://www.itm.su.se/page.php?pid=492 
 26 || MARPAH, Marine micro-algae as global reservoir of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degraders, EU Contribution €330,000 || FP7-PEOPLE Start date: 2008-10-20 End date: 2011-10-19 || To manage and mitigate the impacts of PAH pollution in the marine environment, it is necessary that we understand the mechanisms involved in their biodegradation. || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b236edee:17bb:77108fab&RCN=88345 - no project website yet 
 27 || OBELIX, Obesogenic Endocrine disrupting chemicals: Linking prenatal exposure to the development of obesity later in life, EU Contribution €3M || FP7-KBBE Start date: 2009-05-01 End date: 2013-04-30 || It will investigate if prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds in food plays a role in the development of obesity and related disorders later in life. Assessment of prenatal exposure in humans to major classes of ECDs in food identified as potential inducers of obesity and related disorders later in life, sing mother-child cohorts from various European regions with different food contaminant exposure patterns; Relating markers for early life exposure to EDCs with effect biomarkers, novel biomarkers and health outcome data, which are related to risk for obesity and related disorders later in life; Performing hazard characterization of in utero exposure to representatives of major classes of EDCs in food with respect to the development of obesity later in life, using dose-response analysis in a rodent (mouse) model; Determination of mechanisms of action of obesogenic EDCs using analysis of effect biomarkers, gene expression and epigenetic analysis. Mouse models, in vitro models and analysis in peripheral mononuclear cells of biological samples from the cohorts, will be used as complementary tools; Performing risk assessment of prenatal exposure to besogenic EDCs in food, by integrating maternal exposure through food, contaminant exposure and health effect data in children, and hazard characterization and mechanistic information in animal and in in-vitro studies. || http://www.theobelixproject.org/ 
 28 || OPENTOX, An open source predictive toxicology framework, EU Contribution €2.97M || FP7-HEALTH Start date: 2009-07-01 End date: 2014-06-30 || The project will create a unified access framework to toxicological data, quantitative models and supporting information and it will provide tools for the integration of data from various sources. Development of a framework providing a unified access to toxicity data, (Q)SAR models, procedures supporting validation and additional information that helps with the interpretation of (Q)SAR predictions; Provision of accessibility at three levels: (i) A simple and intuitive interface for toxicological experts that provides unified access to (Q)SAR predictions, toxicological data, (Q)SAR models and supporting information; (ii) An expert interface for the streamlined development and validation of new (Q)SAR models; (iii) An application programming interface for the development, integration and validation of new (Q)SAR algorithms; Development as an open source project to optimise the dissemination and impact, to allow the inspection and review of algorithms and to attract external contributors; Close collaboration with related projects (e.g., OECD QSAR toolbox) and relevant authorities to agree on common standards and to avoid duplicated and redundant work. || http://www.opentox.org/ 
 29 || OUTREACH, Overlooked Unresolved Toxic Organic Pollutants: Resolution, Identification, Measurement and Toxicity, EU Contribution €2M || FP7-IDEAS Start date: 2009-07-01 End date: 2014-06-30 || Identification, measurement and study of the effects of unresolved and unidentified, complex mixtures (UCMs) of organic chemicals || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=13&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b2290de1:7015:28acdc28&RCN=91068 - no project website yet 
 30 || PERFOOD, Perflourinated organic in our diet, EU Contribution €3M || FP7-KBBE Start date: 2009-08-01 End date: 2012-07-31 || The project focuses on the development of robust and reliable analytical tools, including reference materials for the determination of PFCs in food items. The aim is to qualify and quantify PFCs in our diet, understand how PFCs are transferred from the environment into dietary items, and quantify the possible contribution of food/beverage contact materials and food and water processing to the overall PFC levels in our diet. Assessment of the origin of PFCs in our diet and the contribution of the diet to the total human exposure to PFCs; development of robust and reliable analytical tools for the determination of PFCs, and using of these to (i) qualify and quantify PFCs in our diet; (ii) understand how PFCs are transferred from the environment into dietary items, and (iii) quantify the possible contribution of food/beverage contact materials and food and water processing to the overall PFC levels in our diet; evaluation of the possible routes, including their relative importance, of human exposure to PFCs via our diet; assessment of the role of the technosphere in the contamination of our food; identification of ways to reduce the PFC contamination of dietary articles. || http://www.perfood.eu/   
 31 || PHARMAS, Ecological and human health risk assessments of antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs found in the environment, EU Contribution €2.8M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2011-01-01 End date: 2013-12-31 || Assess the risks to wild animals and humans posed by environmental exposure to pharmaceuticals.  This project will concentrate on two classes of human pharmaceuticals, namely antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs, considering uncertainty to obtain accurate data on both exposure concentrations and effects levels. || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=7&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=012d5027c1d5:b8ab:4d39d878&RCN=97551 - no project website yet 
 32 || QSAFFE, Quality and safety of feeds and food for Europe, EU Contribution €2.99M                || FP7-KBBE Start date: 2011-03-01 End date: 2014-08-31 || The project will deliver better, faster and economically viable means of ensuring the quality and safety of animal feeds in Europe. Provide an integrated approach to the reduction and management of chemical and microbiological contamination in animal feeds, better ways of preventing contamination and fraud, identifying and assessing new risks and providing scientific evidence of the risks of transfer of microbiological and chemical contaminants from feed to food. Development of new strategies for quality and safety assurance in the feed chain using existing testing methods and emerging technologies; development and improvement of systems of traceability and authenticity monitoring of the major feed materials used in Europe; identify the emerging risks (chemical and microbiological) from new sources of animal feed materials that may arise from changes to the formulation/composition of animal feeds and due to economic factors; undertake optimization and application of pharmaco-kinetic models focussing on a number of carefully selected transfer problems such as dioxins and PCBs, melamine and related compounds, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes based on existing data and data generated in the studies performed within the project. || http://www.qsaffe.eu/ 
 33 || REEF, Reproductive effects of environmental chemicals in females, EU Contribution €2,92M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2008-05-01 End date: 2011-04-30 || The project will use a pattern of gestational development similar to humans, exposed long-term to a broad range of environmental chemicals (ECs) at low/environmental concentrations. This will provide a real-life model for human exposure. Examination of the effects of sewage sludge exposure during specific periods of foetal ovarian development in the sheep; examination of the effects of environmental concentrations of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on female reproductive development in the sheep and mouse; investigation of the transgenerational effects of DEHP and PCB exposure on F2 sheep and mouse ovaries; examination of the effects of DEHP and PCBs on cultured human and sheep foetal ovaries; integration of human and animal models. || http://www.abdn.ac.uk/reef/ 
 34 || SYSTEQ, The development, validation and implementation of human systemic Toxic Equivalencies (TEQs) as biomarkers for dioxin-like compounds, EU Contribution €2.7M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2009-02-01 End date: 2013-01-31 || TEQs are developed as biomarkers for exposure and risk of dioxin-like compounds, since chlorinated dioxins and biphenyls (PCBs) commonly occur in the human food chain and can still be detected at levels that might cause long term health effects. Establishment of possible differences between ‘uptake’ and ‘systemic’ TEFs; study of novel quantifiable biomarkers in in-vitro experiments; exploration of the possibility to use effects in peripheral lymphocytes as novel biomarkers; study of differences in TEFs between humans and experimental animal species in in-vitro experiments; testing of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in different in vitro systems; comparison of systemic TEFs (rodent models) and in vitro TEFs (rodent and human models) by applying multivariate statistical techniques; contribution to risk assessment; validation of biomarkers; contribution to establishing international consensus values of human ‘systemic’ TEF values for dioxin-like compounds, including some highly toxic PCBs. || http://www.systeqproject.eu/ 
 35 || TATOO, Tagging Tool based on a Semantic Discovery Framework, EU Contribution €2.52M || FP7-ICT Start date: 2010-01-01 End date: 2012-12-31 || To set up a semantic web solution to close the discovery gap that prevents a full and easy access to environmental resources on the web. The Central and Eastern European Centre for Persistent Organic Pollutants will participate in the project of validation. || http://www.tatoo-fp7.eu/tatooweb/ 
 36 || TMP53COMPMIX, Transcriptional mutagenesis in mammalian cell systems: p53 signaling as a probe of cellular effects, EU Contribution €100,000 || FP7-PEOPLE Start date: 2010-05-01 End date: 2014-04-30 || The model is based on the central role of p53 in the cellular response to DNA damages derived from carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_PROJ_EN&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b238120e:ba93:06e913f6&RCN=94459 - no project website yet 
 37 || TRANSPHORM, Transport related Air Pollution and Health impacts - Integrated Methodologies for Assessing Particulate Matter, EU Contribution €6.91M || FP7-ENVIRONMENT Start date: 2010-03-01 End date: 2014-02-28 || The project will develop and implement an integrated methodology to assess the health impacts of particulate matter (PM) resulting from transport related air pollution. Quantification of pollutant-specific human exposure to airborne particulate matter in urban environments resulting from emissions from the main transport sectors; conduction of measurement campaigns in Rotterdam, Helsinki and Thessaloniki for source apportionment, exposure assessment and model evaluation purposes establishing new and unique datasets to better reflect actual exposure to air pollution caused by the transport sector; development, improvement and integration of air quality dispersion and exposure models for urban and regional scales; determination of improved and, where necessary, new emission factors of ultrafine particle number expressed as PN0.1 and mass fractions of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 for key transport sources; development of an integrated assessment methodology to connect the various transport sources to human exposure to air pollution; development of new concentration-response or exposure-response functions linking long and short-term ambient residential exposure to size-resolved and speciated PM with key health endpoints; application of the full chain integrated health assessment method to a number of selected European cities experiencing pollution from road traffic, harbours and shipping, airports and other sources such as railways. || http://www.transphorm.eu/ 
Table 9                    Research
Projects with references to POPs funded under the FP6 and by other programmes,
focusing on projects with starting date from 2007 on. 
 No. || Acronym, Project Title, EU contribution || Programme, Duration time || Short description and main objectives || More information 
 1 || ATHON, Assessing the toxicity and hazard of non-dioxin-like (NDL)-PCBs present in food, EU Contribution €4.61M || FP6-FOOD Start date: 2006-04-01 End date: 2010-03-31 || NDL-PCBs are poorly characterised from a toxicological point of view and constitute a major part of the PCBs found in food and human tissues.  It aims to provide missing critical information for hazard characterisation, to clarify biological mechanisms underlying the various types of toxicity of NDL-PCBs and to evaluate these data from a regulatory toxicology point-of-view. Establish quality-controlled experimental in vivo and in vitro models for studies of NDL-PCBs; provide toxicokinetic data of for NDL-PCBs and quantitative and qualitative toxicity profiles for NDL-PCBs; provide a new classification strategy for NDL-PCB congeners based on effect biomarker information; provide an up-to-date compilation and evaluation of toxicological effect and exposure data on NDL-PCBs and PCB metabolites. || http://www.cascadenet.org/~athon 
 2 || BENERIS, Benefit-risk assessment for food: an iterative value-of information approach, EU Contribution €0.64M || FP6-FOOD Start date: 2006-04-01 End date: 2009-09-30 || Food safety and risks are highly sensitive issues, sometimes resulting in crises. This project will undertake a benefit/risk assessment with an iterative top-down approach to explore risks of food and its contaminants. Develop and use integrated methods to evaluate both the risks and health benefits related to any given food item. Decision analytical methods will be used to find out the critical uncertainties for decision-making; work on existing databases of food intake and nutrients, and food consumption studies in several European countries and its applicability to other countries; estimation of health effects of contaminants and nutrients by using new methods, integrating both epidemiological and toxicological data. || http://www.ist-world.org/ProjectDetails.aspx?ProjectId=3cef10b6d8c74fbb8291eb7c4a1d005e&SourceDatabaseId=7cff9226e582440894200b751bab883f http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP6_PROJ&ACTION=D&DOC=2&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b7231180:68af:57db2ab4&RCN=79852 
 3 || CASCADE, Chemicals as contaminants in the food chain: a Network of Excellence (NoE) for research, risk assessment and education, EU Contribution €14.4M || FP6-FOOD Start date: 2004-02-01 End date: 2010-01-31 || The harmful effects of dietary chemical contaminants represent a major health problem in every society. However since there is insufficient information it has proved difficult to assess the health risks they constitute for humans. Europe has recognized this threat and extensive research efforts have been undertaken to identify the problems caused by food borne contaminants. A European wide Network of Excellence (NoE) under the leadership of the Karolinska Institutet has been established to enhance coordination and integration of information, procedures and measures in the European level on the human health effects of chemical residues in food. || http://www.cascadenet.org/ 
 4 || CAT-DEC, New catalysts prepared from LDH for reductive dechlorination: towards an alternative POP destruction system, EU Contribution €150,000 || FP6-MOBILITY Start date: 2007-01-01 End date: 2008-12-31 || Alternative approach for destruction of polychlorinated chemicals via catalytic reduction. The main objective is to develop a new dechlorination system based on the supported metal catalysts prepared from layered double hydroxides || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP6_PROJ&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b280aa74:cf18:5bcab2fa&RCN=82650 
 5 || DELAC, Engineering fungal laccases by directed molecular evolution and semi-rational approaches: application in bioremedia­tion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs), EU Contribution €150,000 || FP6-MOBILITY Start date: 2007-09-24 End date: 2009-09-23 || The current research proposal claims to carry out the technology of the enzymatic bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by using biocatalysts (both native and tailored by directed molecular evolution). || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP6_PROJ&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b286d0a6:0fc3:69e600d5&RCN=82587 
 6 || ENDURE, European Network for the Durable Exploitation of crop protection strategies, EU Contribution €11.2M || FP6-FOOD Start date: 2007-01-01 End date: 2010-12-31 || Cross-disciplinary project for the development and implementation of pest control strategies, reduction of pesticides inputs and the creation of supporting network institutions for training and services. || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP6_PROJ&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b287d1d5:3858:25a8d3d2&RCN=81525 
 7 || ENVIRISK, Assessing the risks of environmental stressors: Contribution to the development of integrating methodology, EU Contribution €0.9M || FP6-POLICIES Start date: 2007-03-01 End date: 2009-02-28   || Develops an integrated methodological framework to identify health risks caused by exposures to environmental factors, with a view to provide for quantitative assessment and comparison of the benefits of alternative prevention and targeted policy measures against their respective costs It includes assessment of existing information on exposure and health effects, establishment of links between exposure and health including framework and protocol development, and contribution to the WHO ECEH Environment and Health Information System (ENHIS-2). A framework for assessment of exposure and of relations between exposure and health will be developed, and piloted on studies on several exposure and health indicator relationships: exposure to atmospheric PAH and pregnancy outcome, exposure to PCBs, dibenzofurans and dioxins and neuro developmental and endocrine effects, and exposure to atmospheric particulate matter and other irritants and respiratory morbidity and mortality. || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP6_PROJ&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b286184d:f479:322c724b&RCN=84078 
 8 || INTAS 2005, Soil and compost organic matter structural compounds to promote the photo-degradation of pesticides in the environment: for a better knowledge of photoactive components, EU Contribution €150,000 || INTAS [181] Start date: 2007-01-01 End date: 2009-06-30 || Comprehensive investigation on the chemical nature of the main components of humic substances (HS) or humic-like substances (HLS) regarding photochemical activity and the photosensitising properties toward herbicides. Composted organic wastes containing HLS with high photo-inductive activity towards pollutants of the environment will be useful for a considerable improvement of wastes management especially in the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on POPs. || http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=proj.document&PJ_LANG=EN&PJ_RCN=9948460&pid=36&q=71C62A94D00BAB5E46E5AE6743DE415A&type=sim 
 9 || MESOCAT, Mesoporous Photocatalysts for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants, EU Contribution €35,000 || FP6-MOBILITY Start date: 2008-11-01 End date: 2009-10-31 || Understanding of chemical mechanisms and catalyst design factors that influence photocatalysed degradation of selected pesticides in aqueous solution || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP6_PROJ&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b2874bea:7362:14e1413a&RCN=81101 
 10 || NEWGENERIS, Development and application of biomarkers of dietary exposure to genotoxic and immunotoxic chemicals and of biomarkers of early effects, using mother-child birth cohorts and biobanks, EU Contribution €13.59M || FP6-FOOD Start date: 2006-02-01 End date: 2011-07-31 || The project will test the hypothesis that maternal exposure to dietary compounds with carcinogenic and immunotoxic properties results in in-utero exposure and molecular events in the unborn child leading to increased risk of cancer and immune disorders in later childhood. || http://www.newgeneris.org/ 
 11 || NORMAN, Network of reference laboratories for monitoring of emerging environmental pollutants, EU Contribution €1.9M || FP6-SUSTDEV Start date: 2005-09-01 End date: 2008-11-30 || It is a permanent self-sustaining network, of reference laboratories, research centres and related organisations for the monitoring and biomonitoring of emerging environmental substances. Enhance the exchange of information and collection of data on emerging environmental substances; encourage the validation and harmonisation of common measurement methods and monitoring tools so that the demands of risk assessors can be better met; ensure that knowledge on emerging pollutants is maintained and developed by stimulating coordinated, interdisciplinary projects on problem-oriented research and knowledge transfer to address identified needs. || http://www.norman-network.com/index_php.php 
 12 || OSIRIS, Optimized Strategies for Risk assessment of chemicals based on Intelligent testing, EU Contribution €10M || FP6-SUSTDEV Start date: 2007-04-01 End date: 2011-09-30 || A strong need to strengthen and advance human and environmental risk assessment knowledge and practices with regard to chemicals, in accord with the precautionary principle, for the safe manufacture and use of chemicals. Develop integrated testing strategies (ITS) fit for REACH that enable to significantly increase the use of non-testing information for regulatory decision making, and thus minimise the need for animal testing. The framework includes alternative methods such as chemical and biological read-across, in vitro results, in vivo information on analogues, qualitative and quantitative structure-activity relationships, thresholds of toxicological concern and exposure-based waiving, and takes into account cost-benefit analyses as well as societal risk perception. || http://www.osiris.ufz.de 
 13 || PHIME, Public health impact of long-term, low-level mixed element exposure in susceptible population strata, EU Contribution €13.43M || FP6-FOOD Start date: 2006-02-25 End date: 2011-08-24 || The project will epidemiologically assess the impact of toxic metals exposure through foods on diseases of public health. Some studies will utilize unique biobank material. Particular interest will be paid to interaction between toxic elements in mixed, benefits of exposures to essential elements and other dietary components and describe some aspects of risk/benefit relationships; new methods for biomonitoring of exposures will be developed and validated; define geographical patterns/sources of exposure in EU Member States, especially in children and women; assess time trends of exposure, retrospective and prospectively; explore mechanisms of uptake and distribution of toxic and essential elements in plants, which will make it possible to breed species with low concentrations of toxic elements and high of essential. This gives a possibility to change the intakes through plant foods and the transportation into animal foods. || http://www.phime.org/ 
 14 || PIONEER, Puberty onset – influence of nutritional, environmental and endogenous regulators, EU Contribution €3M || FP6-FOOD Start date: 2005-03-01 End date: 2008-02-29 || The project will help to identify genetic subpopulations that may be at high risk for early sexual maturation and develop novel experimental test models, needed for the development of preventive strategies and will study the multifaceted interactions between genetic and nutritional factors that may influence sexual maturation. Obtain updated scientific data on the age of puberty onset in the different regions of Europe; identify some genetic and nutritional factors involved in the regulation of the onset of puberty, with special reference to their interactions; develop novel experimental test models, including in vivo animal models, optimized for the investigation of genetic and nutritional factors regulating onset of puberty; define if specific actions are necessary within EU, to avoid children from maturing too early sexually. An understanding role of nutritional factors, it is of paramount importance to know, which individuals have the genetic susceptibility to environmental factors, which may cause early maturation. || http://cascade.projectcoordinator.net/~pioneer 
 15 || REP-LECOTOX, Reinforcement of research potential of laboratory for ecotoxicology, EU Contribution €290,000 || FP6-INCO Start date: 2007-01-01 End date: 2009-12-31 || Research focused on toxic impact of persistent organic pollutants on biota with special emphases on fresh water ecosystem The research activities are identification and characterization of aquatic ecotoxicity. || http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP6_PROJ&ACTION=D&DOC=1&CAT=PROJ&QUERY=0130b2852405:0c35:42addb19&RCN=90042 
Table 10                  Research
Projects with references to POPs funded by LIFE+
 No. || Acronym, Title, EU contribution || Programme, Duration time || Project reference, Objectives or Main results || More information 
 1 || WOMENBIOPOP, Linking Environment and Health: a Country-based Human Biomonitoring Study on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Women of Reproductive Age, €0,8M || Start date: 2010-04-01 End date: 2010-10-01 || LIFE08/ENV/IT/000423, To respond to the increasing demand for information on the level of exposure to POPs of environmental origin. It will focus on the subpopulation of women of reproductive age (20-40 years), whose exposure to POPs will be assessed through biomonitoring. || http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=3433 
 2 || EXPAH, Population Exposure to PAH, €2M || Start date: 2010-10-01 End date: 2013-12-31 || LIFE09 ENV/IT/000082, To address the environmental and health problems caused by the emission, dispersion and transformation of PAH compounds. || http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=3756 
[1]               http://ec.europa.eu/environment/pops/pdf/sec_2007_341.pdf 
[2]               UNECE
(United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Protocol to the 1979 Convention
on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants 
[3]           http://www.unece.org/env/lrtap/pops_h1.htm
[4]               http://www.unece.org/env/documents/2009/EB/eb/POPs/Guidance%20document%20on%20BAT.e.pdf

[5]           http://chm.pops.int/Convention/ConventionText/tabid/2232/language/en-GB/Default.aspx 
[6]                      This CAS No. covers the isomer mixture of alpha, beta, gamma, delta
and epsilon HCH. 
[7]               SEC (2007) 341
[8]     Exports of POPs are regulated under the
Rotterdam Convention with the so-called Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.
[9]               OJ L 217, 8.8.2006, p. 6
[10]             OJ L 55, 23.2.2007, p. 1
[11]             OJ L 85, 27.3.2007, p. 3
[12]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:087:0109:0154:EN:PDF 
[13]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:096:0033:0036:EN:PDF 
[14]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:223:0029:0036:EN:PDF 
[15]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:223:0020:0028:EN:PDF 
[16]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:159:0001:0004:en:PDF
[17]             The upper concentration limits are not valid for
permanent underground landfilling. Regulation 172/2007 amending Regulation
850/2004: „These limits exclusively apply to a landfill site for hazardous
waste and do not apply to permanent underground storage facilities for
hazardous wastes, including salt mines.”
[18]             http://echa.europa.eu/

[19]             http://echa.europa.eu/addressing-chemicals-of-concern/authorisation/substances-of-very-high-concern-identification
[20]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:353:0001:1355:en:PDF
[21]             http://echa.europa.eu/en/information-on-chemicals/cl-inventory
[22]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:309:0001:0050:EN:PDF
[23]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2009:0267:FIN:EN:PDF

[24]             OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39.
[25]             This task has been addressed by Commission Decision
2001/68/EC establishing two reference methods of measurement for PCBs pursuant
to Article 10(a) of Council Directive 96/59/EC.
[26]             In 2001 the Commission has drawn up a list and made it
available to the Member States
[27]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:332:0001:0016:EN:PDF

[28]             http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ecolabelled_products/product_categories_en.htm

[29]             http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/framework/framework_directive.htm

[30]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32010L0075:EN:NOT

[31]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32006R1883:EN:NOT

[32]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:084:0001:0022:EN:PDF

[33]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:314:0066:0066:EN:PDF

[34]             http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/rapidalert/index_en.htm

[35]             http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/safety/rapex/index_en.htm

[36]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:033:0001:0017:EN:PDF

[37]             Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and the
Council of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information and
repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC, OJ L 41, 28.1.2003, p. 26
[38]             See communication of the Commission COM(2001) 264 final
and the conclusions from the Gothenburg European Council. 
[39]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2009:0400:FIN:EN:PDF
[40]             http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ppps/pdf/com_2006_0372.pdf
[41]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52010DC0593:EN:NOT

[42]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2007:0396:FIN:EN:PDF
[43]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2010:0562:FIN:EN:PDF
[44]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2007:0314:FIN:EN:PDF

[45]             http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/10/st08/st08201.en10.pdf
[46]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:52001DC0031
[47]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:354:0171:0200:EN:PDF
[48]             www.unjiu.org/data/reports/2008/en2008_3.pdf

[49]             http://ec.europa.eu/environment/international_issues/pdf/agreements_en.pdf
[50]             http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/92-9167-058-8/page004.html

[51]   http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/eea32-persistent-organic-pollutant-pop-emissions-1/assessment
[52]   http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/NYM2/page005.html
[53]   http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm

[54]   http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=3433
[55]   http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=3756
[56]             http://ec.europa.eu/cip/index_en.htm
[57]             http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ngos/index_en.htm
[58]             http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/funding_en.htm

[59]             http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/agriculture/enlargement/e50020_en.htm

[60]             http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/finance/dci/environment_en.htm

[61]             http://ec.europa.eu/environment/pops/pdf/convention_stockholm_en.pdf

[62]             http://www.saicm.org/index.php?ql=h&content=home)

[63] http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/pdf/european_research_on_environment_and_health_fp6.pdf
 
[64]             NORMAN Network of reference laboratories and related
organisations for monitoring of emerging environmental pollutants; OSIRIS -
Optimized strategies for risk assessment of industrial chemicals through
integration of non-test and test information; NEWGENERIS - Newborns and
genotoxic exposure risks; DEVNERTOX - Toxic threats to the developing nervous
system; PIONEER – Puberty onset – influence of nutritional, environmental and endogenous
regulators; ATHON - Assessing the toxicity and hazard of non-dioxin-like PCBs
present in food; CASCADE – Chemicals as contaminants in the food chain; PHIME –
Public health impact of long-term, low-level mixed element exposure in
susceptible population strata; BENERIS – Benefit-risk assessment for food: an
iterative value-of information approach. 
[65]             The first ECIP summarizes the research projects of 6FP
that were granted until beginning of 2007. 
[66]             http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/pdf/fp7_catalogue_eh.pdf.

[67]             The BREFs can be downloaded from the website of the
European IPPC Bureau, http://eippcb.jrc.es/

[68]             Commission Implementing Decision 2012/119/EU of 10
February 2012 laying down rules concerning guidance on the collection of data
and on the drawing up of BAT reference documents and on their quality assurance
referred to in Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the
Council on industrial emissions, OJ L 63/1, 2.3.2012
[69]             http://ies.jrc.ec.europa.eu/the-institute/units/rural-water-and-ecosystem-resources-unit/action-22001.html
[70]             Recetox workshop “Identifying the research needs in the
global assessment of toxic compounds ten years after the signature of the
Stockholm Convention”.
[71]             http://www.recetox.muni.cz/index-en.php?pg=events--presentations-pops-workshop

[72]             http://ec.europa.eu/environment/pops/index_en.htm

[73]             http://prtr.ec.europa.eu/

[74]             http://ec.europa.eu/sanco_pesticides/public/index.cfm

[75]             http://ecb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/esis/

[76]             http://glossary.en.eea.europa.eu/terminology/sitesearch?term=persistent+organic+pollutants

[77]             According to Article 57 of the REACH Regulation; see
also section 0.
[78]             According to Article 33 of the
REACH Regulation.
[79]             BIO IS (2011): Technical Support on Reporting
Obligations and Update of the Community Implemen­tation Plan under POP
Regulation. ENV.D.3/SER/2010/0068r. Synthesis report. June 2011.
[80]             http://ec.europa.eu/environment/pops/pdf/syntesis_report2.pdf

[81]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:262:0040:0041:EN:PDF

[82]             Dicofol meets the Annex D criteria of SC
[83]   http://www.unece.org/env/lrtap/TaskForce/popsxg/2010/Exploration%20of%20management%20options%20for%20Dicofol%20final.pdf
[84]             α-, β-, γ-HCH, chlordecone, HBB, tetra-, penta-, hexa-,
and hepta- BDE, PeCB, PFOS (including salts) and PFOSF
[85]             SCCPs (short chain chlorinated paraffins), HCBD
(hexachlorobutadien) and PCN (polychlorinated naphthalenes); http://www.unece.org/env/lrtap/pops_h1.htm

[86]             ESWI (2011): Study on waste related issues of newly
listed POPs and candidate POPs. Service request under the framework contract No
ENV.G.4/FRA/2007/0066. Final report of 13 April 2011
[87]             http://ihcp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/our_databases/edexim
[88]             Represents the existing stock of the substance in
product in use. 
[89]             http://ihcp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/our_databases/edexim 
[90]             UNEP/FAO/RC/CRC.7/9/Add.2, document No. 4, November
2007
[91]             Risk profile and risk management plan by the POP RC
(UNEP/POPS/POPRC.5/10/Add.2 and UNEP/POPS/POPRC.6/13/Add.1)
[92]             Directive 2003/11/EC of the European Parliament And Of
The Council of 6 February 2003 amending for the 24th time Council Directive
76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations (pentabromodiphenyl ether,
octabromodiphenyl ether) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:042:0045:0046:EN:PDF

[93]             Commission Regulation (EC) No 552/2009 of 22 June 2009
amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the
Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of
Chemicals (REACH) as regards Annex XVII;        
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:164:0007:0031:EN:PDF

[94]             Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament And Of
The Council of 8 June 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous
substances in electrical and electronic equipment
(recast) 
[95]             Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in
the field of water policy
[96]             Regulation (EC) No 166/2006 of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 18 January 2006 concerning the establishment of a
European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register and amending Council
Directives 91/689/EEC and 96/61/EC
[97]             According to information from the European Automobile
Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the auto­motive industry voluntarily phased
out C-PentaBDE latest from 2000 even though the legislative ban came into force
only in 2004.
[98]             Other assumptions could be made that could lead to
different estimations: According to information from a car recycler, the
average age of ELVs in the Netherlands is 16 years. Assuming a corresponding
lifetime and a phase out in 2004, the majority of C-PentaBDE in automotive applications
would be disposed of around latest 2020.
[99]             Sander, K.; Schilling, S. (2010): Transboundary
shipment of waste electrical / electronic equipment / electronic scrap –
Optimization of material flows and control.  
http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/uba-info-medien/mysql_medien.php?anfrage=Kennummer&Suchwort=3933 

[100]            Prakash, S.; Manhart, A.:
Socio-economic assessment and feasibility study on sustainable e-waste
management in Ghana. Öko-Institut e.V., Freiburg, 2010.
[101]            Manhart, A.; Osibanjo, O.;
Aderinto, A.; Prakash, S.: Informal e-waste management in Lagos, Nigeria –
socio-economic impacts and feasibility of international recycling
co-operations. Lagos & Freiburg, 2011.
[102]            Schluep, M.; Manhart, A.;
Osibanjo, O.; Rochat, D.; Isarin, N.; Müller, E.: Where are WEee in Africa?
Findings from the Basel Convention E-Waste Africa Programme. Geneva, 2011.
[103]     In
the “Technical Review of the Implications of Recycling Commercial
Pentabromodiphenyl Ether and Commercial Octabromodiphenyl Ether” for the POP
Reviewing Committee (UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/2 and UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/INF/6) such
information has been compiled including information on facilities operated.
[104]            Personal Communication,
24.2.2012 with Andreas Manhart – EEE expert.
[105]     Chen
S.-J., Ma Y.-J., Wang J., Chen D, Luo, X.-J. Mai, B.-X. (2009). Brominated
Flame Retardants in Children's Toys: Concentration, Composition, and Children's
Exposure and Risk Assessment. Environ Sci Technol 43(11): 4200-
4206
[106]
           Chen, S.-J., Ma, Y.-J., Wang, J., Tian, M., Luo, X.-J., Chen, D.
Mai, B.-X. (2010). Measurement and human exposure assessment
of brominated flame retardants in household products from South China. Journal
of Hazardous Materials 176(1-3): 979-984
[107]            Directive 2006/122/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 12 December 2006 amending for the 30th time Council Directive
76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative
provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and
use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (perfluorooctane
sulfonates);         
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:372:0032:0034:EN:PDF

[108]            All figures in this section are estimations made by ESWI
2011
[109]            If waste incinerators and coal boilers would have the
estimated emission of ESWI (2011) estimate they would have to report to PRTR.
This inconsistency should be clarified.
[110]     This
suggest that other similar facilities also can be expected to have releases of
PeCB (and probably HCB[110])
considerably above 1 kg/year which would mean that for all these facilities
PeCB should have been reported in the PRTR. One reason for these
inconsistencies could possibly be the lack of measurements of PeCB and HCB in
IPPC facilities due to the lack of legal requirements for PeCB and HCB
measurements.
[111]            Stockholm Convention (2010) Information document for the
6th POP Reviewing Committee meeting (UNEP/POPs/POPRC/6/INF/21).
[112]     Weber
R, Watson A, Malkov M, Costner P, Vijgen J (2011) Unintentionally produced
hexachlorobenzene and pentachlorobenzene POPs waste from solvent production –
the need to establish emission factors and inventories. Organohalogen Compounds
73.
[113]            Weber R, Watson A, Forter M, Oliaei F. (2011) Persistent
Organic Pollutants and Landfills – A Review of Past Experiences and Future
Challenges. Waste Management & Research 29 (1) 107-121.
[114]            Heinisch E, Kettrup A, Bergheim W, Wenzel S. (2007)
Persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons, source-oriented monitoring in aquatic
media. 6. Strikingly high contaminated sites. Fresenius Environ Bull 16(10):
1248-1273.
[115]            Directive 2002/45/EC of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 25 June 2002 amending for the twentieth time Council Directive
76/769/EEC relatingto restrictions on the marketingand use of certain dangerous
substances and preparations (short-chain chlorinated paraffins)
[116]            http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:159:0001:0004:en:PDF
[117]            http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:159:0001:0004:en:PDF
[118]            UNECE (2007): Exploration of management options for
Polychlorinated Naphthalenes (PCN) Paper for the 6th meeting of the UNECE
CLRTAP Task Force on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Vienna, 4-6 June 2007. http://www.unece.org/env/lrtap/TaskForce/popsxg/2007/6thmeeting/Exploration%20of%20management%20options%20for%20PCN%20final.doc.pdf

[119]            Jakobosson, E.; Asplund, L. (2000): Polychlorinated
Naphthalenes (PCNs), The Handbook of Environ­mental Chemistry Vol. 3 Part K,
New Types of Persistant Halogenated Compounds, Chapter 5, 2000.
[120]            R1 waste treatment operations = use of waste as fuel
[121]            The concentration limits in Annex I of the POP
Regulation are a transposition of the term “unintentional trace contaminants”
as mentioned in the Convention.
[122]            Gusev A., Dutchak S., Rozovskaya O., Shatalov V.,
Sokovykh V., Vulykh N. Aas W., Breivik K. Persistent Organic Pollutants in the
Environment. EMEP Status Report 3/2011; June 2011.
[123]            http://prtr.ec.europa.eu/pgAbout.aspx

[124]            http://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
[125]            BIPRO (2009): Information Exchange on Reduction of
Dioxin Emissions from Domestic Sources. REFERENCE: 070307/2007/481007/MAR/C4.
FINAL REPORT. 09 April 2009.          
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/dioxin/pdf/report09.pdf

[126]            http://ec.europa.eu/environment/dioxin/pdf/brochure09.pdf

[127]            Weber R, Tysklind M., Gaus C. et al. (2008) Dioxin- and POP-contaminated sites—contemporary and future
relevance and challenges. Env Sci Pollut Res 15, 363-393.
[128]            Weber R, Watson A, Forter M, Oliaei F. Persistent
Organic Pollutants and Landfills - A Review of Past Experiences and Future
Challenges. Waste Management & Research 29 (1)
107-121 (2011).
[129]     (EC)
No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels
for certain contaminants in foodstuffs
[130]            BUWAL Schweizer Bundesamt für Umwelt (2010) Polychlorierte
Biphenyle (PCB) in Schweizer Gewässern. Abschlussbericht 26.04.2010. 
[131]            Federal Republic of Germany (2006) National Implementation
Plan. Berlin, 03 April 2006.
[132]            Zennegg M, Schmid P, Tremp J. PCB fish contamination in Swiss rivers – tracing the point sources.
Organohalogen Compounds, 72, 362-365 (2010).  
[133]            Tremp J. (BUWAL; Schweizer Bundesamt für Umwelt), Personal
communication 20.06. 2011
[134]            http://www.robindesbois.org/PCB/PCB_hors_serie/ATLAS_PCB.html
[135]            International HCH and Pesticide Association (2006a) The
legacy of lindane HCH isomer production. Mainreport; http://ew.eea.europa.eu/Agriculture/Agreports/obsolete_pesticides/lindane_production.pdf/
[136]            International HCH and Pesticide Association (2006b) The
legacy of lindane HCH isomer production. Annexes; http://ew.eea.europa.eu/Agriculture/Agreports/obsolete_pesticides/lindane_annexes.pdf/
[137]                  Vijgen et al..
(2011). HCH as new Stockholm Convention POPs – a global perspective on the
management of Lindane and its waste isomers. Env Sci Pollut Res. 18, 152-162 
[138]            www.ihpa.info
[139]            Heinisch E, Kettrup A, Bergheim W, Wenzel S. (2007)
Persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons, source-oriented monitoring in aquatic
media. 6. Strikingly high contaminated sites. Fresenius Environ Bull 16(10):
1248-1273.
[140]            Lutz, G.; Otto, W.; Schoenberger, H.; Neue Altlast –
hochgradig mit polychlorierten Dibenzofuranen belastete Rueckstaende aus der
Chlorerzeugung gelangten jahrzehntelang in die Umwelt, Muellmagazin 4(3), pp
55-60
[141]            Otto, W. et al.; Case study on remediation of a German
city contaminated by a chloralkali plant and PCP production, Organohalogen
Compounds 68, pp 880-885
[142]                  Wong MH et al.
(2007) Export of toxic chemicals – A review of the case of uncontrolled
electronic-waste recycling. Environmental Pollution 149, 131-140.
[143]            Weber R, Watson A, Forter M, Oliaei F. Persistent
Organic Pollutants and Landfills – A Review of Past Experiences and Future
Challenges. Waste Management & Research 29 (1) 107-121 (2011).
[144]            http://www.cohiba-project.net/.

[145]            Bantz I, Valentin I, Weber R (2011) Monitoring of PFOS
and PFC Pollution in Düsseldorf/Germany. 11th International HCH and
Pesticide Forum, Baku, Azerbaijan 7-9. September 2011. 
[146]            Kröfges P et al. (2007) PFOS/PFOA  Contaminated
Megasites in Germany Polluting the Drinkingwater Supply of Millions of People.
Organohalogen Compd. 69, 877–880 (2007).
[147]            Oliaei, F., Kriens, K.. Kessler, K. (2006) investigation
of perfluorochemical (PFC) contamination in Minnesota phase one. Report to
Senate Environment Committee February 2006.
[148]            UNEP (2011) Work programmes on
new persistent organic pollutants. 5th Conference of Parties, Geneva
21-25 April 2011 (UNEP./POPS/COP.5/15).
[149]            Skutlarek D, Exner M, Färber H (2006) Perfluorinated
Surfactants in Surface and Drinking Waters Environ Sci Pollut Res 13 (5)
299–307 (2006).
[150]                  Norwegian
Pollution Control Agency (2008) Screening of Polyfluorinated Organic Compounds
at four fire fighting training areas. TA- 2444/2008.
[151]                  State of Jersey
(2004) Jersey Airport Fireground Remediation – Deed of settlement. Lodged au Greffe on 19th October
2004.
[152]                  Bossi, R.,
Strand, J., Sortkjær, O. Larsen, M.M. (2008) Perfluoroalkyl compounds in Danish
wastewater treatment plants and aquatic environments. Environment International
34(4): 443–450.
[153]                  Busch, J. (2009)
Analysis of poly- and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in landfill effluent
using HPLC-MS/MS. Lüneburg. Bachelor thesis (Diplomarbeit).
[154]                  Woldegiorgis, A.,
Anderson, J., Remberger, M., Kaj, L. (2006). Results from the Swedish National
Screening Programme 2005. Subreport 3: Perfluorinated Alkylated Substances
(PFAS) IVL report B1698. Stockholm.
[155]            http://esis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/index.php?PGM=pbt 
[156]            Those substances that have been added to the Convention
in 2009 and 2011, are underlined.
[157]            Also, the PCB pattern from EAF have often a congener
finger print of industrial PCBs demonstrating that the main PCB release stem
from the input material and are not unintentionally formed. 
[158]            Failure to do so will inevitably result in wider human
and environmental contamination and the dispersal of brominated diphenyl ethers
into matrices from which recovery is not technically or economically feasible
and in the loss of the long-term credibility of recycling. Time is short
because articles containing brominated diphenyl ethers are already present in
many existing waste streams as a result of the time frame of former production
of these articles. Brominated diphenyl ethers should not be diluted since this
would not reduce the overall quantity in the environment. 
[159]            That is articles for which the flame retardant content
was added for the purposes of flame retardancy rather than articles which
contain some flame retardant as a consequence of contaminants in recyclate.
[160]            UNEP (2010) “Technical Review of the Implications of
Recycling Commercial Pentabromodiphenyl Ether and Commercial Octabromodiphenyl
Ether” from 6th POP Reviewing Committee meeting Geneva October 2010
(UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/2 (a) and related Annex report UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/INF/6 (b).
[161]            Hirai, Y. Sakai, S.-i. (2007). Brominated
Flame Retardants in Recycled Plastic Products. BFR2007: 4th International
Symposium on Brominated Flame Retardants.
[162]            In the “Technical Review of the Implications of
Recycling Commercial Pentabromodiphenyl Ether and Commercial Octabromodiphenyl
Ether” for the 6th POP Reviewing Committee meeting Geneva October
2010 (UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/2 (a) and UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/INF/6 (b)), such
information has been compiled including information on facilities operated.
[163]            Recycling of WEEE Plastics Containing Brominated Flame
Retardants- a Swedish perspective”, Recycling Development AB and Vascaia, made
for the Swedish EPA,2010
[164]            http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:262:0040:0041:EN:PDF

[165]   http://chm.pops.int/Convention/POPsReviewCommittee/hrPOPRCMeetings/POPRC5/POPRC5Followupcommunications/PFOSalternativesguidanceInvitationforcomments/tabid/741/language/en-US/Default.aspx

[166]            See for example http://www.carpetrecyclinguk.com 
[167]            This action had already been part of the ECIP issued in
2007 and has not yet been achieved. It is hence taken over as an action into
the current implementation plan.
[168]            Commission Regulation (EU) No 73/2013 of 25 January 2013
amending Annexes I and V to Regulation (EC) No 689/2008 of the European
Parliament and of the Council concerning the export and import of dangerous
chemicals
[169]            http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:309:0001:0050:EN:PDF
[170]            http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:167:0001:0123:EN:PDF

[171]                  Furthermore this
two facilities reporting on elevated PeCB air emissions have not reported on
HCB emissions. Since the ratio of PeCB to HCB in such thermal sources are
normally between 0.2 and 2, the HCB from these two facilities can also be
estimated in the order of several 10 kg/year and should have been reported to
PRTR. 
[172]            UNEP (2010) “Additional consideration of new persistent
organic pollutants: pentachlorobenzene” Stockholm Convention document from 6th
POP Reviewing Committee meeting (UNEP/POPS/
POPRC.6/INF/8)
[173]            The upper concentration limits are not valid for
permanent underground landfilling. Regulation 172/2007 amending Regulation
850/2004: „These limits exclusively apply to a landfill site for hazardous
waste and do not apply to permanent underground storage facilities for
hazardous wastes, including salt mines.”
[174]            BiPRO (2005): Study to facilitate the implementation of
certain waste related provisions of the Regulation on Persistent Organic
Pollutants (POPs). ENV.A.2/ETU/2004/0044. European Commission, DG Environment,
Brussels 2005. 
[175]            UNEP (2010) “Technical Review of the Implications of
Recycling Commercial Pentabromodiphenyl Ether and Commercial Octabromodiphenyl
Ether” from 6th POP Reviewing Committee meeting Geneva October 2010
((a) UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/2 and related Annex report (b) UNEP/POPs/POPRC.6/INF/6).
[176]                  Weber, R., Watson, A., Forter, M., Oliaei, F.
(2011): Persistent Organic Pollutants and
Landfills - A Review of Past Experiences and Future Challenges. Waste
Management & Research 29 (1) 107-121. 
[177]            Also the PCB pattern from EAF have often a congener
finger print of industrial PCBs demonstrating that the main PCB release stem
from the input material and are not unintentionally formed. 
[178]            http://toolkit.pops.int
[179]            http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=proj.document&PJ_RCN=7917953

[180]            http://www.eu-hbm.info
[181]                  International
Association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the
independent states of the former Soviet Union