Ending Toxic Exemptions

Three chemicals have been recommended by the POPs Review Committee (POPRC) to the 2023 Stockholm Convention Conference of the Parties for global elimination (Annex A listing). The POPRC has concluded that these chemicals are all likely, as a result of their long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and/or environmental effects, such that global action is warranted. That is, these are some of the world´s most dangerous chemicals.

The chemicals recommended for listing are:

• The pesticide methoxychlor
• The UV stabilizer UV-328 
• The flame retardant Dechlorane Plus 

IPEN supports the listing of methoxychlor in Annex A with no exemptions as recommended by the POPRC.

The POPRC recommendations for UV-328 and Dechlorane Plus include a long list of proposed broad exemptions. Some of these exemptions are proposed to last until 2044 and would allow for continued production and use of these POPs for certain purposes for two decades.  

However, the POPRC concluded in their evaluation of these chemicals that the most effective measure would be to list them without exemptions, as the aim of the Convention is to protect human health and the environment from exposures to POPs. In addition, a range of available alternatives were identified.

IPEN recommends that no exemptions be granted for Dechlorane Plus or UV-328, recognizing that viable alternatives exist and are in use. We urge that Parties promote a swift transition to safe, available alternatives. It is critically important to phase out all uses of these dangerous substances.

Read the full brief, below.