The Stockholm Convention is an international environmental treaty signed in 2001 that aims to eliminate or restrict persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. It initially targeted "the dirty dozen" worst POPs and has since added over two dozen more. India is a signatory and works to promote alternatives to POPs and implement measures to reduce their presence and impacts on human and environmental health. However, challenges remain due to the scope and pace of adding chemicals, implementation difficulties, and unintended consequences of some alternatives. The convention emphasizes international cooperation to address this global issue but continues to face obstacles from non-parties and varying country capacities.

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ICAR-INDIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
NEW DELHI- 110012
AC 510: Pesticide Residue Chemistry (2+1)
TERM PAPER
ON
STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT
ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)
Submitted to:
Dr. Neethu Narayanan (Scientist)
Division of Agricultural Chemicals
ICAR-IARI, New Delhi
Submitted by:
Prajwal Gowda M.A. (Roll No: 12292)
Ph.D. Scholar, Division of Entomology

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STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
(POPs)
Prajwal Gowda MA
Division of Entomology
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
Introduction
Stockholm Convention (also known as Stockholm Declaration) on Persistent Organic Pollutants is an
international environmental treaty, signed on 22 May 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden and effective from 17
May 2004, that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
History of the Stockholm Convention
In 1995, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) called for
global action to be taken on POPs, which it defined as "chemical substances that persist in the
environment, bio-accumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human
health and the environment". Following this, the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) and
the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) prepared an assessment of the 12 worst offenders,
known as the “dirty dozen”. The intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) met five times between
June 1998 and December 2000 to elaborate the convention, and delegates adopted the Stockholm
Convention on POPs at the Conference of the Plenipotentiaries convened from 22 to 23 May 2001
in Stockholm. Co-signatories agree to outlaw nine of the dirty dozen chemicals, limit the use
of DDT to malaria control, and curtail inadvertent production of dioxins and furans. Parties to the
convention have agreed to a process by which persistent toxic compounds can be reviewed and added to
the convention, if they meet certain criteria for persistence and transboundary threat.
The first set of new chemicals to be added to the convention were agreed at a conference in Geneva on
8 May 2009. The Stockholm Convention was adopted to EU legislation in Regulation (EC) No 850/2004. In
2019, the latter was replaced by Regulation (EU) 2019/1021.
Goal
It is to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of POPs.
Objectives of the Stockholm Convention
• Targeting additional Persistent Organic Pollutants for action.
• Implementing control measures for the Persistent Organic Pollutants.
• Reviewing and updating the National Implementation Plan.
• Finding and supporting safer alternatives to POPs.
• Cleaning up the old stockpiles.
• Including new chemicals in the program for effective evaluation.
Salient Points on Stockholm Convention
A. The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) is the designated interim financial mechanism for the
Stockholm Convention.
B. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) takes the responsibility for
developing nations and transitioning economies to help them implement Stockholm Convention
measures.
Three different annexes in the Stockholm Convention explain which POPs are to be eliminated, which
POPs are to be restricted, and which unintentionally occurring POPs are to be reduced.
▪ Annex A: Apart from a few exceptions, all the chemicals mentioned under this annexure are to be

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eliminated by the member states of the convention.
▪ Annex B: Apart from a few exceptions, all the chemicals mentioned under this annexure are to be
restricted for use by the member states of the convention.
▪ Annex C: Under this annexure, those chemicals produced unintentionally are to be reduced with
adequate and appropriate measures for ultimate elimination.
Members of the Stockholm Convention
As of September 2022, there are 186 parties to the convention (185 states and the European Union).
India is also one of the main members of the Stockholm Convention.
What are Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)?
POPs are organic chemical substances, that is, they are carbon based with unique properties that make
them resistant to environmental degradation. POPs are toxic and have an adverse impact on the health of
living organisms.
There are a number of chemical properties which POPs display once they are released into the environment,
as given below:
1. Lifetime: POPs remain in the environment for long periods. Thus, they are often known as ‘forever
chemical’.
2. Solubility: They are not readily soluble in water.
3. Distribution: POPs show an extended range of environmental transport. POPs are distributed in the
environment with the help of natural carriers like wind, water, and soil.
4. Food Chain: POPs become a part of the food chain as they quickly get accumulate in the fatty tissues
of living organisms, including humans- ‘bioaccumulation’.
5. Biomagnification: POPs concentration gets magnified with each successive trophic level. The species
at the top level of the food chain has a greater concentration of POPs and carry it along. This affects their
health adversely.
Adverse Effects of POPs
Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants can lead to chronic diseases like cancer, hypersensitivity,
etc. It can lead to damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems. It can also hamper reproductive
disorders and cause interference with normal infant and child development. Allergies and disruption of the
immune and endocrine systems are some more effects of POPs.
What does dirty dozen mean?
The Stockholm Convention initially recognized 12 POPs causing adverse effects on the environment. These
are categorized into three categories:
a) Annex A (Pesticides): Toxaphene, Heptachlor, DDT, Aldrin, Chlordane, Dieldrin, Hexachlorobenzene,
Mirex, Endrin.
b) Annex B (Industrial Chemicals): Hexachlorobenzene, Polychlorinated biphenyls.
c) Annex C (By-products): Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins & Polychlorinated dibenzofurans.
The new POPs under the Stockholm Convention
At the face-to-face segment of the tenth meeting held from 6 to 17 June 2022, the Conference of the
Parties amended Annex A to the Convention. List perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and
PFHxS-related compounds in Annex A without specific exemptions (decision SC-10/13).
Those new POPs were: Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane, Beta hexachlorocyclohexane, Chlordecone,
Decabromodiphenyl ether (Commercial mixture, DecaBDE), Dichofol, Hexabromobiphenyl,

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Hexabromocyclododecane, Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether (commercial
octabromodiphenyl ether), Hexachlorobutadiene, Lindane, Pentachlorobenzene, Pentachlorophenol, and
its salts and esters, Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS related compounds,
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF),
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA related compounds, Polychlorinated napthalenes, Short-
chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), Technical endosulfan and its related isomers, Tetrabromodiphenyl
ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether.
Chemicals proposed for listing under the Convention
Any Party may submit proposal for listing a new chemical in Annex A, B, or C of the Convention. The
POPs Review Committee evaluates the proposals and makes recommendations to the Conference of the
Parties on such listing in accordance with Article 8 of the Convention.
Currently, the following chemicals are under review:
1. Chlorinated paraffins
2. LC-PFCAs
3. Chlorpyriphos
Primary Sources of Persistent Organic Compounds
Several studies and research have been conducted to identify the sources and emissions of POPs during the
last two decades. These studies have been conducted at regional and global scales. Significant knowledge
has been achieved in understanding the sources of some pesticides. However, the quantitative
understanding of the emission processes for non-pesticide POPs is still considered limited. Some of the
main sources that have been identified are as follows:
Combustion processes and elevated temperatures.
Improper use and disposal of industrial chemicals and agrochemicals.
Production of unwanted by-products through industrial processes and combustion.
Is India a member of Stockholm convention?
Yes, India is a party to the Stockholm Convention. In May 2002, India signed the global treaty
whereas it brought it in force in January 2006.
Stockholm Convention POPs and India
As per the Energy and Resources Institute report on POPs, the level of POPs in the environment of
India is extremely high because of the poor management of industrial, municipal, and e-wastes. The
Stockholm Convention has exempted India from the ban on DDT. India can use and produce DDT as per
the Stockholm Convention but only to control insect-borne diseases. DDT cannot be used in agriculture or
any other field.
❖ India is working actively with the Stockholm convention to promote non-POPs alternatives. As per the
Insecticide Act of 1968, listed POPs have been banned for use, manufacture, and import. India
submitted its National Implementation Plan (NIP) on POPs in 2011.
❖ In 2020, the Union Cabinet approved ratifying seven chemicals or organic compounds listed under the
Stockholm Convention on POPs.
❖ The Unions Cabinet further delegated its powers to ratify chemicals under the Stockholm Convention
to the Ministries of External Affairs, Environment, Forest, and Climate Change concerning POPs for
streamlining the procedure. The ratification process benefits India as it would enable India to access
GEF financial resources in updating the NIP.

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Stockholm+50 under the theme “a healthy planet for the prosperity of all- our responsibility, our
opportunity”
Stockholm+50 was held in Stockholm, Sweden, to commemorate the 50 years since the 1972 United
Nations Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference). This meeting
was held when the world faced a global crisis of pollution and waste, climate change, nature, and
biodiversity loss. One of the important agendas of the meeting also included the discussion on the
sustainable recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic. In the meeting, specific deadlines were set for
realizing the goals of a sustainable environment free from harmful organic compounds like POPs, pollution,
and waste.
Advantages of Stockholm Convention
o Reduced Health Risks: The Convention aims to eliminate or restrict the use of POPs, which are toxic
chemicals that can persist in the environment for long periods.
o Biodiversity Preservation: POPs can accumulate in living organisms and move through food chains,
leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The Convention helps preserve biodiversity by
preventing the negative impact of POPs on various species and ecosystems.
o Global Cooperation: The Convention fosters international cooperation by bringing together countries
to collectively address the issue of POPs. This united effort enhances information sharing, technology
transfer, and capacity-building, which are essential for effective POPs management.
o Alternatives and Best Practices: By promoting the phase-out of POPs, the Convention encourages the
development and use of safer alternatives and technologies. This shift spurs innovation and the adoption
of more sustainable practices.
o Long-Term Environmental Protection: The Convention's regulations and strategies contribute to the
reduction of long-lasting pollutants, ensuring a cleaner environment for future generations.
o Indigenous and Local Community Involvement: The Convention acknowledges the knowledge and
roles of indigenous and local communities in POPs management. This inclusion ensures that their
traditional knowledge is considered in decision-making processes.
o Public Awareness and Education: The Convention raises awareness about the dangers of POPs and
the importance of their control. It promotes education and information dissemination, encouraging
individuals to make informed choices that contribute to reducing POPs exposure.
o Precautionary Principle: Even if the full extent of harm caused by POPs is not yet fully understood,
preventive actions are taken to minimize potential risks.
o Legally Binding Commitments: Participating countries commit to implementing the measures
outlined in the Convention, creating a legally binding framework that ensures their active engagement
in addressing the POPs issue.
o Monitoring and Reporting: The Convention establishes mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on
the presence of POPs, their sources, and their levels.
o Economic Benefits: The long-term benefits include reduced healthcare costs, improved environmental
quality, and the potential for the growth of sustainable industries.
Challenges Faced by the Stockholm Convention
Since its inception, global politics has adversely impacted the Stockholm Convention. Many countries
have expressed their concerns regarding the supremacy and domination of rich countries and said that
policies that are made by the conference are inclined more towards the interest of industrialized and
wealthier countries. The biggest hurdle in the way of adopting sustainable measures across the globe is the
presence of poverty. Unless the developing or poor countries are in a position to provide adequate
employment to the people, the policies and decisions toward a sustainable environment cannot be

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implemented properly.
Limitations of Stockholm Convention
✓ Scope of Chemicals: The convention covers only a limited number of POPs, leaving out many other
potentially harmful chemicals that could have adverse effects on human health and the environment.
✓ Newly Emerging POPs: The process to add new POPs to the convention can be slow and cumbersome,
which means that newly identified POPs might not be regulated in a timely manner.
✓ Implementation Challenges: Developing countries may lack the technical and financial resources to
effectively implement the convention's provisions, leading to uneven enforcement and monitoring.
✓ Stockpiles and Waste Management: The convention doesn't provide comprehensive guidelines for
the disposal of existing stockpiles of POPs, leading to potential risks if not managed properly.
✓ Exemptions: The convention allows for certain exemptions in cases where POPs are deemed necessary
for specific uses, potentially leading to continued production and use of these chemicals in some cases.
Controversies of Stockholm Convention
• Unintended Consequences of Alternatives: Some of the alternatives to banned POPs, introduced as
a result of the convention, have been found to have negative environmental and health impacts
themselves.
• Pesticide Use in Developing Countries: The convention's restriction on certain pesticides has led to
concerns about decreased food production in developing countries.
• Interference with Customary Practices: In some cases, the convention's regulations have clashed
with traditional practices, such as the use of DDT for malaria control in certain regions.
• Lack of Mechanisms for Addressing Non-Parties: Some countries are not parties to the convention,
which can create "pollution havens" where POPs production and use continue without restrictions.
• Economic Impact: The transition away from certain chemicals due to the convention's regulations can
have economic impacts on industries and communities.
• Data and Information Sharing: Limited data availability and reluctance to share information can
hinder effective decision-making and monitoring of POPs.
• Enforcement and Monitoring: Ensuring compliance and monitoring the implementation of the
convention's provisions can be challenging due to varying capacities and priorities among participating
countries.
Conclusion
Stockholm Convention is considered as a step towards a detoxified future. It seeks to eliminate or
restrict the production, use, and release of certain POPs. The convention has led to significant progress in
reducing the presence of these pollutants, but challenges remain in achieving complete elimination and
managing legacy POPs. The convention emphasizes the importance of Prior Informed Consent (PIC) for
the import and export of chemicals, ensuring that countries are aware of the risks associated with POPs.
Even countries that are not parties to the convention can be affected by it, as the international trade of POPs
is restricted. It also encourages coordination with other environmental agreements, such as the Basel
Convention on hazardous waste and the Rotterdam Convention on hazardous chemicals. The Stockholm
Convention plays a crucial role in addressing the global issue of POPs by promoting international
cooperation, safeguarding human health and the environment, and driving the adoption of safer alternatives.

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