{"id":3560,"date":"2019-06-09T01:53:41","date_gmt":"2019-06-09T01:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/english.bashariyat.org\/?p=3560"},"modified":"2019-06-09T14:36:36","modified_gmt":"2019-06-09T14:36:36","slug":"stockholm-convention-on-persistent-organic-pollutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english.bashariyat.org\/?p=3560","title":{"rendered":"Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Parties to this Convention,
\nRecognizing<\/strong><\/em> that persistent organic pollutants possess toxic properties, resist
\ndegradation, bioaccumulate and are transported, through air, water and migratory species,
\nacross international boundaries and deposited far from their place of release, where they
\naccumulate in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,<\/p>\n

Aware<\/strong><\/em> of the health concerns, especially in developing countries, resulting from local
\nexposure to persistent organic pollutants, in particular impacts upon women and, through
\nthem, upon future generations,<\/p>\n

Acknowledging<\/strong><\/em> that the Arctic ecosystems and indigenous communities are particularly
\nat risk because of the biomagnification of persistent organic pollutants and that contamination
\nof their traditional foods is a public health issue,<\/p>\n

Conscious<\/strong><\/em> of the need for global action on persistent organic pollutants,<\/p>\n

Mindful<\/strong><\/em> of decision 19\/13 C of 7 February 1997 of the Governing Council of the
\nUnited Nations Environment Program to initiate international action to protect human
\nhealth and the environment through measures which will reduce and\/or eliminate emissions
\nand discharges of persistent organic pollutants,<\/p>\n

Recalling<\/strong><\/em> the pertinent provisions of the relevant international environmental
\nconventions, especially the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure
\nfor Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, and the Basel
\nConvention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their
\nDisposal including the regional agreements developed within the framework of its Article 11,<\/p>\n

Recalling<\/strong><\/em> also the pertinent provisions of the Rio Declaration on Environment and
\nDevelopment and Agenda 21,<\/p>\n

Acknowledging<\/strong><\/em> that precaution underlies the concerns of all the Parties and is
\nembedded within this Convention,<\/p>\n

Recognizing<\/strong><\/em> that this Convention and other international agreements in the field of
\ntrade and the environment are mutually supportive,<\/p>\n

Reaffirming<\/strong><\/em> that States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and
\nthe principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources
\npursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies, and the responsibility to
\nensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the
\nenvironment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction,<\/p>\n

Taking<\/strong><\/em> into account the circumstances and particular requirements of developing
\ncountries, in particular the least developed among them, and countries with economies in
\ntransition, especially the need to strengthen their national capabilities for the management of
\nchemicals, including through the transfer of technology, the provision of financial and
\ntechnical assistance and the promotion of cooperation among the Parties,<\/p>\n

Taking<\/strong><\/em> full account of the Program of Action for the Sustainable Development of
\nSmall Island Developing States, adopted in Barbados on 6 May 1994,<\/p>\n

Noting<\/strong><\/em> the respective capabilities of developed and developing countries, as well as the
\ncommon but differentiated responsibilities of States as set forth in Principle 7 of the Rio
\nDeclaration on Environment and Development,<\/p>\n

Recognizing<\/strong><\/em> the important contribution that the private sector and non-governmental
\norganizations can make to achieving the reduction and\/or elimination of emissions and
\ndischarges of persistent organic pollutants,<\/p>\n

Underlining<\/strong><\/em> the importance of manufacturers of persistent organic pollutants taking
\nresponsibility for reducing adverse effects caused by their products and for providing
\ninformation to users, Governments and the public on the hazardous properties of those
\nchemicals,<\/p>\n

Conscious<\/strong><\/em> of the need to take measures to prevent adverse effects caused by persistent
\norganic pollutants at all stages of their life cycle,<\/p>\n

Reaffirming<\/strong><\/em> Principle 16 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
\nwhich states that national authorities should endeavor to promote the internalization of
\nenvironmental costs and the use of economic instruments, taking into account the approach
\nthat the polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution, with due regard to the public
\ninterest and without distorting international trade and investment,<\/p>\n

Encouraging<\/strong><\/em> Parties not having regulatory and assessment schemes for pesticides and
\nindustrial chemicals to develop such schemes,<\/p>\n

Recognizing<\/strong><\/em> the importance of developing and using environmentally sound alternative
\nprocesses and chemicals,<\/p>\n

Determined<\/strong><\/em> to protect human health and the environment from the harmful impacts of
\npersistent organic pollutants,
\nHave agreed as follows:<\/p>\n

Article 1<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nObjective<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nMindful of the precautionary approach as set forth in Principle 15 of the Rio
\nDeclaration on Environment and Development, the objective of this Convention is to protect
\nhuman health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants.<\/p>\n

Article 2<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nDefinitions<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nFor the purposes of this Convention:
\n(a) \u201cParty\u201d means a State or regional economic integration organization that has
\nconsented to be bound by this Convention and for which the Convention is in force;
\n(b) \u201cRegional economic integration organization\u201d means an organization constituted
\nby sovereign States of a given region to which its member States have transferred competence
\nin respect of matters governed by this Convention and which has been duly authorized, in
\naccordance with its internal procedures, to sign, ratify, accept, approve or accede to this
\nConvention;
\n(c) \u201cParties present and voting\u201d means Parties present and casting an affirmative or
\nnegative vote.<\/p>\n

Article 3<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nMeasures to reduce or eliminate releases from intentional production and use<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Each Party shall:<\/p>\n

(a) Prohibit and\/or take the legal and administrative measures necessary to eliminate:<\/p>\n

(i) Its production and use of the chemicals listed in Annex A subject to the
\nprovisions of that Annex; and
\n(ii) Its import and export of the chemicals listed in Annex A in accordance with
\nthe provisions of paragraph 2; and<\/p>\n

(b) Restrict its production and use of the chemicals listed in Annex B in accordance
\nwith the provisions of that Annex.<\/p>\n

2. Each Party shall take measures to ensure:<\/p>\n

(a) That a chemical listed in Annex A or Annex B is imported only:<\/p>\n

(i) For the purpose of environmentally sound disposal as set forth in paragraph
\n1 (d) of Article 6; or
\n(ii) For a use or purpose which is permitted for that Party under Annex A or
\nAnnex B;<\/p>\n

(b) That a chemical listed in Annex A for which any production or use specific
\nexemption is in effect or a chemical listed in Annex B for which any production or use
\nspecific exemption or acceptable purpose is in effect, taking into account any relevant
\nprovisions in existing international prior informed consent instruments, is exported only:<\/p>\n

(i) For the purpose of environmentally sound disposal as set forth in paragraph
\n1 (d) of Article 6;
\n(ii) To a Party which is permitted to use that chemical under Annex A or
\nAnnex B; or
\n(iii) To a State not Party to this Convention which has provided an annual
\ncertification to the exporting Party. Such certification shall specify the
\nintended use of the chemical and include a statement that, with respect to
\nthat chemical, the importing State is committed to:<\/p>\n

a. Protect human health and the environment by taking the necessary
\nmeasures to minimize or prevent releases;
\nb. Comply with the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 6; and
\nc. Comply, where appropriate, with the provisions of paragraph 2 of Part
\nII of Annex B.<\/p>\n

The certification shall also include any appropriate supporting
\ndocumentation, such as legislation, regulatory instruments, or administrative
\nor policy guidelines. The exporting Party shall transmit the certification to
\nthe Secretariat within sixty days of receipt.<\/p>\n

(c) That a chemical listed in Annex A, for which production and use specific
\nexemptions are no longer in effect for any Party, is not exported from it except for the purpose
\nof environmentally sound disposal as set forth in paragraph 1 (d) of Article 6;
\n(d) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term \u201cState not Party to this Convention\u201d
\nshall include, with respect to a particular chemical, a State or regional economic integration
\norganization that has not agreed to be bound by the Convention with respect to that chemical.<\/p>\n

3. Each Party that has one or more regulatory and assessment schemes for new pesticides
\nor new industrial chemicals shall take measures to regulate with the aim of preventing the
\nproduction and use of new pesticides or new industrial chemicals which, taking into
\nconsideration the criteria in paragraph 1 of Annex D, exhibit the characteristics of persistent
\norganic pollutants.
\n4. Each Party that has one or more regulatory and assessment schemes for pesticides or
\nindustrial chemicals shall, where appropriate, take into consideration within these schemes the
\ncriteria in paragraph 1 of Annex D when conducting assessments of pesticides or industrial
\nchemicals currently in use.
\n5. Except as otherwise provided in this Convention, paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to
\nquantities of a chemical to be used for laboratory-scale research or as a reference standard.
\n6. Any Party that has a specific exemption in accordance with Annex A or a specific
\nexemption or an acceptable purpose in accordance with Annex B shall take appropriate
\nmeasures to ensure that any production or use under such exemption or purpose is carried out
\nin a manner that prevents or minimizes human exposure and release into the environment.
\nFor exempted uses or acceptable purposes that involve intentional release into the
\nenvironment under conditions of normal use, such release shall be to the minimum extent
\nnecessary, taking into account any applicable standards and guidelines.<\/p>\n

Article 4<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nRegister of specific exemptions<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. A Register is hereby established for the purpose of identifying the Parties that have
\nspecific exemptions listed in Annex A or Annex B. It shall not identify Parties that make use
\nof the provisions in Annex A or Annex B that may be exercised by all Parties. The Register
\nshall be maintained by the Secretariat and shall be available to the public.
\n2. The Register shall include:<\/p>\n

(a) A list of the types of specific exemptions reproduced from Annex A and
\nAnnex B;
\n(b) A list of the Parties that have a specific exemption listed under Annex A or
\nAnnex B; and
\n(c) A list of the expiry dates for each registered specific exemption.<\/p>\n

3. Any State may, on becoming a Party, by means of a notification in writing to the
\nSecretariat, register for one or more types of specific exemptions listed in Annex A or Annex
\nB.
\n4. Unless an earlier date is indicated in the Register by a Party, or an extension is granted
\npursuant to paragraph 7, all registrations of specific exemptions shall expire five years after
\nthe date of entry into force of this Convention with respect to a particular chemical.
\n5. At its first meeting, the Conference of the Parties shall decide upon its review process
\nfor the entries in the Register.
\n6. Prior to a review of an entry in the Register, the Party concerned shall submit a report to
\nthe Secretariat justifying its continuing need for registration of that exemption. The report
\nshall be circulated by the Secretariat to all Parties. The review of a registration shall be
\ncarried out on the basis of all available information. Thereupon, the Conference of the Parties
\nmay make such recommendations to the Party concerned as it deems appropriate.
\n7. The Conference of the Parties may, upon request from the Party concerned, decide to
\nextend the expiry date of a specific exemption for a period of up to five years. In making its
\ndecision, the Conference of the Parties shall take due account of the special circumstances of
\nthe developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition.
\n8. A Party may, at any time, withdraw an entry from the Register for a specific exemption
\nupon written notification to the Secretariat. The withdrawal shall take effect on the date
\nspecified in the notification.
\n9. When there are no longer any Parties registered for a particular type of specific
\nexemption, no new registrations may be made with respect to it.<\/p>\n

Article 5<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nMeasures to reduce or eliminate releases from unintentional production<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nEach Party shall at a minimum take the following measures to reduce the total releases
\nderived from anthropogenic sources of each of the chemicals listed in Annex C, with the goal
\nof their continuing minimization and, where feasible, ultimate elimination:
\n(a) Develop an action plan or, where appropriate, a regional or subregional action
\nplan within two years of the date of entry into force of this Convention for it, and
\nsubsequently implement it as part of its implementation plan specified in Article 7, designed
\nto identify, characterize and address the release of the chemicals listed in Annex C and to
\nfacilitate implementation of subparagraphs (b) to (e). The action plan shall include the
\nfollowing elements:<\/p>\n

(i) An evaluation of current and projected releases, including the development
\nand maintenance of source inventories and release estimates, taking into
\nconsideration the source categories identified in Annex C;
\n(ii) An evaluation of the efficacy of the laws and policies of the Party relating to
\nthe management of such releases;
\n(iii) Strategies to meet the obligations of this paragraph, taking into account the
\nevaluations in (i) and (ii);
\n(iv) Steps to promote education and training with regard to, and awareness of,
\nthose strategies;
\n(v) A review every five years of those strategies and of their success in meeting
\nthe obligations of this paragraph; such reviews shall be included in reports
\nsubmitted pursuant to Article 15;
\n(vi) A schedule for implementation of the action plan, including for the
\nstrategies and measures identified therein;<\/p>\n

(b) Promote the application of available, feasible and practical measures that can
\nexpeditiously achieve a realistic and meaningful level of release reduction or source
\nelimination;
\n(c) Promote the development and, where it deems appropriate, require the use of
\nsubstitute or modified materials, products and processes to prevent the formation and release
\nof the chemicals listed in Annex C, taking into consideration the general guidance on
\nprevention and release reduction measures in Annex C and guidelines to be adopted by
\ndecision of the Conference of the Parties;
\n(d) Promote and, in accordance with the implementation schedule of its action plan,
\nrequire the use of best available techniques for new sources within source categories which a
\nParty has identified as warranting such action in its action plan, with a particular initial focus
\non source categories identified in Part II of Annex C. In any case, the requirement to use best
\navailable techniques for new sources in the categories listed in Part II of that Annex shall be
\nphased in as soon as practicable but no later than four years after the entry into force of the
\nConvention for that Party. For the identified categories, Parties shall promote the use of best
\nenvironmental practices. When applying best available techniques and best environmental
\npractices, Parties should take into consideration the general guidance on prevention and
\nrelease reduction measures in that Annex and guidelines on best available techniques and best
\nenvironmental practices to be adopted by decision of the Conference of the Parties;
\n(e) Promote, in accordance with its action plan, the use of best available techniques
\nand best environmental practices:<\/p>\n

(i) For existing sources, within the source categories listed in Part II of Annex
\nC and within source categories such as those in Part III of that Annex; and
\n(ii) For new sources, within source categories such as those listed in Part III of
\nAnnex C which a Party has not addressed under subparagraph (d).
\nWhen applying best available techniques and best environmental practices, Parties should take
\ninto consideration the general guidance on prevention and release reduction measures in Annex
\nC and guidelines on best available techniques and best environmental practices to be adopted
\nby decision of the Conference of the Parties;<\/p>\n

(f) For the purposes of this paragraph and Annex C:<\/p>\n

(i) \u201cBest available techniques\u201d means the most effective and advanced stage in
\nthe development of activities and their methods of operation which indicate
\nthe practical suitability of particular techniques for providing in principle
\nthe basis for release limitations designed to prevent and, where that is not
\npracticable, generally to reduce releases of chemicals listed in Part I of
\nAnnex C and their impact on the environment as a whole. In this regard:
\n(ii) \u201cTechniques\u201d includes both the technology used and the way in which the
\ninstallation is designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned;
\n(iii) \u201cAvailable\u201d techniques means those techniques that are accessible to the
\noperator and that are developed on a scale that allows implementation in the
\nrelevant industrial sector, under economically and technically viable
\nconditions, taking into consideration the costs and advantages; and
\n(iv) \u201cBest\u201d means most effective in achieving a high general level of protection
\nof the environment as a whole;
\n(v) \u201cBest environmental practices\u201d means the application of the most
\nappropriate combination of environmental control measures and strategies;
\n(vi) \u201cNew source\u201d means any source of which the construction or substantial
\nmodification is commenced at least one year after the date of:<\/p>\n

a. Entry into force of this Convention for the Party concerned; or
\nb. Entry into force for the Party concerned of an amendment to Annex C
\nwhere the source becomes subject to the provisions of this
\nConvention only by virtue of that amendment.<\/p>\n

(g) Release limit values or performance standards may be used by a Party to fulfill its
\ncommitments for best available techniques under this paragraph.<\/p>\n

Article 6<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nMeasures to reduce or eliminate releases from stockpiles and wastes<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. In order to ensure that stockpiles consisting of or containing chemicals listed either in
\nAnnex A or Annex B and wastes, including products and articles upon becoming wastes,
\nconsisting of, containing or contaminated with a chemical listed in Annex A, B or C, are
\nmanaged in a manner protective of human health and the environment, each Party shall:<\/p>\n

(a) Develop appropriate strategies for identifying:<\/p>\n

(i) Stockpiles consisting of or containing chemicals listed either in Annex A or
\nAnnex B; and
\n(ii) Products and articles in use and wastes consisting of, containing or
\ncontaminated with a chemical listed in Annex A, B or C;<\/p>\n

(b) Identify, to the extent practicable, stockpiles consisting of or containing chemicals
\nlisted either in Annex A or Annex B on the basis of the strategies referred to in subparagraph
\n(a);
\n(c) Manage stockpiles, as appropriate, in a safe, efficient and environmentally sound
\nmanner. Stockpiles of chemicals listed either in Annex A or Annex B, after they are no
\nlonger allowed to be used according to any specific exemption specified in Annex A or any
\nspecific exemption or acceptable purpose specified in Annex B, except stockpiles which are
\nallowed to be exported according to paragraph 2 of Article 3, shall be deemed to be waste and
\nshall be managed in accordance with subparagraph (d);
\n(d) Take appropriate measures so that such wastes, including products and articles
\nupon becoming wastes, are:<\/p>\n

(i) Handled, collected, transported and stored in an environmentally sound
\nmanner;
\n(ii) Disposed of in such a way that the persistent organic pollutant content is
\ndestroyed or irreversibly transformed so that they do not exhibit the
\ncharacteristics of persistent organic pollutants or otherwise disposed of in an
\nenvironmentally sound manner when destruction or irreversible
\ntransformation does not represent the environmentally preferable option or
\nthe persistent organic pollutant content is low, taking into account
\ninternational rules, standards, and guidelines, including those that may be
\ndeveloped pursuant to paragraph 2, and relevant global and regional
\nregimes governing the management of hazardous wastes;
\n(iii) Not permitted to be subjected to disposal operations that may lead to
\nrecovery, recycling, reclamation, direct reuse or alternative uses of
\npersistent organic pollutants; and
\n(iv) Not transported across international boundaries without taking into account
\nrelevant international rules, standards and guidelines;<\/p>\n

(e) Endeavor to develop appropriate strategies for identifying sites contaminated by
\nchemicals listed in Annex A, B or C; if remediation of those sites is undertaken it shall be
\nperformed in an environmentally sound manner.<\/p>\n

2. The Conference of the Parties shall cooperate closely with the appropriate bodies of the
\nBasel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and
\ntheir Disposal to, inter alia:<\/p>\n

(a) Establish levels of destruction and irreversible transformation necessary to ensure
\nthat the characteristics of persistent organic pollutants as specified in paragraph 1 of Annex D
\nare not exhibited;
\n(b) Determine what they consider to be the methods that constitute environmentally
\nsound disposal referred to above; and
\n(c) Work to establish, as appropriate, the concentration levels of the chemicals listed
\nin Annexes A, B and C in order to define the low persistent organic pollutant content referred
\nto in paragraph 1 (d) (ii).<\/p>\n

Article 7<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nImplementation plans<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Each Party shall:<\/p>\n

(a) Develop and endeavour to implement a plan for the implementation of its
\nobligations under this Convention;
\n(b) Transmit its implementation plan to the Conference of the Parties within two
\nyears of the date on which this Convention enters into force for it; and
\n(c) Review and update, as appropriate, its implementation plan on a periodic basis
\nand in a manner to be specified by a decision of the Conference of the Parties.<\/p>\n

2. The Parties shall, where appropriate, cooperate directly or through global, regional and
\nsubregional organizations, and consult their national stakeholders, including women\u2019s groups
\nand groups involved in the health of children, in order to facilitate the development,
\nimplementation and updating of their implementation plans.
\n3. The Parties shall endeavor to utilize and, where necessary, establish the means to
\nintegrate national implementation plans for persistent organic pollutants in their sustainable
\ndevelopment strategies where appropriate.<\/p>\n

Article 8<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nListing of chemicals in Annexes A, B and C<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. A Party may submit a proposal to the Secretariat for listing a chemical in Annexes A, B
\nand\/or C. The proposal shall contain the information specified in Annex D. In developing a
\nproposal, a Party may be assisted by other Parties and\/or by the Secretariat.
\n2. The Secretariat shall verify whether the proposal contains the information specified in
\nAnnex D. If the Secretariat is satisfied that the proposal contains the information so specified,
\nit shall forward the proposal to the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee.
\n3. The Committee shall examine the proposal and apply the screening criteria specified in
\nAnnex D in a flexible and transparent way, taking all information provided into account in an
\nintegrative and balanced manner.
\n4. If the Committee decides that:<\/p>\n

(a) It is satisfied that the screening criteria have been fulfilled, it shall, through the
\nSecretariat, make the proposal and the evaluation of the Committee available to all Parties and
\nobservers and invite them to submit the information specified in Annex E; or
\n(b) It is not satisfied that the screening criteria have been fulfilled, it shall, through
\nthe Secretariat, inform all Parties and observers and make the proposal and the evaluation of
\nthe Committee available to all Parties and the proposal shall be set aside.<\/p>\n

5. Any Party may resubmit a proposal to the Committee that has been set aside by the
\nCommittee pursuant to paragraph 4. The resubmission may include any concerns of the Party
\nas well as a justification for additional consideration by the Committee. If, following this
\nprocedure, the Committee again sets the proposal aside, the Party may challenge the decision
\nof the Committee and the Conference of the Parties shall consider the matter at its next
\nsession. The Conference of the Parties may decide, based on the screening criteria in Annex
\nD and taking into account the evaluation of the Committee and any additional information
\nprovided by any Party or observer, that the proposal should proceed.
\n6. Where the Committee has decided that the screening criteria have been fulfilled, or the
\nConference of the Parties has decided that the proposal should proceed, the Committee shall
\nfurther review the proposal, taking into account any relevant additional information received,
\nand shall prepare a draft risk profile in accordance with Annex E. It shall, through the
\nSecretariat, make that draft available to all Parties and observers, collect technical comments
\nfrom them and, taking those comments into account, complete the risk profile.
\n7. If, on the basis of the risk profile conducted in accordance with Annex E, the
\nCommittee decides:<\/p>\n

(a) That the chemical is likely as a result of its long-range environmental transport to
\nlead to significant adverse human health and\/or environmental effects such that global action
\nis warranted, the proposal shall proceed. Lack of full scientific certainty shall not prevent the
\nproposal from proceeding. The Committee shall, through the Secretariat, invite information
\nfrom all Parties and observers relating to the considerations specified in Annex F. It shall
\nthen prepare a risk management evaluation that includes an analysis of possible control
\nmeasures for the chemical in accordance with that Annex; or
\n(b) That the proposal should not proceed, it shall, through the Secretariat, make the
\nrisk profile available to all Parties and observers and set the proposal aside.<\/p>\n

8. For any proposal set aside pursuant to paragraph 7 (b), a Party may request the
\nConference of the Parties to consider instructing the Committee to invite additional
\ninformation from the proposing Party and other Parties during a period not to exceed one
\nyear. After that period and on the basis of any information received, the Committee shall
\nreconsider the proposal pursuant to paragraph 6 with a priority to be decided by the
\nConference of the Parties. If, following this procedure, the Committee again sets the proposal
\naside, the Party may challenge the decision of the Committee and the Conference of the
\nParties shall consider the matter at its next session. The Conference of the Parties may
\ndecide, based on the risk profile prepared in accordance with Annex E and taking into account
\nthe evaluation of the Committee and any additional information provided by any Party or
\nobserver, that the proposal should proceed. If the Conference of the Parties decides that the
\nproposal shall proceed, the Committee shall then prepare the risk management evaluation.
\n9. The Committee shall, based on the risk profile referred to in paragraph 6 and the risk
\nmanagement evaluation referred to in paragraph 7 (a) or paragraph 8, recommend whether the
\nchemical should be considered by the Conference of the Parties for listing in Annexes A, B
\nand\/or C. The Conference of the Parties, taking due account of the recommendations of the
\nCommittee, including any scientific uncertainty, shall decide, in a precautionary manner,
\nwhether to list the chemical, and specify its related control measures, in Annexes A, B and\/or
\nC.<\/p>\n

Article 9<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nInformation exchange<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Each Party shall facilitate or undertake the exchange of information relevant to:<\/p>\n

(a) The reduction or elimination of the production, use and release of persistent
\norganic pollutants; and
\n(b) Alternatives to persistent organic pollutants, including information relating to
\ntheir risks as well as to their economic and social costs.<\/p>\n

2. The Parties shall exchange the information referred to in paragraph 1 directly or through
\nthe Secretariat.
\n3. Each Party shall designate a national focal point for the exchange of such information.
\n4. The Secretariat shall serve as a clearing-house mechanism for information on persistent
\norganic pollutants, including information provided by Parties, intergovernmental
\norganizations and non-governmental organizations.
\n5. For the purposes of this Convention, information on health and safety of humans and
\nthe environment shall not be regarded as confidential. Parties that exchange other information
\npursuant to this Convention shall protect any confidential information as mutually agreed.<\/p>\n

Article 10<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nPublic information, awareness and education<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Each Party shall, within its capabilities, promote and facilitate:<\/p>\n

(a) Awareness among its policy and decision makers with regard to persistent organic
\npollutants;
\n(b) Provision to the public of all available information on persistent organic
\npollutants, taking into account paragraph 5 of Article 9;
\n(c) Development and implementation, especially for women, children and the least
\neducated, of educational and public awareness programs on persistent organic pollutants,
\nas well as on their health and environmental effects and on their alternatives;
\n(d) Public participation in addressing persistent organic pollutants and their health
\nand environmental effects and in developing adequate responses, including opportunities for
\nproviding input at the national level regarding implementation of this Convention;
\n(e) Training of workers, scientists, educators and technical and managerial personnel;
\n(f) Development and exchange of educational and public awareness materials at the
\nnational and international levels; and
\n(g) Development and implementation of education and training programs at the
\nnational and international levels.<\/p>\n

2. Each Party shall, within its capabilities, ensure that the public has access to the public
\ninformation referred to in paragraph 1 and that the information is kept up-to-date.
\n3. Each Party shall, within its capabilities, encourage industry and professional users to
\npromote and facilitate the provision of the information referred to in paragraph 1 at the
\nnational level and, as appropriate, subregional, regional and global levels.
\n4. In providing information on persistent organic pollutants and their alternatives, Parties
\nmay use safety data sheets, reports, mass media and other means of communication, and may
\nestablish information centers at national and regional levels.
\n5. Each Party shall give sympathetic consideration to developing mechanisms, such as
\npollutant release and transfer registers, for the collection and dissemination of information on
\nestimates of the annual quantities of the chemicals listed in Annex A, B or C that are released
\nor disposed of.<\/p>\n

Article 11<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nResearch, development and monitoring<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. The Parties shall, within their capabilities, at the national and international levels,
\nencourage and\/or undertake appropriate research, development, monitoring and cooperation
\npertaining to persistent organic pollutants and, where relevant, to their alternatives and to
\ncandidate persistent organic pollutants, including on their:<\/p>\n

(a) Sources and releases into the environment;
\n(b) Presence, levels and trends in humans and the environment;
\n(c) Environmental transport, fate and transformation;
\n(d) Effects on human health and the environment;
\n(e) Socio-economic and cultural impacts;
\n(f) Release reduction and\/or elimination; and
\n(g) Harmonized methodologies for making inventories of generating sources and
\nanalytical techniques for the measurement of releases.<\/p>\n

2. In undertaking action under paragraph 1, the Parties shall, within their capabilities:<\/p>\n

(a) Support and further develop, as appropriate, international programs, networks
\nand organizations aimed at defining, conducting, assessing and financing research, data
\ncollection and monitoring, taking into account the need to minimize duplication of effort;
\n(b) Support national and international efforts to strengthen national scientific and
\ntechnical research capabilities, particularly in developing countries and countries with
\neconomies in transition, and to promote access to, and the exchange of, data and analyses;
\n(c) Take into account the concerns and needs, particularly in the field of financial and
\ntechnical resources, of developing countries and countries with economies in transition and
\ncooperate in improving their capability to participate in the efforts referred to in
\nsubparagraphs (a) and (b);
\n(d) Undertake research work geared towards alleviating the effects of persistent
\norganic pollutants on reproductive health;
\n(e) Make the results of their research, development and monitoring activities referred
\nto in this paragraph accessible to the public on a timely and regular basis; and
\n(f) Encourage and\/or undertake cooperation with regard to storage and maintenance
\nof information generated from research, development and monitoring.<\/p>\n

Article 12<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nTechnical assistance<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. The Parties recognize that rendering of timely and appropriate technical assistance in
\nresponse to requests from developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition
\nis essential to the successful implementation of this Convention.
\n2. The Parties shall cooperate to provide timely and appropriate technical assistance to
\ndeveloping country Parties and Parties with economies in transition, to assist them, taking into
\naccount their particular needs, to develop and strengthen their capacity to implement their
\nobligations under this Convention.
\n3. In this regard, technical assistance to be provided by developed country Parties, and
\nother Parties in accordance with their capabilities, shall include, as appropriate and as
\nmutually agreed, technical assistance for capacity-building relating to implementation of the
\nobligations under this Convention. Further guidance in this regard shall be provided by the
\nConference of the Parties.
\n4. The Parties shall establish, as appropriate, arrangements for the purpose of providing
\ntechnical assistance and promoting the transfer of technology to developing country Parties
\nand Parties with economies in transition relating to the implementation of this Convention.
\nThese arrangements shall include regional and subregional centers for capacity-building and
\ntransfer of technology to assist developing country Parties and Parties with economies in
\ntransition to fulfil their obligations under this Convention. Further guidance in this regard
\nshall be provided by the Conference of the Parties.
\n5. The Parties shall, in the context of this Article, take full account of the specific needs
\nand special situation of least developed countries and small island developing states in their
\nactions with regard to technical assistance.<\/p>\n

Article 13<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nFinancial resources and mechanisms<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Each Party undertakes to provide, within its capabilities, financial support and
\nincentives in respect of those national activities that are intended to achieve the objective of
\nthis Convention in accordance with its national plans, priorities and programs.
\n2. The developed country Parties shall provide new and additional financial resources to
\nenable developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition to meet the agreed
\nfull incremental costs of implementing measures which fulfill their obligations under this
\nConvention as agreed between a recipient Party and an entity participating in the mechanism
\ndescribed in paragraph 6. Other Parties may also on a voluntary basis and in accordance with
\ntheir capabilities provide such financial resources. Contributions from other sources should
\nalso be encouraged. The implementation of these commitments shall take into account the
\nneed for adequacy, predictability, the timely flow of funds and the importance of burden
\nsharing among the contributing Parties.
\n3. Developed country Parties, and other Parties in accordance with their capabilities and in
\naccordance with their national plans, priorities and programmes, may also provide and
\ndeveloping country Parties and Parties with economies in transition avail themselves of
\nfinancial resources to assist in their implementation of this Convention through other bilateral,
\nregional and multilateral sources or channels.
\n4. The extent to which the developing country Parties will effectively implement their
\ncommitments under this Convention will depend on the effective implementation by
\ndeveloped country Parties of their commitments under this Convention relating to financial
\nresources, technical assistance and technology transfer. The fact that sustainable economic
\nand social development and eradication of poverty are the first and overriding priorities of the
\ndeveloping country Parties will be taken fully into account, giving due consideration to the
\nneed for the protection of human health and the environment.
\n5. The Parties shall take full account of the specific needs and special situation of the least
\ndeveloped countries and the small island developing states in their actions with regard to
\nfunding.
\n6. A mechanism for the provision of adequate and sustainable financial resources to
\ndeveloping country Parties and Parties with economies in transition on a grant or concessional
\nbasis to assist in their implementation of the Convention is hereby defined. The mechanism
\nshall function under the authority, as appropriate, and guidance of, and be accountable to the
\nConference of the Parties for the purposes of this Convention. Its operation shall be entrusted
\nto one or more entities, including existing international entities, as may be decided upon by
\nthe Conference of the Parties. The mechanism may also include other entities providing
\nmultilateral, regional and bilateral financial and technical assistance. Contributions to the
\nmechanism shall be additional to other financial transfers to developing country Parties and
\nParties with economies in transition as reflected in, and in accordance with, paragraph 2.
\n7. Pursuant to the objectives of this Convention and paragraph 6, the Conference of the
\nParties shall at its first meeting adopt appropriate guidance to be provided to the mechanism
\nand shall agree with the entity or entities participating in the financial mechanism upon
\narrangements to give effect thereto. The guidance shall address, inter alia:<\/p>\n

(a) The determination of the policy, strategy and program priorities, as well as
\nclear and detailed criteria and guidelines regarding eligibility for access to and utilization of
\nfinancial resources including monitoring and evaluation on a regular basis of such utilization;
\n(b) The provision by the entity or entities of regular reports to the Conference of the
\nParties on adequacy and sustainability of funding for activities relevant to the implementation
\nof this Convention;
\n(c) The promotion of multiple-source funding approaches, mechanisms and
\narrangements;
\n(d) The modalities for the determination in a predictable and identifiable manner of
\nthe amount of funding necessary and available for the implementation of this Convention,
\nkeeping in mind that the phasing out of persistent organic pollutants might require sustained
\nfunding, and the conditions under which that amount shall be periodically reviewed; and
\n(e) The modalities for the provision to interested Parties of assistance with needs
\nassessment, information on available sources of funds and on funding patterns in order to
\nfacilitate coordination among them.<\/p>\n

8. The Conference of the Parties shall review, not later than its second meeting and
\nthereafter on a regular basis, the effectiveness of the mechanism established under this
\nArticle, its ability to address the changing needs of the developing country Parties and Parties
\nwith economies in transition, the criteria and guidance referred to in paragraph 7, the level of
\nfunding as well as the effectiveness of the performance of the institutional entities entrusted to
\noperate the financial mechanism. It shall, based on such review, take appropriate action, if
\nnecessary, to improve the effectiveness of the mechanism, including by means of
\nrecommendations and guidance on measures to ensure adequate and sustainable funding to
\nmeet the needs of the Parties.<\/p>\n

Article 14<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nInterim financial arrangements<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nThe institutional structure of the Global Environment Facility, operated in accordance
\nwith the Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured Global Environment Facility,
\nshall, on an interim basis, be the principal entity entrusted with the operations of the financial
\nmechanism referred to in Article 13, for the period between the date of entry into force of this
\nConvention and the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties, or until such time as the
\nConference of the Parties decides which institutional structure will be designated in
\naccordance with Article 13. The institutional structure of the Global Environment Facility
\nshould fulfill this function through operational measures related specifically to persistent
\norganic pollutants taking into account that new arrangements for this area may be needed.<\/p>\n

Article 15<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nReporting<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Each Party shall report to the Conference of the Parties on the measures it has taken to
\nimplement the provisions of this Convention and on the effectiveness of such measures in
\nmeeting the objectives of the Convention.
\n2. Each Party shall provide to the Secretariat:<\/p>\n

(a) Statistical data on its total quantities of production, import and export of each of
\nthe chemicals listed in Annex A and Annex B or a reasonable estimate of such data; and
\n(b) To the extent practicable, a list of the States from which it has imported each such
\nsubstance and the States to which it has exported each such substance.<\/p>\n

3. Such reporting shall be at periodic intervals and in a format to be decided by the
\nConference of the Parties at its first meeting.<\/p>\n

Article 16<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nEffectiveness evaluation<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Commencing four years after the date of entry into force of this Convention, and
\nperiodically thereafter at intervals to be decided by the Conference of the Parties, the
\nConference shall evaluate the effectiveness of this Convention.
\n2. In order to facilitate such evaluation, the Conference of the Parties shall, at its first
\nmeeting, initiate the establishment of arrangements to provide itself with comparable
\nmonitoring data on the presence of the chemicals listed in Annexes A, B and C as well as their
\nregional and global environmental transport. These arrangements:<\/p>\n

(a) Should be implemented by the Parties on a regional basis when appropriate, in
\naccordance with their technical and financial capabilities, using existing monitoring
\nprograms and mechanisms to the extent possible and promoting harmonization of
\napproaches;
\n(b) May be supplemented where necessary, taking into account the differences
\nbetween regions and their capabilities to implement monitoring activities; and
\n(c) Shall include reports to the Conference of the Parties on the results of the
\nmonitoring activities on a regional and global basis at intervals to be specified by the
\nConference of the Parties.<\/p>\n

3. The evaluation described in paragraph 1 shall be conducted on the basis of available
\nscientific, environmental, technical and economic information, including:<\/p>\n

(a) Reports and other monitoring information provided pursuant to paragraph 2;
\n(b) National reports submitted pursuant to Article 15; and
\n(c) Non-compliance information provided pursuant to the procedures established
\nunder Article 17.<\/p>\n

Article 17<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nNon-compliance<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nThe Conference of the Parties shall, as soon as practicable, develop and approve
\nprocedures and institutional mechanisms for determining non-compliance with the provisions
\nof this Convention and for the treatment of Parties found to be in non-compliance.<\/p>\n

Article 18<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nSettlement of disputes<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Parties shall settle any dispute between them concerning the interpretation or
\napplication of this Convention through negotiation or other peaceful means of their own
\nchoice.
\n2. When ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to the Convention, or at any time
\nthereafter, a Party that is not a regional economic integration organization may declare in a
\nwritten instrument submitted to the depositary that, with respect to any dispute concerning the
\ninterpretation or application of the Convention, it recognizes one or both of the following
\nmeans of dispute settlement as compulsory in relation to any Party accepting the same
\nobligation:<\/p>\n

(a) Arbitration in accordance with procedures to be adopted by the Conference of the
\nParties in an annex as soon as practicable;
\n(b) Submission of the dispute to the International Court of Justice.<\/p>\n

3. A Party that is a regional economic integration organization may make a declaration
\nwith like effect in relation to arbitration in accordance with the procedure referred to in
\nparagraph 2 (a).
\n4. A declaration made pursuant to paragraph 2 or paragraph 3 shall remain in force until it
\nexpires in accordance with its terms or until three months after written notice of its revocation
\nhas been deposited with the depositary.
\n5. The expiry of a declaration, a notice of revocation or a new declaration shall not in any
\nway affect proceedings pending before an arbitral tribunal or the International Court of Justice
\nunless the parties to the dispute otherwise agree.
\n6. If the parties to a dispute have not accepted the same or any procedure pursuant to
\nparagraph 2, and if they have not been able to settle their dispute within twelve months
\nfollowing notification by one party to another that a dispute exists between them, the dispute
\nshall be submitted to a conciliation commission at the request of any party to the dispute. The
\nconciliation commission shall render a report with recommendations. Additional procedures
\nrelating to the conciliation commission shall be included in an annex to be adopted by the
\nConference of the Parties no later than at its second meeting.<\/p>\n

Article 19<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nConference of the Parties<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. A Conference of the Parties is hereby established.
\n2. The first meeting of the Conference of the Parties shall be convened by the Executive
\nDirector of the United Nations Environment Program no later than one year after the entry
\ninto force of this Convention. Thereafter, ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties
\nshall be held at regular intervals to be decided by the Conference.
\n3. Extraordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties shall be held at such other
\ntimes as may be deemed necessary by the Conference, or at the written request of any Party
\nprovided that it is supported by at least one third of the Parties.
\n4. The Conference of the Parties shall by consensus agree upon and adopt at its first
\nmeeting rules of procedure and financial rules for itself and any subsidiary bodies, as well as
\nfinancial provisions governing the functioning of the Secretariat.
\n5. The Conference of the Parties shall keep under continuous review and evaluation the
\nimplementation of this Convention. It shall perform the functions assigned to it by the
\nConvention and, to this end, shall:<\/p>\n

(a) Establish, further to the requirements of paragraph 6, such subsidiary bodies as it
\nconsiders necessary for the implementation of the Convention;
\n(b) Cooperate, where appropriate, with competent international organizations and
\nintergovernmental and non-governmental bodies; and<\/p>\n

(c) Regularly review all information made available to the Parties pursuant to Article
\n15, including consideration of the effectiveness of paragraph 2 (b) (iii) of Article 3;
\n(d) Consider and undertake any additional action that may be required for the
\nachievement of the objectives of the Convention.<\/p>\n

6. The Conference of the Parties shall, at its first meeting, establish a subsidiary body to be
\ncalled the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee for the purposes of performing the
\nfunctions assigned to that Committee by this Convention. In this regard:<\/p>\n

(a) The members of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee shall be
\nappointed by the Conference of the Parties. Membership of the Committee shall consist of
\ngovernment-designated experts in chemical assessment or management. The members of the
\nCommittee shall be appointed on the basis of equitable geographical distribution;
\n(b) The Conference of the Parties shall decide on the terms of reference, organization
\nand operation of the Committee; and<\/p>\n

(c) The Committee shall make every effort to adopt its recommendations by
\nconsensus. If all efforts at consensus have been exhausted, and no consensus reached, such
\nrecommendation shall as a last resort be adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the members
\npresent and voting.<\/p>\n

7. The Conference of the Parties shall, at its third meeting, evaluate the continued need for
\nthe procedure contained in paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3, including consideration of its
\neffectiveness.
\n8. The United Nations, its specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy
\nAgency, as well as any State not Party to this Convention, may be represented at meetings of
\nthe Conference of the Parties as observers. Any body or agency, whether national or
\ninternational, governmental or non-governmental, qualified in matters covered by the
\nConvention, and which has informed the Secretariat of its wish to be represented at a meeting
\nof the Conference of the Parties as an observer may be admitted unless at least one third of the
\nParties present object. The admission and participation of observers shall be subject to the
\nrules of procedure adopted by the Conference of the Parties.<\/p>\n

Article 20<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nSecretariat<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. A Secretariat is hereby established.
\n2. The functions of the Secretariat shall be:<\/p>\n

(a) To make arrangements for meetings of the Conference of the Parties and its
\nsubsidiary bodies and to provide them with services as required;
\n(b) To facilitate assistance to the Parties, particularly developing country Parties and
\nParties with economies in transition, on request, in the implementation of this Convention;
\n(c) To ensure the necessary coordination with the secretariats of other relevant
\ninternational bodies;
\n(d) To prepare and make available to the Parties periodic reports based on
\ninformation received pursuant to Article 15 and other available information;
\n(e) To enter, under the overall guidance of the Conference of the Parties, into such
\nadministrative and contractual arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of
\nits functions; and
\n(f) To perform the other secretariat functions specified in this Convention and such
\nother functions as may be determined by the Conference of the Parties.<\/p>\n

3. The secretariat functions for this Convention shall be performed by the Executive
\nDirector of the United Nations Environment Program, unless the Conference of the Parties
\ndecides, by a three-fourths majority of the Parties present and voting, to entrust the secretariat
\nfunctions to one or more other international organizations.<\/p>\n

Article 21<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nAmendments to the Convention<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Amendments to this Convention may be proposed by any Party.
\n2. Amendments to this Convention shall be adopted at a meeting of the Conference of the
\nParties. The text of any proposed amendment shall be communicated to the Parties by the
\nSecretariat at least six months before the meeting at which it is proposed for adoption. The
\nSecretariat shall also communicate proposed amendments to the signatories to this
\nConvention and, for information, to the depositary.
\n3. The Parties shall make every effort to reach agreement on any proposed amendment to
\nthis Convention by consensus. If all efforts at consensus have been exhausted, and no
\nagreement reached, the amendment shall as a last resort be adopted by a three-fourths
\nmajority vote of the Parties present and voting.
\n4. The amendment shall be communicated by the depositary to all Parties for ratification,
\nacceptance or approval.
\n5. Ratification, acceptance or approval of an amendment shall be notified to the depositary
\nin writing. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 3 shall enter into force for
\nthe Parties having accepted it on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of instruments of
\nratification, acceptance or approval by at least three-fourths of the Parties. Thereafter, the
\namendment shall enter into force for any other Party on the ninetieth day after the date on
\nwhich that Party deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of the
\namendment.<\/p>\n

Article 22<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nAdoption and amendment of annexes<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Annexes to this Convention shall form an integral part thereof and, unless expressly
\nprovided otherwise, a reference to this Convention constitutes at the same time a reference to
\nany annexes thereto.
\n2. Any additional annexes shall be restricted to procedural, scientific, technical or
\nadministrative matters.
\n3. The following procedure shall apply to the proposal, adoption and entry into force of
\nadditional annexes to this Convention:<\/p>\n

(a) Additional annexes shall be proposed and adopted according to the procedure laid
\ndown in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Article 21;
\n(b) Any Party that is unable to accept an additional annex shall so notify the
\ndepositary, in writing, within one year from the date of communication by the depositary of
\nthe adoption of the additional annex. The depositary shall without delay notify all Parties of
\nany such notification received. A Party may at any time withdraw a previous notification of
\nnon-acceptance in respect of any additional annex, and the annex shall thereupon enter into
\nforce for that Party subject to subparagraph (c); and
\n(c) On the expiry of one year from the date of the communication by the depositary
\nof the adoption of an additional annex, the annex shall enter into force for all Parties that have
\nnot submitted a notification in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (b).<\/p>\n

4. The proposal, adoption and entry into force of amendments to Annex A, B or C shall be
\nsubject to the same procedures as for the proposal, adoption and entry into force of additional
\nannexes to this Convention, except that an amendment to Annex A, B or C shall not enter into
\nforce with respect to any Party that has made a declaration with respect to amendment to
\nthose Annexes in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 25, in which case any such
\namendment shall enter into force for such a Party on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit
\nwith the depositary of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with
\nrespect to such amendment.
\n5. The following procedure shall apply to the proposal, adoption and entry into force of an
\namendment to Annex D, E or F:<\/p>\n

(a) Amendments shall be proposed according to the procedure in paragraphs 1 and 2
\nof Article 21;
\n(b) The Parties shall take decisions on an amendment to Annex D, E or F by
\nconsensus; and
\n(c) A decision to amend Annex D, E or F shall forthwith be communicated to the
\nParties by the depositary. The amendment shall enter into force for all Parties on a date to be
\nspecified in the decision.<\/p>\n

6. If an additional annex or an amendment to an annex is related to an amendment to this
\nConvention, the additional annex or amendment shall not enter into force until such time as
\nthe amendment to the Convention enters into force.<\/p>\n

Article 23<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nRight to vote<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. Each Party to this Convention shall have one vote, except as provided for in paragraph
\n2.
\n2. A regional economic integration organization, on matters within its competence, shall
\nexercise its right to vote with a number of votes equal to the number of its member States that
\nare Parties to this Convention. Such an organization shall not exercise its right to vote if any
\nof its member States exercises its right to vote, and vice versa.<\/p>\n

Article 24<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nSignature<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nThis Convention shall be open for signature at Stockholm by all States and regional
\neconomic integration organizations on 23 May 2001, and at the United Nations Headquarters
\nin New York from 24 May 2001 to 22 May 2002.<\/p>\n

Article 25<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nRatification, acceptance, approval or accession<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. This Convention shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by States and by
\nregional economic integration organizations. It shall be open for accession by States and by
\nregional economic integration organizations from the day after the date on which the
\nConvention is closed for signature. Instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or
\naccession shall be deposited with the depositary.
\n2. Any regional economic integration organization that becomes a Party to this
\nConvention without any of its member States being a Party shall be bound by all the
\nobligations under the Convention. In the case of such organizations, one or more of whose
\nmember States is a Party to this Convention, the organization and its member States shall
\ndecide on their respective responsibilities for the performance of their obligations under the
\nConvention. In such cases, the organization and the member States shall not be entitled to
\nexercise rights under the Convention concurrently.
\n3. In its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, a regional economic
\nintegration organization shall declare the extent of its competence in respect of the matters
\ngoverned by this Convention. Any such organization shall also inform the depositary, who
\nshall in turn inform the Parties, of any relevant modification in the extent of its competence.
\n4. In its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, any Party may
\ndeclare that, with respect to it, any amendment to Annex A, B or C shall enter into force only
\nupon the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with
\nrespect thereto.<\/p>\n

Article 26<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nEntry into force<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. This Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of
\nthe fiftieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
\n2. For each State or regional economic integration organization that ratifies, accepts or
\napproves this Convention or accedes thereto after the deposit of the fiftieth instrument of
\nratification, acceptance, approval or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the
\nninetieth day after the date of deposit by such State or regional economic integration
\norganization of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
\n3. For the purpose of paragraphs 1 and 2, any instrument deposited by a regional economic
\nintegration organization shall not be counted as additional to those deposited by member
\nStates of that organization.<\/p>\n

Article 27<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nReservations<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nNo reservations may be made to this Convention.<\/p>\n

Article 28<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nWithdrawal<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\n1. At any time after three years from the date on which this Convention has entered into
\nforce for a Party, that Party may withdraw from the Convention by giving written notification
\nto the depositary.
\n2. Any such withdrawal shall take effect upon the expiry of one year from the date of
\nreceipt by the depositary of the notification of withdrawal, or on such later date as may be
\nspecified in the notification of withdrawal.<\/p>\n

Article 29<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nDepositary<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nThe Secretary-General of the United Nations shall be the depositary of this
\nConvention.<\/p>\n

Article 30<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nAuthentic texts<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
\nThe original of this Convention, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French,
\nRussian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General
\nof the United Nations.
\nIN WITNESS WHEREOF<\/strong> the undersigned, being duly authorized to that effect, have
\nsigned this Convention.
\nDone<\/strong> at Stockholm on this twenty-second day of May, two thousand and one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Parties to this Convention, Recognizing that persistent organic pollutants possess toxic properties, resist degradation, bioaccumulate and are transported, through air, water and migratory species, across international boundaries and deposited far from their place of release, where they accumulate in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,<\/p>

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