Stockholm Convention on POPs signed

摘要

Diplomats from around the world gathered in Stockholm in May to sign the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The new Convention, one of many important initiatives growing out of the 1992 Rio Conference, is the international community's most ambitious effort yet to reduce and ultimately halt proliferation of toxic chemicals.While earlier chemicals treaties have relied on notification requirements or end-of-pipe controls, the Stockholm Cconvention calls for outright bans and destruction. It is designed o eliminate or severely restrict production and use of 12 pollutants, including pesticides and industrial chemicals, ensure environmentally sound management and chemical transformation of POPs waste; and prevent emergence of new chemicals with POPs-like characteristics.