The aim of the Stockholm Convention of 2001 is to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic chemicals (Persistent Organic Pollutants = POPs). Many POPs are plant protection products which have been banned in Germany for a long time now. There is now evidence of these substances, which are not readily degradable, world-wide, often a long way away from where they were manufactured or used. They accumulate in the fatty tissues of living organisms and can have harmful effects on humans and animals.

By implementing the Stockholm Convention, governments are taking measures to reduce or ban the release of POPs in the environment. The aim is to continue to prevent the manufacture and use of new substances with POP characteristics. The import and export of POPs is limited to certain cases such as imports or exports intended to dispose of waste safely and in an environmentally friendly manner. Imports and exports are only permitted if international rules, standards and directives are complied with. Germany signed the Stockholm Convention on 23 May 2001. Following its 50th ratification by a contracting state the Stockholm Convention entered into force on 17 May 2004.

The Stockholm Convention is implemented in the European Union by Regulation (EU) 2019/1021.

To the topic:

• Stockholm Convention website
• EU Commission website on POPs
• Federal Ministry on POPs