2023 Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs)_Highlights of 1 May 2023
The BRS Triple COP, comprising the 16th meeting of the COP to the Basel Convention, the 11th meeting of the COP to the Rotterdam Convention, and the 11th meeting of the COP to the Stockholm Convention, convene in May 2023
Highlights of 1 May 2023
Basel Convention
The technical guidelines for various wastes were a focus of the day, especially the guidelines for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) waste. This is a prime example of synergies between the Conventions. The Stockholm Convention lists a POP and then the Basel Convention develops guidelines to help countries manage wastes that contain or are contaminated with that POP.
Three POPs waste guidelines will be discussed at this Basel Convention meeting:
• perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF),
• perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, and
• perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS related compounds.
These are all “forever chemicals” that will not break down in the environment for many years, and their use is vast, from pesticides to non-stick pans. Waste management will be a challenge. Across the huge range of wastes, authorities and industries will have to determine if there is a POP, how much of it there is, and how to manage the risks.
A contact group on technical matters under the Basel Convention will work on these (and other) technical guidelines.
Stockholm Convention
The Stockholm Convention started work on issues at the very heart of the treaty: listing chemicals for elimination or restriction. Three chemicals will be discussed this week:
• Methoxychlor, an insecticide used as an alternative to DDT;
• Dechlorane Plus, a flame retardant incorporated into a range of products, including plastics; and
• UV-328, an ultraviolet filter in plastics.
The Convention allows for some continued production and use, where deemed necessary. A contact group will debate the listings, including potential exemptions for Dechlorane Plus and UV-328. The Stockholm Convention agreed to eliminate production and use of Methoxychlor, by listing it in Annex A of the Convention without exemptions.
On Behalf of ESDO and IPEN, Siddika Sultana, Executive Director of ESDO and Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Secretary General of ESDO are currently participating at the conventions.
