The Union Cabinet approved ratification of the Stockholm Convention by banning seven hazardous chemicals that are harmful for health and environment. The seven banned chemicals are listed as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention.

Considering its commitment towards providing a safe environment and addressing human health risks, the ministry of environment had notified the ‘Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Rules’ on March 5, 2018, under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

The Cabinet has delegated its powers to ratify chemicals under the Stockholm Convention to the ministry of external affairs and the ministry of environment, forest and climate change in respect of POPs already regulated under the domestic regulations thereby streamlining the procedure.

The regulation prohibits the manufacture, trade, use, import and export seven chemicals. They are: 

• Chlordecone

• Hexabromobiphenyl

• Hexabromodiphenyl ether and Heptabromodiphenyl ether (Commercial octa-BDE)

• Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and Pentabromodiphenyl ether (Commercial penta-BDE)

• Pentachlorobenzene

• Hexabromocyclododecane

• Hexachlorobutadiene.

The ratification indicates the resolve of the government to take action on POPs by implementing control measures, develop and implement action plans for unintentionally produced chemicals, develop inventories of the chemicals’ stockpiles and review as well as update its National Implementation Plan (NIP). 

The ratification process would enable India to access Global Environment Facility (GEF) financial resources in updating the NIP. The GEF is the designated interim financial mechanism for the Stockholm Convention.

Stockholm Convention

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was adopted on May 22, 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden. The Convention entered into force on 17 May 2004. 

It is a global treaty to protect human health and environment from POPs, which are identified chemical substances that persist in the environment, bio-accumulate in living organisms, adversely affect human health/environment and have the property of long-range environmental transport (LRET).

Over 152 countries have ratified the Convention.

Exposure to POPs can lead to cancer, damage to central and peripheral nervous systems, diseases of immune system, reproductive disorders and child development.

POPs are listed in various annexes to the Stockholm Convention after thorough scientific research, deliberations and negotiations among member countries.

India ratified the Stockholm Convention on January 13, 2006, as per Article 25(4), which enabled it to keep itself in a default “opt-out” position such that amendments in various annexes of the convention cannot be enforced on it unless an instrument of ratification/acceptance/approval or accession is explicitly deposited with the UN depositary.

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