Switzerland ratifies the POPs Convention
Bern, 30.07.2003 - Switzerland today becomes the 34th Party to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. These substances – such as DDT or PCBs – are highly toxic and accumulate in the tissues of humans and animals. Geneva is a candidate to host the Permanent Secretariat of this Convention.
The instrument of ratification of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was today deposited by Switzerland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. Switzerland has thus become the 34th Party to the Convention, which is designed to phase out a number of toxic substances, including pesticides (e.g. aldrin and DDT), chemical products (e.g. PCBs), and by-products of combustion and industrial processes (e.g. chlorinated dioxins and furans).
Under the Convention, the production and use of the most hazardous POPs - also known as the ”dirty dozen” - is to be prohibited worldwide. As measures of this kind have already been adopted by industrialized nations, the priority is now to provide developing countries with the necessary technical assistance and to ensure that adequate financial resources are made available through the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The Stockholm Convention will enter into force when it has been ratified by 50 states. No changes to national legislation will be required as a result of Switzerland’s ratification, nor will it have any economic implications, as POPs have already been replaced by less harmful substances in this country.
Geneva’s candidacy
Geneva, the seat of the Interim Secretariat to the POPs Convention, is seeking to host the Permanent Secretariat. The final decision will be taken at the First Conference of the Parties, which is likely to be held in 2005. As Geneva also hosts the Secretariat to the Basel Convention (transboundary movements of hazardous wastes) and the Interim Secretariat to the Rotterdam Convention (prior informed consent procedure for trade in hazardous chemicals), this city could thus become a key international centre for the regulation of chemicals.
Address for enquiries
Further information:
Georg Karlaganis
Head of Substances
Soil and Biotechnology Division, SAEFL
Tel. +41 (0)79 415 99 62
Franz Perrez
Head of Global Affairs Section,
Tel. +41 (0)31 322 93 08
Publisher
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en
