POPRC.10 Documents

1. Opening of the meeting.
2. Organizational matters:

Item 1
Opening of the meeting

1. The tenth meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee will be held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, from 27 to 30 October 2014. The meeting will be opened by the Chair of the Committee, Ms. Estefania Gastaldello Moreira (Brazil), at 9.30 a.m. on Monday, 27 October 2014. In accordance with its terms of reference, the Committee will meet in closed session from 9 a.m. to review issues pertaining to conflicts of interest.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its ninth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC-9/3 on pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters. By paragraph 3 of that decision, the Committee decided to establish an intersessional working group to prepare a risk management evaluation that included an analysis of possible control measures for pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters in accordance with Annex F to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. At its ninth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC 9/4 on decabromodiphenyl ether (see UNEP/POPS/POPRC.9/13, annex I). By paragraph 2 of that decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to further review the proposal to list decabromodiphenyl ether in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.9/2) and to prepare a draft risk profile in accordance with Annex E to the Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its ninth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee considered the proposal submitted by the European Union to list dicofol in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The proposal is reproduced in annex I to the present note.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. Paragraph 5 of part III of Annex B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants provides that the Conference of the Parties shall evaluate the continued need for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) for the various acceptable purposes and specific exemptions listed in Annex B on the basis of available scientific, technical, environmental and economic information. The evaluation shall take place no later than in 2015 and every four years thereafter, in conjunction with a regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties, in accordance with paragraph 6 of part III of Annex B to the Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. By decision POPRC-6/5, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee endorsed the guidance on alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts, perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) and their related chemicals and agreed that it should be revised regularly as necessary to take into account available information on alternatives to those chemicals. A version of the guidance, revised to take into account comments and new information provided by parties and observers, was endorsed by the Committee in its decision POPRC-9/6 (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.9/INF/11/Rev.1).

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In paragraph 22 of the omnibus decisions on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, among other things, requested the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee and the Chemical Review Committee to develop guidance to assist parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the Chemical Review Committee in their work when a chemical under consideration was a persistent organic pollutant listed under the Stockholm Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In its decision SC-6/14, the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants requested the Secretariat to continue the activities listed in decision POPRC-8/12, including the organization of webinars and face-to-face activities, to assist parties that are developing countries or countries with economies in transition to participate effectively in the work of the Committee.

Note by the Secretariat

I. Introduction

1. In accordance with paragraph 28 of its terms of reference, for each of its meetings the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee prepares risk profiles and risk management evaluations as required by Article 8 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. To undertake this task, it establishes an intersessional working group for each chemical and agrees on a workplan for completing the drafts.

I.Opening of the meeting

1. The tenth meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee was held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, from 27 to 30 October 2014. Ms. Estefania Moreira (Brazil), Chair of the Committee, declared the meeting open at 9.30 a.m. on Monday, 27 October 2014, welcoming the members of the Committee, observers and invited experts.

Addendum

Risk management evaluation on pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters

1. The tenth meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee was held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, from 27 to 30 October 2014. Ms. Estefania Moreira (Brazil), Chair of the Committee, declared the meeting open at 9.30 a.m. on Monday, 27 October 2014, welcoming the members of the Committee, observers and invited experts.

Addendum

Risk profile on decabromodiphenyl ether (commercial mixture, c decaBDE)

At its tenth meeting, by its decision POPRC-10/2, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted a risk profile for decabromodiphenyl ether (commercial mixture, c-decaBDE) on the basis of the draft contained in the note by the secretariat (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/3). The text of the risk profile, as amended, is set out in the annex to the present addendum. It has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

A scenario note developed by the Chair of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee, Ms. Estefania Gastaldello Moreira (Brazil), to assist participants in preparing for the tenth meeting of the Committee, is set out in the annex to the present note.

Tentative schedule for the meeting

Note by the Secretariat

A tentative schedule for the work of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee at its tenth meeting is set out in the annex to the present note. The schedule will be adapted as work progresses. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. Pursuant to the terms of reference of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee contained in decision SC-1/7, the terms of office of 17 of the 31 members expired on 4 May 2014. New members to serve their four-year term as of 5 May 2014 have been nominated by the parties identified in the annex to decision SC-6/14 on the operation of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee. The curricula vitae of those members are set out in annex III to document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.9/INF/4.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/2, the annex to the present note sets out tables listing the comments and responses regarding the draft risk management evaluation on pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters. The present note including its annex, which has been reproduced as submitted by the intersessional working group, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/3, the annex to the present note sets out supporting information related to the draft risk profile on decabromodiphenyl ether. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/3, the annex to the present note contains tables listing the comments and responses relating to the draft risk profile on decabromodiphenyl ether. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/5, the annex to the present note sets out a draft report on the assessment of alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride. The draft report was prepared with financial support from the Government of Norway and the European Union. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its tenth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee completed the assessment of alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) in accordance with paragraph 3 of decision SC-6/4.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/3, the annex to the present note contains tables listing the comments and responses relating to the draft risk profile on decabromodiphenyl ether. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its tenth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee completed the assessment of alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) in accordance with paragraph 3 of decision SC-6/4.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/5, the annex to the present note contains a table listing the comments and responses relating to the draft report on the assessment of alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) and the draft factsheets on alternatives to PFOS, its salts and PFOSF. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/5, the annex to the present note sets out a draft report for the evaluation of information on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF), prepared on the basis of information on the progress made to eliminate those chemicals submitted by parties in the process of reporting under Article 15 of the Convention, and taking into consideration the draft report on the assessment of alternatives to those chemicals . The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/5, the annex to the present note sets out a draft report for the evaluation of information on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF), prepared on the basis of information on the progress made to eliminate those chemicals submitted by parties in the process of reporting under Article 15 of the Convention, and taking into consideration the draft report on the assessment of alternatives to those chemicals . The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/7 on coordination and collaboration with other scientific subsidiary bodies, the annex to the present note sets out draft guidance to assist parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the Chemical Review Committee when a chemical under consideration is a persistent organic pollutant listed under the Stockholm Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited

Note by the Secretariat

1. The annex to the present note sets out the guidance to assist parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the Chemical Review Committee when a chemical under consideration is a persistent organic pollutant listed under the Stockholm Convention prepared by the Chemical Review Committee and the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee, as requested in paragraph 22 of the omnibus decisions on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, and the Stockholm Convention.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/7, the annex to the present note sets out comments and responses relating to the draft guidance to assist parties to the Rotterdam Convention and the Chemical Review Committee when a chemical under consideration is a persistent organic pollutant listed under the Stockholm Convention. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1.As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/7, the annex to the present note sets out a compilation of feedback on the experience in the organization of and benefits gained from the back-to-back meetings and the first joint meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee and the Chemical Review Committee.

Note by the Secretariat

1. As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/8 on a report on activities for effective participation in the work of the Committee, the annex to the present note sets out tables listing face-to-face and online training activities organized and planned by the Secretariat.

Note by the Secretariat

At its ninth meeting, the Committee agreed to invite members and observers to provide suggestions for improving the quality of information contained in draft risk management evaluations or draft risk profiles to be considered at the Committee’s meetings. The Committee requested the Secretariat, with the support of Mr. Ousmane Sow (Senegal), to compile the comments received and circulate them before its tenth meeting. The annex to the present note sets out the suggestions received from two observers (International Council of Chemical Association and World Chlorine Council). The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.

Note by the Secretariat

1. The Bureaux of the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions met on 22–23 May 2014, 4–5 June 2014 and 14–15 May 2014, respectively.

Note by the Secretariat

1. At its tenth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee reviewed the draft report of the Secretariat for the evaluation of information on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) in accordance with the terms of reference set out in the annex to decision POPRC-9/5.

Note by the Secretariat

As referred to in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.10/10/Add.1, the annex to the present note sets out supporting information related to the risk management evaluation on pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters provided by Canada. The present note, including its annex, has not been formally edited.