2.  Decides, in accordance with paragraph 7 (a) of Article 8 of the Convention, that beta hexachlorocyclohexane is likely, as a result of longrange environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and/or environmental effects such that global action is warranted;

3.  Decides further, in accordance with paragraph 7 (a) of Article 8 of the Convention and paragraph 29 of decision SC-1/7 of the Conference of the Parties, to establish an ad hoc working group to prepare a risk management evaluation that includes an analysis of possible control measures for beta hexachlorocyclohexane in accordance with Annex F to the Convention;

1.Decides that PFOSF meets the criteria in Annex D of the Convention; Decides that PFOSF and PFOS salts are likely, through their rapid transformation to PFOS and as a result of the longrange environmental transport of PFOS, to lead to significant adverse human health and/or environmental effects such that global action is warranted.

I.    Opening of the meeting

The third meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee was held at the Varembé Conference Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, from 19 to 23 November 2007. Mr. Reiner Arndt (Germany), Chair of the Committee, declared the meeting open at 10.00 a.m. on Monday, 19 November, and introduced Mr. Donald Cooper, the recently appointed Executive Secretary of the Stockholm Convention

Mr. Cooper welcomed the members of the Committee and observers, praising the former for the generosity of spirit which had led them to dedicate their time and efforts to a matter of global importance, for which they would earn the world’s gratitude. He also welcomed new members of the Committee who were attending as observers and would take their seats officially on 5 May 2008, expressing confidence that they would uphold the high standards that the Committee had established to date, which he said were the envy of many other multilateral environmental agreements

Addendum

Risk management evaluation on commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether

Addendum

  At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk management evaluation on chlordecone, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/10 and the revision to the risk profile contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/20/Add.10. The text of the risk management evaluation, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited

Addendum

  At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk management evaluation on hexabromobiphenyl, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/11. The text of the risk management evaluation, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited

At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk management evaluation on lindane, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/12. The text of the risk management evaluation, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited

Addendum

Risk management evaluation on perfluorooctane sulfonat

Addendum

At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk profile on commercial octabromodiphenyl ether, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/14. The text of the risk profile, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited.

Addendum

Risk profile on pentachlorobenzen

Addendum

Risk profile on alpha hexachlorocyclohexane

Addendum

Risk profile on beta hexachlorocyclohexan

Addendum

Revised risk profile on chlordecon

1. Background
The bioaccumulation criteria in Annex D of the Stockholm Convention are as follows: “(c) Bio-accumulation:
(i) Evidence that the bio-concentration factor or bio accumulation factor in aquatic species for the chemical is greater than 5,000 or, in the absence of such data, that the log Kow is greater than 5;

Addendum

Risk management evaluation on commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether

Addendum

  At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk management evaluation on chlordecone, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/10 and the revision to the risk profile contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/20/Add.10. The text of the risk management evaluation, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited

Addendum

  At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk management evaluation on hexabromobiphenyl, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/11. The text of the risk management evaluation, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited

At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk management evaluation on lindane, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/12. The text of the risk management evaluation, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited

Addendum

Risk management evaluation on perfluorooctane sulfonat

Addendum

At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk profile on commercial octabromodiphenyl ether, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/14. The text of the risk profile, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited.

Addendum

Risk profile on pentachlorobenzen

Addendum

Risk profile on alpha hexachlorocyclohexane

Addendum

Risk profile on beta hexachlorocyclohexan

Addendum

Revised risk profile on chlordecon

Opening of the meeting

Organizational matters

1. The third meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee will be held from 19 to 23 November 2007 at the Geneva International Conference Centre, 9–11 Rue de Varembé, Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting will be opened at 10 a.m. on Monday, 19 November 2007. 2. Opening and welcoming statements will be delivered.

Note by the Secretariat

Annex D of the Convention relates to information requirements and screening criteria for listing new chemicals under the Convention’s Annexes A, B or C. Subparagraph 1 (c) of Annex D relates to bioaccumulation data required for screening purposes as follows

“(i)  Evidence that the bio-concentration factor or bio-accumulation factor in aquatic species for the chemical is greater than 5,000 or, in the absence of such data, that the log Kow is greater than 5

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee discussed how best to name commercial products such as commercial octabromodiphenyl ether and commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether, both of which contain mixtures of isomers and other substances. This issue is considered to be important because of the need for clarity when identifying any critical substance or substances in a mixture of substances for listing under Annexes A, B and/or C of the Stockholm Convention. The matter was also raised by several representatives at the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties and the Conference concluded that further consideration should be given to “…how such… commercial mixtures and isomers should be dealt with under the Convention” (UNEP/POPS/COP.3/30).

In the wake of the Committee’s second meeting and at the request of its Chair, the Secretariat has consulted with experts and offers the following thoughts on commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether for consideration by the Committee

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, which took place from 7 to 11 November 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee discussed how to deal appropriately with precursors of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) as opposed to PFOS itself. This is an important issue if PFOS and/or PFOS precursors are to be listed in the future under Annexes A, B or C of the Stockholm Convention. Several representatives at the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties also raised the issue and the Conference concluded that further consideration should be given to “…how such substances as perfluorooctane sulfonate and its precursors….should be dealt with under the Convention.

At the request of the Chair of the Committee, the Secretariat has consulted with experts and offers the following thoughts for consideration by the Committee pertaining to how PFOS precursors might be listed under the Convention

Note by the Secretariat

The annex to the present note contains a proposal submitted by the European Community and its member States that are Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants for listing endosulfan in Annexes A, B or C of the Stockholm Convention pursuant to paragraph 1 of Article 8 of the Convention. The proposal has not been formally edited.

A detailed dossier prepared in support of the proposal of endosulfan is contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/INF/9

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee endorsed the draft risk management evaluation outline set forth in annex IV to document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/6. The Committee also agreed that the chairs and drafters of the ad hoc intersessional working groups, meeting with the Chair of the Committee in Geneva, would “further the process and prepare a revised outline for the risk management evaluations”.

In response, at the informal meeting of the chairs and drafters of the Committee, held in Geneva on 22 and 23 February 2007 and attended by Mr. Reiner Arndt (Chair – Germany), Ms. Jacqueline Alvarez (Vice Chair – Uruguay), Mr. Henk Bouwman (South Africa), Mr. Robert Chenier (Canada), Mr. Bo Wahlström (Sweden), and Ms. Leena Ylä-Mononen (designated by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), the risk management evaluation outline was discussed and amended. The revised outline is set forth in annex I to the present note. The outline set forth in annex IV to document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/6 is reproduced in annex II to the present note for ease of reference.

Note by the Secretariat

At its first and second meetings, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee established ad hoc intersessional working groups to prepare draft risk profiles or draft risk management evaluations for chemicals under review.

In view of the number of chemicals still under review by the Committee, it is likely that the Committee at the current meeting will establish further ad hoc intersessional working groups for drafting relevant risk profiles and risk management evaluations

Note by the Secretariat

Following requests from some members of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee designated by developing country Parties, at its third meeting the Conference of the Parties requested the Secretariat to undertake work to support and strengthen the capacity of Parties which are developing countries or countries with economies in transition to participate fully in the work of the Committee, in particular with regard to identifying and compiling the information requested by the Committee relating to the chemicals being evaluated for listing in the Convention. The proposed work includes

(a)  Preparing a handbook on the work of the Committee and what a developing country needs to do to prepare for it, in particular with regards to collecting and analysing relevant information under Annexes E and F;

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/1 on commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether. By paragraph 3 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to prepare a risk management evaluation that includes an analysis of possible control measures for commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether in accordance with Annex F to the Convention.

The members of the ad hoc working group on pentabromodiphenyl ether and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/2 on chlordecone. By paragraph 5 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to prepare a risk management evaluation that included an analysis of possible control measures for chlordecone in accordance with Annex F to the Convention.

The members of the ad hoc working group on chlordecone and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/3 on hexabromobiphenyl. By paragraph 4 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to prepare a risk management evaluation that included an analysis of possible control measures for hexabromobiphenyl in accordance with Annex F to the Convention.

The members of the ad hoc working group on hexabromobiphenyl and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/4 on lindane. By paragraph 3 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to prepare a risk management evaluation that includes an analysis of possible control measures for lindane in accordance with Annex F to the Convention.

The members of the ad hoc working group on lindane and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/5 on perfluorooctane sulfonate. By paragraph 4 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to prepare a risk management evaluation that included an analysis of possible control measures for perfluorooctane sulfonate in accordance with Annex F to the Convention.

The members of the ad hoc working group on perfluorooctane sulfonate and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/6 on commercial octabromodiphenyl ether. By paragraph 2 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to review further the proposal to list commercial octabromodiphenyl ether in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Convention (see documents UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/12 and UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/INF/4) and to develop a draft risk profile in accordance with Annex E to the Convention

The members of the ad hoc working group on octabromodiphenyl ether and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/7 on pentachlorobenzene. By paragraph 2 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to review further the proposal to list pentachlorobenzene in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Convention (see documents UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/13 and UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/INF/5) and to develop a draft risk profile in accordance with Annex E to the Convention

The members of the ad hoc working group on pentachlorobenzene and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/8 on short-chained chlorinated paraffins. By paragraph 3 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to review further the proposal to list shortchained chlorinated paraffins in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Convention (see documents UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/14 and UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/INF/6) and to develop a draft risk profile in accordance with Annex E to the Convention

The members of the ad hoc working group on short-chained chlorinated paraffins and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Addendum

At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee considered and revised the draft risk profile on short-chained chlorinated paraffins contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/16. The Committee agreed that it would continue its consideration of the draft risk profile at its fourth meeting and that in the meantime efforts would be made to obtain additional information and data, including in those areas that members had identified as lacking. The draft risk profile, as amended by the Committee at its third meeting, is set out below. It has not been formally edited by the Secretariat

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/9 on alpha hexachlorocyclohexane. By paragraph 2 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to review further the proposal to list alpha hexachlorocyclohexane in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Convention (see documents UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/15 and UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/INF/7) and to develop a draft risk profile in accordance with Annex E to the Convention

The members of the ad hoc working group on alpha hexachlorocyclohexane and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Note by the Secretariat

At its second meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted decision POPRC2/10 on beta hexachlorocyclohexane. By paragraph 2 of the decision, the Committee decided to establish an ad hoc working group to review further the proposal to list beta hexachlorocyclohexane in Annexes A, B, and/or C to the Convention (see documents UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/16 and UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/INF/8) and to develop a draft risk profile in accordance with Annex E to the Convention

The members of the ad hoc working group on beta hexachlorocyclohexane and its observers are listed in annex V of document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.2/17

Note by the Secretariat

Based on the budget for translation approved by the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention at its third meeting, the Secretariat has been obliged to restrict the length of draft risk profiles and draft risk management evaluations to a maximum of 20 pages. In addition, references have not been translated but are retained in the English language in translated documents. Where an original draft risk profile or draft risk management evaluation has exceeded 20 pages, it has been summarized and an information document produced containing the full text of the original draft, including tables, in English only.

Possible action by the Committe

I.    Opening of the meeting

The third meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee was held at the Varembé Conference Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, from 19 to 23 November 2007. Mr. Reiner Arndt (Germany), Chair of the Committee, declared the meeting open at 10.00 a.m. on Monday, 19 November, and introduced Mr. Donald Cooper, the recently appointed Executive Secretary of the Stockholm Convention

Mr. Cooper welcomed the members of the Committee and observers, praising the former for the generosity of spirit which had led them to dedicate their time and efforts to a matter of global importance, for which they would earn the world’s gratitude. He also welcomed new members of the Committee who were attending as observers and would take their seats officially on 5 May 2008, expressing confidence that they would uphold the high standards that the Committee had established to date, which he said were the envy of many other multilateral environmental agreements

Addendum

Risk management evaluation on commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether

Addendum

  At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk management evaluation on chlordecone, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/10 and the revision to the risk profile contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/20/Add.10. The text of the risk management evaluation, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited

Addendum

  At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk management evaluation on hexabromobiphenyl, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/11. The text of the risk management evaluation, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited

At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk management evaluation on lindane, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/12. The text of the risk management evaluation, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited

Addendum

Risk management evaluation on perfluorooctane sulfonat

Addendum

At its third meeting, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee adopted the risk profile on commercial octabromodiphenyl ether, on the basis of the draft contained in document UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/14. The text of the risk profile, as amended, is set out below. It has not been formally edited.

Addendum

Risk profile on pentachlorobenzen

Addendum

Risk profile on alpha hexachlorocyclohexane

Addendum

Risk profile on beta hexachlorocyclohexan

Addendum

Revised risk profile on chlordecon