National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

The National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) covers the period between 2007 and 2020. The key objectives of this Plan are: (I) improvement of legislation on POPs substances, (II) destruction of the existing POPs pesticides, (III) elimination of (polychlorinated biphenyls) PCB equipments, (IV) reduction of POPs emission from industry/municipality wastes and sewerages, (V) improvement of the environmental performance in energy sector, (VI) improvement of the environmental performance in industry sector, (VII) extended measures on environmental impacts mitigation on transport sector, (VIII) identification of presumable POPs pesticides and PCBs stockpiles and their safe management, (IX) the use of harmless and alternative substances, (X) sustainable development of ecological agriculture, and (XI) public awareness-rising on POPs.
This Plan addresses the environmental and health effects of POPs in air, land, water, food, animals and humans. The legislation on POPs substances will be improved and the relevant normative legal acts will be prepared to provide the elimination and gradual reduction of POPs and ensure their safe utilization. The existing POPs pesticides will be destructed by continuing the inventory of POPs containing pesticides, establishing the system for safe disposal of POPs containing pesticides, and eliminating POPs containing pesticides. Monitoring system and reporting will be strengthened in eliminating PCBs. Guidelines will be prepared for using appropriate equipments or placements, or other provisions to reduce risk to control the use of PCBs. POPs emission arising from industry/municipality wastes, medical wastes, animal remains and sewerages will be reduced. The environmental impacts of energy sector will be improved through standards and regulation regarding emissions in the combustion plants, environmental indicators, research and studies, and public awareness programs. The use of hydro and other renewable energy sources will be promoted. The safety of the industrial processes will be enhanced to cope with pollution accidents and hazardous emissions. Environmental policy will be strengthened in industry sector. Vehicle emissions standards and fuel efficiency improvements will be provided in the transport sector for the protection of the environment. The legal and administrative instruments will be strengthened to eliminate the production and use of the chemicals listed in Annex A of Stockholm Convention and the import and export of the chemicals listed in Annex A; and to restrict the production and use of chemicals listed in Annex B. The use of environmentally-friendly agriculture products will be encouraged. Public awareness programs on POPs, as well as on their health and environmental effects and on their alternatives, will be conducted.