National Implementation Plan (Nip) for The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

The National Implementation Plan (Nip) for The Stockholm Convention (SC) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (2008 NIP) identifies priority areas: Occupational safety measures for POPs management and use; Education and awareness on POPs; Appropriate legal and administrative framework; Enhancing commitment for POPs management at the policy maker level; Environmentally sound management of POPs, specifically PCB containing equipment and wastes; Capacity building for enforcement and monitoring agencies including technical infrastructure for POPs management; To achieve continuous release reduction of Annex C POPs; Controlled use of DDT for malaria vector control; Rehabilitation and management of contaminated sites; Research and development to establish the level of environment and human health impacts of POPs.
The action plans directed towards achievement of these priority areas are organized in seventeen intervention areas in the section 3 of the document. 1) Activity institutional and regulatory strengthening measures. Measures identified are regulatory and institutional measures and include training personnel to develop capacity to implement the provisions of the Convention; establishing an Inspectorate to monitor the import and usage of POPs; strengthen existing capacity for POPs analysis; designate relevant competent authorities for the implementation of the Convention; revise environmental legal framework to incorporate legislative provisions on POP, etc. 2) Activity: production, import and export, use, stockpiles and wastes of Annex A POPs pesticides (Annex A, part I. chemicals). Actions include: review the existing legislation; monitoring tools for production, use, importation and exportation; updated inventory; public awareness, etc. 3) Activity: production, import and export, use, identification, labelling, removal, storage and disposal of PCBs and equipment containing PCBs (Annex A, part II chemicals). Actions include: To develop environmentally acceptable strategies for the management of PCB; review the Waste Management Act, etc. 4) Activity: production, import and export, use, stockpiles and wastes of DDT (Annex B chemicals) if used in the country. ACtivity: review current legislation; limit usage of DDT just for malaria management; appropriate management of empty containers, etc. 5) Activity: register for specific exemptions and the continuing need for exemptions. Actions encompasses: To complete the national Annex C POPs inventory; strengthen competent authorities for proper enforcement of the Annex C; etc. 6) Activity: manage stockpiles and appropriate measures for handling and disposal of articles in use. Activities include: Waste Management Act to address the management of sites contaminated by Annex A, B and C Chemicals; identify sites contaminated with POPs; etc. 7) Activity: facilitating or undertaking information exchange and stakeholder involvement. Actions are: resuscitation of the POPs Committee and development of its ToRs/mandate (in relation to NIP implementation); establishment of a network of experts including NGOs (national and international) to act as a clearing house mechanism; establishment of reporting channels; etc. 8) Activity: public awareness, information and education (article 10). Actions encompass: training, education, easy access to information. 9)Activity: effectiveness evaluation (article 16). Actions aim to provide an inventory all Annex A and Annex B chemicals imported each year; submit reports for Annex C on POPs, etc. In the document, some of the Activities of the SC, are not addressed separately but are linked to other sections as the actions for their achievement matches with another activity.