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

The National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 2006 is an integral part of Iceland’s strategy for sustainable development. It has been prepared in accordance with Iceland’s National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2002 - 2020 and applying the precautionary principle.
Activities and strategies follow: 1) Institutional and regulatory strengthening measures: regulations have been implemented in Iceland, which cover the use and management of POP substances; operating permits are required for activities that may emit unintentionally produced POPs and emission standards have been set; strengthening of the institutional framework for implementation of SC is consider not necessary; a regulation on contaminated soil is being prepared with the aim of strengthening the regulatory framework for the management of contaminated sites. 2) Measures to reduce or eliminate releases from use, stockpiles and wastes of Annex A and Annex B pesticides: Icelandic regulation prohibits production, import and use of Annex A and Annex B pesticides. Pesticides have never been produced in Iceland and the Annex A and B pesticides, with the exception of aldrin, chlordane and DDT, have never been used in the country. 3) Measures to reduce or eliminate releases of PCBs (Annex A, part II chemicals): PCBs have never been produced in Iceland and Regulation No 323/1998 prohibits all uses of PCBs after 2010. 4) Measures to reduce releases from unintentional production: The main sources of PCDD/PCDF are waste incineration, fishing and industry. 5) Measures to reduce releases form stockpiles and wastes (contaminated land and waters): Regulation 806/1999 sets the framework for management of hazardous wastes in Iceland covering packaging and labeling, classification and hazardous risk estimate, permits for waste reception facilities and transport operators, documentation, reporting and transport. Transboundary transports of wastes are subject to the provisions of the Basel Convention in accordance with Regulation No 224/2005; The Act on Pollution Prevention of the Sea and Coastal Areas of 2004 prohibits dumping of wastes and other matter into the maritime area; a regulation on contaminated soil is under preparation; projects will be launched aimed at identifying contaminated sites, etc. 6)Information exchange and public awareness The Environment and Food Agency of Iceland has been designated as a focal point for exchange of information under Article 9.