National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on POPs.

The National Implementation Plan (NIP) for management of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) lays down actions for the protection of human health and the environment from the adverse impacts of persistent organic pollutants and other hazardous chemicals in compliance with the requirements of the Stockholm Convention. This NIP consists of specific strategies and action plans: (I) to address the intentional production and use of POPs pesticides, (II) to address specific requirements for PCBs, (III) on measures to minimize and ultimately eliminate the unintentional production of POPs, (IV) on measures to reduce or eliminate releases from stockpiles, wastes and contaminated sites, (V) to address public information, awareness and education, and (VI) to address research, development and monitoring.
The importation, intentional production and use of POPs pesticides, with the exception of DDT, will be banned and measures will be taken to improve the controls of future imports and use of other pesticides in the Marshall Islands. Regulatory framework will be updated and strengthened to ensure better provision of product information and user instructions, including amendments to the pesticide regulations if necessary. Capacity building will be enhanced amongst government agencies, importers and users for better compliance with, and monitoring and enforcement of, the pesticide regulations. A formal PCB Transformer Inventory will be finalized. Systems will be established for identifying and managing PCBs in small capacitors and other electrical equipment and for reporting, documentation, removal and safe storage of all PCBs. Suitable facilities will be designed for the safe storage of PCB-containing equipment and other hazardous wastes. Ongoing systems will be established for the removal and disposal of PCBs in an environmentally sound manner. Institutional capacity building will be enhanced for determining releases of unintentional POPs, and for promoting the application of Best Available Technology/Best Environmental Practice to new and existing processes. Measures will be taken to ensure safe handling, collection, transport and storage of POPs wastes and their environmentally sound disposal. The implementation of the National Waste Management Strategy will be strengthened through the promotion of waste minimization activities, including composting and recycling. The current facilities will be upgraded for the management and disposal of quarantine and medical wastes. Existing draft regulations on air emissions standards for stationary and mobile sources will be developed. Preliminary site identification and site assessments will be carried out for potentially contaminated sites throughout the Marshall Islands. Site management plans will be prepared for the 10 highest priority contaminated sites. Public awareness will be raised through education and information dissemination on POPs, their effects on human health and the environment, and the activities carried out under the Stockholm Convention. Research and development and monitoring of POPs and other hazardous chemicals will be strengthened to meet the requirements of the Stockholm Convention. Local facilities will be developed and access to overseas resources will be improved for the monitoring of POPs and other pollutants. The Environmental Protection Authority will be the leading agency responsible for carrying out this programme, information exchange under the Convention, and meeting the reporting requirements.