National implementation plan for reduction and elimination of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Republic of Macedonia – NIP Update.

This National implementation plan for reduction and elimination of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Republic of Macedonia – NIP Update is a strategic policy that updates the National Implementation Plan on Reduction and Elimination of POPs which was adopted on 24 January 2005. In order to ensure the protection and improvement of the environment and ensure a healthy and long lasting quality of life of its citizens, R. Macedonia is involved in solving the global problem of POPs chemicals. The Stockholm Convention was ratified by Republic of Macedonia in 2004, and Macedonia along with 156 countries worldwide contributed to reduction and elimination of the adverse effects of POPs chemicals.
The new POPs chemical are now part of the Annexes to the Convention, including pesticides, industrial chemicals (including flame retardants) and unintentionally produced (generated) chemicals. Most of them are in Annex A requiring of the member states to eliminate the production and use of said substances (except in cases where specific exemption was requested): alpha hexachlorocyclohexane; beta hexachlorocyclohexane; chlordecone; hexabrombiphenyl; hexabromdiphenyl ether and heptabromdiphenyl ether; perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride; and tetrabromdiphenyl ether and pentabromdiphenyl ether. One of the new substances (Lindane) was added to Annex B, and its production and use is permitted only for specific “acceptable purposes” in accordance with the specific exemptions. The remaining POPs (pentachlorobenzene) are in Annex C requiring of the member states to reduce the unintentional emissions of these substances by application of best available techniques (BAT) and by promotion of best environmental practices (BEP).