New Zealand’s National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

The Goal of the New Zealand’s National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2006) is to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants by implementing the Stockholm Convention. New Zealand’s overall objectives for the NIP are to: communicate the actions undertaken to implement the Stockholm Convention eliminate the remaining uses of POPs implement an Action Plan for Dioxins and Other Annex C Chemicals to minimise and, where feasible, eliminate releases of unintentionally produced POPs6 dispose of POP stockpiles, and manage sites contaminated by POPs comply with the Stockholm Convention.
Table 1 summarizes measures and responsibilities of the National Implementation Plan. Examples include: 1) to eliminate releases from the intentional production and use of POPs the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) will administer the HSNO Act 1996 in matters relating to assessing new chemicals, pesticides or industrial chemicals currently in use that exhibit POP characteristics and the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and New Zealand Customs Service will control movement of POP chemicals and POP hazardous waste across the border. 2) To protect human health and the environment by continuing the minimisation and, where feasible, ultimate elimination of release of dioxins and other Annex C chemicals, the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) will review and update a New Zealand Release Inventory of Dioxins and other Annex C chemicals, monitor and periodically evaluate laws and policies, identify strategies to minimise releases, promote information, etc. 3) To reduce or eliminate release from stockpiles and wastes ERMA will administer the system of exemptions for the use and storage of PCBs to achieve the withdrawal and disposal of exempted PCB stocks, will facilitate the ongoing collection and disposal of miscellaneous and minor PCB stocks, and promote among rural property owners the safe interim storage of historical POPs. Etc.