National Implementation Plan of Palau for the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants.

The National Implementation Plan (NIP) for the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) lays down control measures for POPs and other hazardous chemicals through various actions, including elimination, prohibition of future production and use of the twelve chemicals regulated by the Convention, as well as the application of a range of measures for the reduction of releases of the unintentional POPs. This NIP provides a framework that outlines prioritized issues and 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 Convention. This NIP consists of key actions through action plans: (I) for the implementation of this NIP, (II) to address pesticides, (III) to address PCBs and Contaminated Sites, (IV) to address unintentional POPs, (IV) to address awareness, education and information exchange, and (V) to address research, development and monitoring.
The controls on the importation, exportation, production and use of all pesticides, including POPs will be effectively enforced and any existing POPs chemicals will be disposed in an environmentally sound manner. An effective and efficient tracking system of POPS will be established to track restricted, banned and allowed pesticides in Palau and to prohibit POPs pesticides from entering Palau. The monitoring capacity will be strengthened for food, water, soil, air, hazardous wastes, imports, stationary source and vehicle emissions and research of IPM will be promoted. The awareness of the public and private sector will be raised on shipping, sale, proper use, handling, storage and disposal of pesticides. Integrated pest management and traditional agro-forestry practices will be developed and promoted. The legal and regulatory frameworks will be strengthened to ensure compliance to best approach to the management and disposal of hazardous chemicals and wastes, with a special emphasis on the Pesticides Act. The use of transformers containing PCB and other equipment containing PCBs will be banned. A comprehensive plan will be developed for identifying the location of PCB and items containing residues of PCB. A mechanism will be developed to test equipment for the presence of PCBs, update inventories and properly store and dispose equipment and wastes. Progressive reductions in the release of unintentionally produced POPs will be ensured through the utilization of best environmental practices and best available techniques and the enforcement of controls on all sources of unintentional POPs production. The inventory of dioxin and furans releases will be conducted, and the monitoring system for agricultural, commercial, industrial, household and other sources will be developed. Ambient criteria and standards for emissions will be set for the application of best environmental practices and best available techniques. Information exchange, awareness and education on POPs, POPs exposure, reduction and possible elimination will be increased at all levels. The presence of POPs will be monitored to reduce and/or eliminate releases into the environment, promote research and development in POPs, to prevent the import of POPs and POPs containing equipment, and ensure their environmentally sound disposal. Public awareness will be raised on the effects of POPs and other hazardous chemicals.