Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention On Persistent Organic Pollutants (Pops) in Slovakia.

The Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention On Persistent Organic Pollutants (Pops) in Slovakia (2006) contains the evaluation of individual POPs issues in Slovak Republic (SR) with emphasis to the requirements of the international obligations and detailed activities were proposed for the individual sectors.
Activity: Elimination of unintentional production and use of POPs (to improve the existing mechanism of stockpile records of obsolete POPs plant protection preparations in order to facilitate the information flow to NCP-POPs; To implement an effective information system on the usage of chemical preparations and products containing HCB (except plant protection preparations); To secure environmentally sound destruction of POPs pesticides in Slovakia, with respect to BAT/BEP ongoing; To set up and implement a public awareness raising information campaign; in particular adequate training of those, performing inventory of obsolete pesticide stockpiles and wastes in the agricultural sector). Activity: Phase–out and disposal of PCB equipment (To assure continuous inventory of PCBs containing equipment; To secure environmentally sound destruction of PCBs in Slovakia, with respect to BAT/BEP; To assure and carry out decontamination of polluted areas; To assure elaboration and implementation of technical standards concerning analysis, transportation, storage, exchange, decontamination and destruction of PCBs; To apply measures for reduced PCB penetration into the food chain and effectively reduce the population exposure; To set up and implement a public awareness raising campaign; in particular adequate training of public as well as private sectors). Activity: Assessing and checking chemicals in use (Personnel strengthening of respective body for assessment of new chemicals with POPs characteristics; Ensure an effective control system for industrial chemicals with POPs characteristic). Activity: Reduction of total releases from unintentional production (To enforce consistently the requirement of operating certain activities in compliance with BAT & BEP for new sources and gradual implementation of BAT & BEP in existing sources; To set up a framework for monitoring and mitigation of total releases of chlorine or other halogens containing pollution; To reach compliance in the pulp bleaching technology, based on molecular chlorine, with IPPC BAT requirements within the period of ten years; To modify current reporting methods; To develop and implement an education, training and course system; To promote BAT & BEP related research, among others). Activity: Identification and remediation of contaminated sites (To assure environmental assessment in PCBs contaminated areas; To develop a remediation strategy for the contaminated areas and execute the remediation activities; To establish a steering body). Other activities are related to monitoring, reporting, raising public awareness and legal framework.