Consultation on the update to the national implementation plan on persistent organic pollutants

April 2013

Introduction

The Government of Canada has released the final version of the Update to Canada’s National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), April 2013. During the 45 day public comment period, interested parties were invited to review and provide comments on the draft version of this document.  No comments were received during this time and consequently, only minor formatting changes were made when finalizing this document.

The Update to the National Implementation Plan discusses Canada’s plans, policies and programs in place to meet our commitments regarding the nine POPs that were recently added to the Stockholm Convention:

• Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane (Alpha-HCH)
• Beta hexachlorocyclohexane (Beta-HCH)
• Lindane (gamma-HCH)
• Chlordecone
• Hexabromobiphenyl (HBB)
• Hexabromodiphenyl ether (Hexa-BDE) and Heptabromodiphenyl ether (Hepta-BDE)
• Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB)
• Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (Tetra-BDE) and Pentabromodiphenyl ether (Penta-BDE)
• Perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluoro-octane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOS)

In April 2011, Canada ratified the addition of these nine POPs and an updated National Implementation Plan was prepared which fulfills our reporting obligation under Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention. The final version of Canada’s Update to the National Implementation Plan was transmitted to the Stockholm Convention Secretariat in advance of the April 4, 2013, deadline.

If you have any questions related to the risk management of POPs or the Stockholm Convention, please contact:

Risk Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants Section
Chemicals Management Division
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Boulevard, 10^th Floor
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0H3
Email: GR-RM@ec.gc.ca