Geneva, Switzerland, 9 May 2025 — After two weeks of intensive negotiations (28 April to 9 May), the 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions concluded today at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG). Governments from 180 countries adopted a series of bold decisions to advance the sound management of chemicals and wastes, protect human health, safeguard the environment and biodiversity and contribute to tackling climate change.

“These landmark decisions arising from intense multilateral negotiations have a profound impact on how we can address pollution, and its interconnectedness with climate change and biodiversity.” Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

High Level Segment: A Call for United Global Action to Tackle Pollution, Advance Circularity and Strengthen Implementation

The High-Level Segment of the 2025 COPs convened ministers from around the world to reinforce their commitment to addressing pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss through multilateral and integrated action. Key messages included strong support for eliminating persistent organic pollutants (POPs), aligning chemicals and waste management with climate and biodiversity goals, strengthening legal frameworks and promoting regulatory tools such as extended producer responsibility. Governments underscored the need for enhanced technical cooperation, digital traceability and innovative financing, including blended finance, to translate global commitments into inclusive national action.

Basel Convention (BC COP-17) Advances Environmentally Sound Waste Management

In a major step forward, Parties adopted an amendment to Annex IV to update definitions of disposal operations - providing enhanced clarity as to what is defined as waste under the Convention with a view to improving its environmental controls.

Delegates also adopted a new strategic framework for the Convention for 2025-2031, along with recommendations to improve the Prior Informed Consent procedure, the cornerstone of the Convention for controlling transboundary movements of waste. In addition, Parties adopted a range of recommendations from the Implementation and Compliance Committee to enhance the support provided to Parties in fulfillment of their obligations under the Convention.

Further actions were decided to improve the environmentally sound management of e-waste and plastic waste, with a focus on strengthening the implementation of the recent amendments to the Convention addressing these challenging waste streams.

A new area of work was launched on used textiles and textile wastes, exploring the impact of such trade and the challenges faced by Parties, with a view to preparing recommendations on possible options offered by the Convention to address these challenges.

The COP also agreed to several technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of key waste streams, including technical guidelines on UV-328 waste, a persistent chemical used in plastics and by various industries to protect materials from degradation caused by UV radiation. Parties also updated technical guidelines to set more protective threshold values for the destruction of POPs waste. Parties highlighted the need to safely manage used tyres, batteries (including lead-acid batteries and other types) and mercury waste. They agreed to continue developing technical guidelines that set international standards and support countries in creating national laws and strategies needed for effective and sustainable waste management.

Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12) Strengthens International Trade Governance and Chemical Safety

The Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-12) achieved important progress in strengthening chemical safety in international trade by listing one pesticide and one severely hazardous pesticide formulation in Annex III of the Convention making them subject to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure and empowering Parties to take informed decisions regarding their future import.

Fenthion is a chemical used in some African countries to control Quelea birds, which can destroy entire fields of grain crops like millet and rice. These birds travel in huge flocks and cause serious damage, especially to small-scale farmers. Fenthion helps protect food supplies but due to its broad-spectrum toxicity and environmental persistence, it can also harm other birds, animals and people if not managed carefully.

Carbosulfan is a pesticide used on crops like rice, cotton and vegetables to kill pests such as insects and tiny worms in the soil. It helps farmers protect their crops and improve yields, but it’s also toxic to humans, wildlife and aquatic life.

“Though listing does not constitute a ban, alternatives with a reduced risk are vital to protect human health and the environment, and at the same time help ensure food security.” Christine Fuell, Executive Secretary a.i. of the Rotterdam Convention

Their listing also reinforces the Convention’s role in promoting transparency and safeguarding human health and the environment. In addition, RC COP-12 approved a programme of work for the Convention’s compliance committee and engaged in intensive deliberations on proposals to enhance the Convention’s effectiveness, underscoring commitment to ensuring safer, more transparent trade in hazardous chemicals globally.

Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12) Decisive Action to Eliminate and Restrict POPs

The Stockholm Convention (SC COP-12) advanced global chemical safety by listing medium chain chlorinated paraffins used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, paints and sealants and long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), commonly used in food packaging and firefighting foams. Listing these chemicals in Annex A to the Convention lines them up for elimination.

Chlorpyrifos, a highly toxic pesticide widely used in agriculture for locust and termite control and known to have adverse effects on the nervous system, was also listed. Specific, time-bound exemptions were agreed for the use of UV-328, a chemical commonly used to protect materials from degradation caused by UV radiation, specifically in the aviation industry, supporting the practical phase-out of harmful chemicals.

Parties recognized that over USD 18 billion of funding is needed to support countries in implementing their obligations under the Stockholm Convention during the 2026-2030 period. This submission, along with the 2025 and 2028 PCB elimination targets, will be prioritized for presentation to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for consideration during its ninth replenishment cycle. The newly operationalized Compliance Committee will provide both targeted and general support to help Parties fulfill their obligations under the Convention.

COPs Reinforce International Cooperation and Support to Advance Chemicals and Waste Management

The Conferences of the Parties (COPs) reaffirmed the vital importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges related to chemicals and waste. Parties adopted key decisions to enhance implementation through technical assistance and improved access to financing. They also committed to stronger collaboration with other environmental agreements and initiatives, including the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC), the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC), the Open-ended Working Group on the Science-Policy Panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution prevention, and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and related biodiversity conventions. Governments underscored that sound management of chemicals and waste is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Felix Neureuther Named BRS Conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers

The Conferences of the Parties welcomed the appointment of German alpine ski champion and long-standing environmental advocate Felix Neureuther as the BRS Conventions Advocate for Clean Mountains and Glaciers. In this role, Felix will collaborate with the BRS Conventions to promote prevention, support clean-up initiatives and engage youth - helping to amplify the Conventions’ mission to protect human health and the environment from the harmful impacts of hazardous chemicals and waste.

Notes to editors

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1992, is the most comprehensive international environment treaty on hazardous and other wastes and is almost universal, with 191 Parties. With an overarching objective of protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes, its scope covers a wide range of waste subject to transboundary movements defined as hazardous based on their origin and/or composition and characteristics, as well as four types of waste defined as “other wastes”, namely household waste, residues arising from the incineration of household waste ash, certain plastic waste and certain electronic and electrical waste requiring special consideration.

The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC) for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2004, is jointly administered by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UN Environment (UNEP). The 167 Parties to this legally binding Convention share responsibility and cooperate to safely manage chemicals in international trade. The Convention does not introduce bans but facilitates the exchange of information among Parties on hazardous chemicals and pesticides, to inform and improve national decision making. In addition, through the PIC Procedure, it provides a legally binding mechanism to support national decision-making on the import and export of certain chemicals and pesticides and disseminates decisions to Parties.

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, is a global treaty requiring its 186 Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment, to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment.

The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, or BRS Secretariat, supports Parties implement these three leading multilateral environment agreements governing sound chemicals and waste management, according to the mandates in each Convention and as decided by the governing bodies.

For media enquiries, contact:

Maria Cristina Cardenas-Fischer, Head of Unit and Senior Policy and Strategy Advisor, Policy and Strategy Unit, Executive Office, BRS Secretariat, maria-cristina.cardenas@un.org and mea-brs-communications@un.org

Scientists at the 19th Persistent Organic Pollutant Review Committee (POPRC-19) meeting agreed that two chemicals should be considered hazardous and controlled under the Stockholm Convention of the United Nations.

In a crucial step in protecting human health and the environment, a Committee of expert scientists gathered at the POPRC-19 meeting in Rome, Italy, to review hazardous chemicals and to decide whether to recommend that they be included in the Stockholm Convention, so countries take measures to eliminate or restrict production and use and manage their wastes.

The family of chemicals known as medium-chain chlorinated paraffins has been recommended to be listed for elimination under the convention. These chemicals are often used in metalworking fluids as lubricants and coolants and can also be used as an additive to make plastic softer. They are also used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, as well as in paints, sealants, and rubber. However, scientists have concluded they pose a significant risk to human health, due to their ability to last over time in the human body without breaking down, leading to severe health conditions including cancer.

Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids have been recommended to be listed for elimination under the convention. These chemicals belong to the family of PFAS, known as ‘forever chemicals’. Owing to their water, stain, and grease-resistant properties, they are commonly used in industrial and consumer products such as in the manufacture of semiconductors, printing inks, paints and coatings, paper and food packaging, waterproof textiles, cleaning products, and firefighting foams.

Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, Rolph Payet, said:

“The outcome of this meeting continues the dynamic science of the Stockholm Convention in identifying and eliminating persistent organic pollutants.

This week builds on the world-leading scientific research that has been carried out under the Stockholm Convention, to protect the environment, biodiversity, and human health.”

The Committee agreed that these chemicals may still be used in specific circumstances. The recommendations for listing including specific exemptions will be considered at the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, which will take place in 2025.

In addition to these decisions, POPRC-19 adopted the risk profile for the highly toxic pesticide ‘chlorpyrifos’, meaning that the chemical will now be considered for recommendation at the next POPRC meeting. Chlorpyrifos is a highly toxic insecticide widely used in agriculture. It poses significant health risks, is particularly dangerous to children and pregnant women, and has adverse effects on the nervous system.

Over the next year, the Committee will assess information on socio-economic considerations and possible control measures for chlorpyrifos as part of its risk management evaluation and will consider a recommendation for listing.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat) brings together the three leading multilateral environmental agreements that share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.
http://www.brsmeas.org/

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, is a global treaty requiring its Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment, to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment.
http://chm.pops.int/

The 19th meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-19) was chaired by Dr Peter Dawson from New Zealand, and was held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 9 - 13 October 2023.

During this meeting, POPRC-19 recommended the inclusion of two groups of chemicals in Annex A for elimination: chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14–17 and chlorination levels at or exceeding 45 per cent chlorine by weight, commonly referred to as ‘medium-chain chlorinated paraffins’ or MCCPs, and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and related compounds.

For information on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention, contact: Kei Ohno Woodall, BRS Secretariat Senior Coordination Officer, kei.ohno@un.org

For media inquiries, contact: Asana Greenstreet, BRS Secretariat Public Information Officer, asana.greenstreet@un.org

Experts from around the world worked on draft risk profiles and draft risk management evaluations to determine whether to recommend that a series of chemicals fulfil the criteria to be considered Persistent Organic Pollutants under the Stockholm Convention.

The 18th meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-18) concluded today in Rome, Italy. Chaired by New Zealand’s Dr Peter Dawson, POPRC-18 was held from 26 to 30 September 2022, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

POPRC’s Committee of 31 experts from around the world meets every year to review chemicals and determine whether to recommend to the Convention’s governing body that the chemicals be listed under Annex A (elimination), B (restriction) or C (unintended release) to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

This time around, POPRC-18 recommended the listing of two industrial chemicals – Dechlorane Plus and UV-328 – under Annex A. A flame retardant and a UV absorbent respectively, both chemicals are heavily used as plastic additives, including for uses that require time to be phased out, such as for motor vehicles, industrial machines and in medical devices. For that reason, the POPRC-18 recommendations included time-limited specific exemptions, which will be considered by the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-11).

In addition, the Committee made recommendations related to the continued need for exemptions with respect to industrial chemicals that are already listed under the Stockholm Convention. The chemicals are decabromodiphenyl ether, short-chain chlorinate paraffins (SCCPs), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF). The recommendations will also be put for consideration at the SC COP-11.

POPRC-18 also adopted two risk profiles for “chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C₁₄-C₁₇ and chlorination levels at or exceeding 45 per cent chlorine by weight (MCCPs)” and “long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), their salts and related compounds”. MCCPs are used in adhesives, paints, and textiles. Long-chain PFCAs, their salts and compounds, have a wide range of applications, including in carpet protectors and firefighting foams. The PORRC-18 Committee evaluated the chemicals’ persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential for long-range environmental transport, ultimately determining that global action is warranted, as the chemicals generate adverse effects on human health and the environment.

The meeting closed on a high note, with an official communication from the Convention’s depositary that Italy had ratified the Stockholm Convention, thereby becoming its 186^th Party. The Convention will enter into force for this newest Party on 28 December 2022.

The 19^th POPRC meeting will take place from 9 to 13 October 2023 in Rome where the Committee experts will consider the risk profile of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, among other tasks.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat) brings together the three leading multilateral environmental agreements that share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.
 https://www.brsmeas.org/

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants looks to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long-lasting chemicals by restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage.
https://chm.pops.int/

For information on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention, contact: Kei Ohno Woodall, BRS Senior Programme Management Officer, kei.ohno@un.org

For media inquiries, contact: Marisofi Giannouli, BRS Associate Public Information Officer, marisofi.giannouli@un.org