Evaluation

Paragraph 6 of Part II of Annex B to the Stockholm Convention requires the Conference of the Parties at least every three years, to evaluate the continued need for DDT for disease vector control on the basis of available scientific, technical, environmental and economic information.  Additionally, the COP has endorsed the establishment of a DDT Expert Group to provide an assessment of DDT and that will make recommendations to the COP on the continued need for DDT and on other relevant issues pertaining to DDT.  The process below has been approved by the COP to undertake the evaluation of DDT:

1. Questionnaire sent out by the secretariat

Paragraph 4 of Part II of Annex B to the Stockholm Convention requests each Party that use DDT to inform the Secretariat every three years on the amount used, the conditions of such use and its relevance to that Party’s disease management strategy.  The COP has endorsed a questionnaire to support Parties to provide such information.  The Secretariat notifies Parties at the appropriate time to complete the questionnaire.   Parties complete the questionnaire and return it to the Secretariat. 

 2. Secretariat undertakes preliminary assessment on DDT

 The Secretariat collates and compiles the information received on the completed questionnaires, seeks further information from the World Health Organization and other relevant entities and carries out a preliminary assessment on DDT.

 3. DDT Expert Group carries out assessment of DDT

 At least six months before each COP, the DDT Expert Group meets to assess the continued need for DDT and any other pertinent issue regarding DDT and its alternatives.  The DDT Expert Group provides a report to the COP including its recommendations on the continued need for DDT for disease vector control.

 4. COP makes decision on the continued use of DDT

At least every three years and invariably at each COP which occurs every two years, a decision is made on the continued need for DDT for disease vector control.