The POPs Review Committee reviews chemicals proposed for listing in the Convention’s Annexes. It also recommends listings to the Conference of the Parties. The Committee relies on information provided by Parties and observers. A national capacity for compiling relevant data and providing accurate information is critical in order to identify and nominate new POPs and to review candidate chemicals.

This workshop aims to support and strengthen the capacity of developing countries and those with economies in transition to participate fully in the Committee’s work. It will gather focal points and key stakeholders of the Stockholm Convention as well as the representatives of the health sector which plays a significant role in the human health risk assessment requirements.

The session will use the handbook developed by the Committee for the purpose of improving understanding and enhancing participation by Parties and stakeholders in the work of the Committee. The handbook explains the process and requirements of the POPRC, the methodologies for identification, and compilation of national information required for the Committee’s work, implications of listing of new chemicals under the Convention, and the process for identifying exemption needs. Furthermore, some past and current members of the POPRC from the region will participate in the workshop in order to exchange experiences. The outcome of the workshop will be reported to the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties scheduled to meet on 6-8 May 2009 in Geneva.

Objectives:

• To enhance the understanding of stakeholders on the processes of the listing of chemicals in Annex A, B and C of the Convention and the roles of the POPs Review Committee
• To improve national capacity for chemical risk assessment in the context of the POPs Review Committee and to develop competencies that will continuously assist countries to implement risk management.
• To provide guidance on information collection methodology and enhance network among stakeholders in order to increase the participation of countries in the process to identify and review candidate POPs.