Reports and Decisions

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17, on effectiveness evaluation, as they relate to specific exemptions,

1. Notes, pursuant to paragraph 9 of Article 4 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, that as there are no longer any Parties registered for specific exemptions for the production and use of short-chain chlorinated paraffins from 18 December 2023, no new registrations may be made with respect thereto as of that date;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17, on the effectiveness evaluation, as they relate to DDT,

1. Takes note of the report by the DDT expert group on the assessment of the production and use of DDT and its alternatives for disease vector control, including the conclusions and recommendations set out therein; the report on the first set of consultations under the intersessional process of consultations with the 18 Parties in the DDT register on a possible phase-out plan; the report by the United Nations Environment Programme on the implementation of the road map for the development of alternatives to DDT and of the Global Alliance for the Development and Deployment of Products, Methods and Strategies as Alternatives to DDT for Disease Vector Control; and the World Health Organization Guidelines for Malaria;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to polychlorinated biphenyls,

1. Expresses its appreciation to the lead country, Colombia, and to the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls for their work;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17 on the effectiveness evaluation as they relate to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride,

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to Article 5 on measures to reduce or eliminate releases from unintentional production,

1. Takes note of the updated joint Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and best available techniques and best environmental practices expert roster, the reports of the expert meetings on best available techniques and best environmental practices, and the report on the polychlorinated dibenzo p dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans releases reported according to Article 5 and Annex C to the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17, on effectiveness evaluation, as they relate to measures to reduce or eliminate releases from stockpiles and wastes,

1. Welcomes with appreciation decision BC-16/3, on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, in which the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, at its sixteenth meeting, adopted updated general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants and other technical guidelines specific to persistent organic pollutants listed in that decision;

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17, on the effectiveness evaluation, as they relate to implementation plans,

1. Welcomes the implementation plans transmitted by Parties pursuant to Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to the listing of chemicals in Annexes A, B and/or C,

1. Welcomes the reports of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the work of its seventeenth and eighteenth meetings;

The Conference of the Parties,

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for methoxychlor as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee that methoxychlor be listed in Annex A to the Convention without specific exemptions,

The Conference of the Parties,

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for Dechlorane Plus as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee that Dechlorane Plus be listed in Annex A to the Convention with specific exemptions,

The Conference of the Parties,

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for UV-328 as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee that UV-328 be listed in Annex A to the Convention with specific exemptions,

The Conference of the Parties

Acknowledging challenges encountered by Parties in developing appropriate strategies for identifying persistent organic pollutants in stockpiles, products and articles in use and in wastes as referred to in subparagraph 1 (a) of Article 6 of the Stockholm Convention, and in identifying, to the extent practicable, persistent organic pollutants in stockpiles as referred to in subparagraph 1 (b) of Article 6 of the Convention,

1. Urges Parties to effectively implement subparagraphs 1 (a) and (b) of Article 6 of the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

I Technical assistance

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to technical assistance,

1. Takes note of the report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2022–2025 in the biennium 2022-2023, including capacity-building activities for the implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and of the database summarizing technical assistance needs;

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to financial resources and mechanisms,

I Guidance to the financial mechanism

1. Takes note of the updated complete set of guidance to the financial mechanism and of the outcome of the meeting regarding how to proceed with retiring, streamlining and consolidating the guidance to the financial mechanism;

The Conference of the Parties,

Recognizing that environmental challenges have been increasing in magnitude and complexity while resources aimed at mitigating problems are not matching needs,

Welcoming the assessment of the relevance for the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants of existing guidelines developed by the United Nations system on the mobilization of resources from non-State actors,

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17, on effectiveness evaluation, as they relate to reporting pursuant to Article 15 of the Stockholm Convention,

1. Takes note of the progress made by the Secretariat in further improving the electronic reporting system and of the proposed revisions to the national reporting template, including for the collection of information on polychlorinated biphenyls;

The Conference of the Parties

Mindful of the purpose of the effectiveness evaluation, namely, to assess whether the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants has succeeded in achieving its objective of protecting human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants,

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/17, on effectiveness evaluation, as they relate to the global monitoring plan,

1. Takes note of the report of the meeting of the global coordination group and the information from the United Nations Environment Programme on its support for the global monitoring plan;

The Conference of the Parties,

Adopts the compliance procedures and institutional mechanisms under Article 17 of the Stockholm Convention set out in the annex to the present decision.

The Conference of the Parties,

Recognizing that the sharing of services within a stable framework will enhance cooperation and coordination based on experience and proximity and can foster the effective implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and the Minamata Convention without undermining the autonomy of the secretariats or the accountability of their executive heads,

Recalling decisions BC-15/24, RC-10/13 and SC-10/20, on cooperation and coordination with the Minamata Convention on Mercury,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its fourteenth meeting related to plastic waste, including marine plastic litter and microplastics, , the report by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination for the period 1 January 2019–31 December 2021, the update provided by the secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management on the intersessional process considering the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and wastes beyond 2020, and the information on activities undertaken by the United Nations Environment Programme on programmatic matters pertaining to the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

Clearing-house mechanism for information exchange

Noting also decision RC-11/5 on the Compliance Committee of the Rotterdam Convention, in particular the activities on information exchange included in the programme of work for the biennium 20242025 of the Compliance Committee,

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling decisions BC-15/27, RC-10/16 and SC-10/23, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes,

1. Reiterates its encouragement to Parties to voluntarily provide information about cases of international trade in hazardous chemicals occurring in contravention of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, using the forms adopted by the conferences of the Parties to the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions at their tenth meetings;

The Conference of the Parties,

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-11/16, on effectiveness evaluation, as they relate to strengthening science-policy-industry interactions,

1. Takes note of the information on action to implement the road map for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in informed dialogue for enhanced science-based action in the implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Decides to convene the next meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants back to back, from 28 April to 9 May 2025, in Geneva;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling decision SC-10/26, in which it requested the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to comply with the memorandum of understanding between the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, in particular with regard to core services costs to be supported by the United Nations Environment Programme pursuant to the annex to the memorandum of understanding,

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decision SC-10/26 on the programme of work and budget for the Stockholm Convention for the biennium 2022–2023,

Taking note of the financial reports for 2020 and 2021 from the General Trust Fund for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention general trust fund),

The Conference of the Parties

I Effectiveness evaluation committee

1. Elects, in accordance with the terms of reference set out in the annex to the framework for the effectiveness evaluation of the Stockholm Convention, the following 10 members to serve on the effectiveness evaluation committee of the Convention until the closure of the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties:

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions BC-14/27, RC-9/15 and SC-9/25, on the dates and venue of the next meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Requests the Secretariat to forward the report on the fifth review of the financial mechanism and the report of the full assessment of the funding necessary and available for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention for the period 2022–2026 to the Global Environment Facility;

The Conference of the Parties,

Taking note of the financial reports on the Stockholm Convention trust funds for 2020 and estimated expenditures for 2021 from the trust fund for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention general trust fund),

The Conference of the Parties

1. Notes, pursuant to paragraph 9 of Article 4 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, that, as there are no longer any Parties registered for specific exemptions for the production and use of hexabromocyclododecane, pentachlorophenol and technical endosulfan and its related isomers, no new registrations may be made with respect thereto;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report of the DDT expert group on the assessment of the production and use of DDT and its alternatives for disease vector control, including the conclusions and recommendations set out therein; the report by the United Nations Environment Programme on the implementation of the road map for the development of alternatives to DDT and the report by the World Health Organization on the use of DDT and DDT alternatives in disease vector control;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Expresses its appreciation to the lead country, Colombia, and to the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls for their work, and requests the small intersessional working group and the Secretariat to continue to undertake the activities referred to in paragraphs 6 and 9 of decision SC-9/3;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the Secretariat for the evaluation and review of brominated diphenyl ethers; ,

2. Urges Parties to strengthen measures for the environmentally sound management of wastes, including products and articles upon becoming wastes, containing or contaminated with brominated diphenyl ethers in accordance with their obligations under Article 6 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, taking into consideration the updated guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices relevant to the polybrominated diphenyl ethers listed under the Stockholm Convention, the updated general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, and the updated technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether, or tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether or decabromodiphenyl ether;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the updated joint roster of experts nominated by Parties and others to be consulted in the process of further development of the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants and of the guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices and of the reports of the expert meetings on best available techniques and best environmental practices;

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Welcomes with appreciation decision BC-15/6, on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, in which the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, at its fifteenth meeting, adopted updated general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants and other technical guidelines specific to persistent organic pollutants listed in that decision;

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Welcomes the implementation plans transmitted by Parties pursuant to Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and urges those Parties that have not transmitted their implementation plans to transmit them as soon as possible;

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Welcomes the reports of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the work of its fifteenth and sixteenth meetings;

2. Appoints the 17 designated experts listed in the annex to the present decision to serve as members of the Committee with terms of office from the closure of the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to 4 May 2026;

The Conference of the Parties,

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS-related compounds as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling its decision SC-10/13, by which it decided to amend part I of Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to list perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and PFHxS related compounds without specific exemptions,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report on the needs of developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition for technical assistance and technology transfer as well as of the database summarizing the technical assistance needs;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling decision SC-10/3 on the financial mechanism adopted during the online segment of its tenth meeting, held from 26 to 30 July 2021,

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Takes note of the progress made by the Secretariat in further improving the electronic reporting system and of the proposed revisions to the national reporting template, including for the collection of information on polychlorinated biphenyls;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling decision SC-10/4 entitled “Interim programme of work and budget for the Stockholm Convention for 2022”, whereby it, among other things, took note of the information on the modalities for the continuation of the intersessional work and processes of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants emanating from the decisions of the Conference of the Parties at its ninth and previous meetings, including the work of the subsidiary bodies, to be implemented until the end of 2022, in accordance with the interim budget for the Convention for the year 2022,

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decision SC-10/4 entitled “Interim programme of work and budget for the Stockholm Convention for 2022”, whereby it, among other things, took note of the information on the modalities for the continuation of the intersessional work and processes of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants emanating from the decisions of the Conference of the Parties at its ninth and previous meetings, including the work of the subsidiary bodies, to be implemented until the end of 2022, in accordance with the interim budget for the Convention for the year 2022,

The Conference of the Parties,

Recognizing that the sharing of services within a stable framework will enhance cooperation and coordination based on experience and proximity and can foster the effective implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and the Minamata Convention without undermining the autonomy of the secretariats or the accountability of their executive heads,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal at its fourteenth meeting related to plastic waste, including marine plastic litter and microplastics, , the report by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination for the period 1 January 2019–31 December 2021, the update provided by the secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management on the intersessional process considering the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and wastes beyond 2020, and the information on activities undertaken by the United Nations Environment Programme on programmatic matters pertaining to the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the joint clearing-house mechanism;

2. Takes note of the workplan for the implementation of the joint clearing-house mechanism for the biennium 20222023;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Adopts the forms to enable Parties to the Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions to voluntarily provide information about cases of trade occurring in contravention of those conventions;

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Takes note of the information on progress in the action by Parties and others to promote the implementation of the road map for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in informed dialogue for enhanced science-based action in the implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, as provided in the note by the Secretariat on “From science to action”;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Notes with appreciation the offer by the Government of the Bahamas to host the next meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2023 in the Bahamas;

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decision SC-10/4 on the interim programme of work and budget of the Stockholm Convention for 2022 adopted during the online segment of its tenth meeting, held from 26 to 30 July 2021,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Notes, pursuant to paragraph 9 of Article 4 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, that, as there are no longer any Parties registered for specific exemptions for the use of the following chemicals, no new registrations may be made with respect to them:

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the DDT expert group on the assessment of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control, including the conclusions and recommendations set out therein, the reports by the United Nations Environment Programme on the implementation of the road map for the development of alternatives to DDT and on the implementation of the Global Alliance for the Development and Deployment of Products, Methods and Strategies as Alternatives to DDT for Disease Vector Control and the report by the World Health Organization on the use of DDT and DDT alternatives in disease vector control;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Expresses its appreciation to the lead country, Colombia, and the small intersessional working group on polychlorinated biphenyls established in decision SC-8/3 for their work pertaining to the review of progress towards the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls and takes note of the report on progress towards the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls and the recommendations of the small intersessional working group;

La Conférence des Parties,

Having considered the report on the assessment of alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride submitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee and the report on the evaluation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride submitted by the Secretariat,

The Conference of the Parties

Having decided by decision SC-9/4 to amend the acceptable purposes and specific exemptions for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride in Annex B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report set out in the note by the Secretariat on the review of the effectiveness of the procedure under paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and of the conclusions contained therein;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the updated joint roster of experts on the Toolkit and on best available techniques and best environmental practices and the reports of the expert meetings on the Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes with appreciation decision BC-14/4 on technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants, by which the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, at its fourteenth meeting, adopted updated general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants and other technical guidelines specific to persistent organic pollutants listed in that decision;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the implementation plans transmitted by Parties pursuant to Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and urges those Parties that have not transmitted their implementation plans to transmit them as soon as possible;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the reports of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the work of its thirteenth and fourteenth meetings;

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for dicofol as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile, the risk management evaluation and the addendum to the risk management evaluation for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA related compounds as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

The Conference of the Parties

Review of the specific exemptions for the production and use of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds for the use of perfluorooctyl iodide for the production of perfluorooctyl bromide for the purpose of producing pharmaceutical products

1. Invites each Party in the register of specific exemptions for the production and use of PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds for the use of perfluorooctyl iodide for the production of perfluorooctyl bromide for the purpose of producing pharmaceutical products listed in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to report to the Secretariat, by 1 December 2025, justifying its need for the registration of that exemption;

The Conference of the Parties

I

Technical assistance

1. Takes note of the report on the implementation of the technical assistance plan for the period 2018–2021 in the biennium 2018–2019 and the work carried out on monitoring and evaluation;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the seventh replenishment of the Global Environment Facility trust fund and the report of the Facility to the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Notes:

(a) The progress made by the Secretariat in further improving the electronic reporting system;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Adopts the revised framework for effectiveness evaluation;

2. Requests the Secretariat to prepare a preliminary report to facilitate the evaluation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, using the information obtained from existing arrangements under the Stockholm Convention, along with any other relevant information, and to make it available to the effectiveness evaluation committee following the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, by 31 January 2022.

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report of the meeting of the global coordination group and the regional organization groups, including the regional strategies for implementation of the third phase of the global monitoring plan, setting out monitoring arrangements and timelines for the completion of the third regional monitoring reports, and of the report by the United Nations Environment Programme on sustainable monitoring in the framework of the global monitoring plan;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the ministerial declarations and the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly at its third and fourth sessions, and joins in the expression of deep concern that our planet is increasingly polluted and in the encouragement to Governments and all other stakeholders to contribute to the effective implementation of the plan “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet”;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling that the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme performs secretariat functions for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions as well as for the Minamata Convention on Mercury,

Emphasizing the successive decisions of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions to enhance cooperation and coordination with the secretariat of the Minamata Convention, maximizing the effective and efficient use of resources at all levels, including the provision of any secretariat support that may be requested and is fully funded by the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the joint clearing house mechanism;

2. Also welcomes the work of the Secretariat in preparing a draft workplan for the implementation of the joint clearing house mechanism for the biennium 2020–2021;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling decisions BC-13/21, RC-8/14 and SC-8/24, on synergies in preventing and combating illegal traffic and trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes,

1. Takes note of the information provided by Parties about their experience with the establishment of coordinating mechanisms and lessons learned from such experience, and about cases of illegal trade in hazardous chemicals and wastes;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the road map for further engaging Parties and other stakeholders in informed dialogue for enhanced science-based action in the implementation of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants ;

The Conference of the Parties

Taking note of the United Nations Environment Programme November 2016 delegation of authority policy and framework for the management and administration of multilateral environmental agreement secretariats and other bodies for which the United Nations Environment Programme provides the secretariat or secretariat functions,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Decides to accept with thanks the offer by the Government of Kenya to host the next meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2021 at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, and, accordingly, agrees to convene these meetings back to back, from 17 to 28 May 2021 in Nairobi, subject to the conclusion of a host country agreement between the host Government and the Secretariat;

The Conference of the Parties

Requests the Secretariat to assess the relevance for the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants of existing guidelines developed by the United Nations system on the mobilization of resources from non-State actors, such as private-sector entities, non-governmental organizations and development banks, to inform possible future arrangements relating to this matter, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its next meeting.

The Conference of the Parties

Taking note of the financial reports on the Stockholm Convention trust funds for 2018 and estimated expenditures for 2019 from the trust fund for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention general trust fund),

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to Article 4 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and relevant parts of Annexes A and B to the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to DDT,

1. Takes note of the report by the DDT expert group on the assessment of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control, including the conclusions and recommendations set forth therein;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to polychlorinated biphenyls,

1. Takes note of the consolidated assessment of efforts to eliminate polychlorinated biphenyls developed by the Chemicals and Waste Branch of the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics of the United Nations Environment Programme, in cooperation with the Secretariat and in consultation with the advisory committee of the Polychlorinated Biphenyls Elimination Network, and the report on the activities of the Network7 prepared by the Chemicals and Waste Branch;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to the elimination of brominated diphenyl ethers8 contained in articles,
Recalling that, pursuant to paragraph 6 of Article 3 of the Stockholm Convention, any Party that has a specific exemption in accordance with Annex A to the Convention shall take appropriate measures to ensure that any production or use under such exemption is carried out in a manner that prevents or minimizes human exposure and release into the environment,

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride,
Recalling paragraph 7 of decision SC-7/5, by which it decided to undertake the further evaluation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride pursuant to paragraphs 5 and 6 of part III of Annex B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants at its ninth meeting,

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to Article 5 on measures to reduce or eliminate releases from unintentional production,

1. Takes note of the nominations to the joint Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices expert roster16 and the reports of the expert meetings on the Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to measures to reduce or eliminate releases from stockpiles and wastes,
1. Welcomes with appreciation decision BC-13/4 on technical guidelines on persistent organic pollutants, by which the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, at its thirteenth meeting, adopted updated general technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants and other technical guidelines specific to persistent organic pollutants listed in that decision;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to implementation plans,

1. Welcomes the additional implementation plans transmitted by Parties pursuant to Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention, including revised and updated plans;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to the listing of chemicals in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Convention,

1. Welcomes the reports of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the work of its eleventh and twelfth meetings36 and the documents forwarded by the Committee to the Conference of the Parties;

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile, the risk management evaluation and the addendum to the risk management evaluation for decabromodiphenyl ether (commercial mixture, c-decaBDE) as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee that decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) of c-decaBDE be listed in Annex A to the Convention with specific exemptions,

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for short-chain chlorinated paraffins as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee that short-chain chlorinated paraffins be listed in Annex A to the Convention with controls to limit the presence of short-chain chlorinated paraffins in other chlorinated paraffin mixtures, with or without specific exemptions,

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for hexachlorobutadiene, as well as the evaluation of new information in relation to listing hexachlorobutadiene in Annex C to the Convention, as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee that hexachlorobutadiene be listed in Annex C to the Convention and the conclusion of the evaluation of new information on unintentional production of hexachlorobutadiene,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Invites each Party listed in the register of specific exemptions for decabromodiphenyl ether listed in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention to report to the Secretariat, by December 2019, justifying its need for the registration of that exemption;

2. Invites each Party listed in the register of specific exemptions for decabromodiphenyl ether listed in Annex A to the Convention, as well as observers, to provide to the Secretariat, by December 2019, information on the following:

The Conference of the Parties

Invites each Party listed in the register of specific exemptions for short-chain chlorinated paraffins listed in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention to report to the Secretariat, by December 2019, justifying its need for the registration of that exemption;

2. Invites each Party listed in the register of specific exemptions for short-chain chlorinated paraffins listed in Annex A to the Convention, as well as observers, to provide to the Secretariat, by December 2019, information on the following:

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to technical assistance and the recommendations contained in the report on the overall review of the synergies arrangements,

1. Requests the Secretariat to continue to collect, through the database established for that purpose, information on the technical assistance and capacity-building needs of developing-country Parties and Parties with economies in transition;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling Articles 13 and 14 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,

Recognizing the urgent need for financial resources for developing countries for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention and the considerable gap between that need and the financial resources provided by the principal entity entrusted with the operations of the financial mechanism of the Convention under the current financial arrangements,

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to Article 15 on reporting,

1. Takes note of the progress made by the Secretariat in further improving the electronic reporting system;

The Conference of the Parties

Mindful of the purpose of the effectiveness evaluation, namely, to assess whether the Convention has succeeded in achieving its objective of protecting human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants,

Recognizing that conclusions and recommendations by the effectiveness evaluation committee as to the effectiveness of specific measures of the Convention to achieve its objective have an impact on all elements of the Convention and are useful in informing the relevant processes and mechanisms under the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to the global monitoring plan,

1. Takes note of the report on the meetings of the global coordination group;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination; the note by the Secretariat on integrating chemicals and waste management into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals; and the information provided by the secretariat of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management on the Strategic Approach and the sound management of chemicals and wastes beyond 2020;

The Conference of the Parties

Mindful of the legal autonomy of, respectively, the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,
Reaffirming that actions taken to enhance coordination and cooperation should be aimed at strengthening the implementation of the three conventions at the national, regional and global levels, promoting coherent policy guidance and enhancing efficiency in the provision of support to Parties with a view to reducing their administrative burden and maximizing the effective and efficient use of resources at all levels, taking into account national-level activities, circumstances and priorities, as appropriate,

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to Article 9 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, on information exchange,

1. Welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the joint clearing-house mechanism;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality, adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015 in its resolution 70/1, entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”,

Recalling also United Nations Environment Assembly resolution 2/5 of 27 May 2016, entitled “Delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, which, among other things, stresses the importance of respecting, protecting and promoting gender equality in delivering the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the priority areas for action recognized in decision SC-8/18 on effectiveness evaluation as they relate to strengthening legislation and regulations for the implementation and enforcement of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,

Mindful of decision BC-13/10 on national legislation, notifications, enforcement of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal and efforts to combat illegal traffic under the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Emphasizes that, through its subsidiary bodies, expert groups and other related mechanisms, including with other partners, the necessary processes are in place to ensure science-based work and decision-making under the Basel Convention on the Control of the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and welcomes their work in that regard;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the legal autonomy of the Conference of the Parties and noting that the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the conferences of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants have equal decision-making authority within their respective mandates,

The Conference of the Parties

Taking note of the financial reports on the Stockholm Convention trust funds for 2016 and estimated expenditures for 2017 from the Trust Fund for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention Trust Fund),

The Conference of the Parties

1. Agrees to amend paragraph 6 of the review process for entries in the Register of Specific Exemptions to read as follows:

“6. This review process will be open-ended. It will continue to be reviewed, as necessary, by the Conference of the Parties as part of its consideration of specific exemptions and amended as the Conference of the Parties deems appropriate.”;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the DDT expert group on the assessment of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control, including the conclusions and recommendations contained therein;

2. Concludes that countries that are relying on indoor residual spraying for disease vector control may need DDT for such uses in specific settings where locally safe, effective and affordable alternatives are still lacking for a sustainable transition away from DDT;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of:

(a) The information relevant to polychlorinated biphenyls from the reports provided by parties pursuant to Article 15 in accordance with paragraph (g) of part II of Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Adopts the format for the submission of information for the evaluation and review of brominated diphenyl ethers pursuant to paragraph 2 of parts IV and V of Annex A to the Convention set out in the annex to the present decision and decides to use it for the evaluation and review at its eighth meeting and at every second ordinary meeting thereafter in accordance with the process set out in decision SC-6/3;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling its decision SC-7/1, in which it notes, pursuant to paragraph 9 of Article 4 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, that as there are no longer any parties registered for the specific exemptions for the production and use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride for carpets, leather and apparel, textiles and upholstery, paper and packaging, coatings and coating additives and rubber and plastics, no new registrations may be made with regard to them,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report set out in the annex to the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for the procedure under paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3, and of the conclusions contained therein;

2. Concludes that there is a continued need for the procedure under paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report of the expert meeting on best available techniques and best environmental practices and the Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants under the Stockholm Convention and the conclusions and recommendations of the Toolkit experts;

2. Recognizes that the listing of new substances in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Convention will trigger the need to further update existing guidance and/or develop new guidance to support parties in implementing new obligations, requiring specific expertise;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the nominations to the joint Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices expert roster, the report of the second expert meeting on best available techniques and best environmental practices and the conclusions and recommendations of the experts on best available techniques and best environmental practices;

2. Adopts the workplan set out in the annex to the present decision;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes with appreciation decision BC-12/3 on technical guidelines on persistent organic pollutants, by which the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, at its twelfth meeting, adopted updated general technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants and other technical guidelines specific to persistent organic pollutants listed in that decision;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the additional implementation plans transmitted by parties pursuant to Article 7 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants including the revised and updated plans;

2. Takes note of the deadlines for the transmission of revised and updated implementation plans;

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list hexachlorobutadiene in Annexes A and C to the Convention,

Recalling its decision SC-7/12, by which it lists hexachlorobutadiene in Annex A to the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for hexachlorobutadiene as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list hexachlorobutadiene in Annexes A and C to the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters in Annex A to the Convention with specific exemptions for the production and use of pentachlorophenol for utility poles and cross-arms,

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation for chlorinated naphthalenes as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

Taking note of the recommendation by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to list dichlorinated naphthalenes, trichlorinated naphthalenes, tetrachlorinated naphthalenes, pentachlorinated naphthalenes, hexachlorinated naphthalenes, heptachlorinated naphthalenes and octachlorinated naphthalene in Annexes A and C to the Convention,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the reports of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the work of its ninth and tenth meetings and documents forwarded by the Committee to the Conference of the Parties;

2. Appoints the 17 designated experts to serve as members of the Committee;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided by the Secretariat on technical assistance for the implementation of the Convention;

2. Welcomes the development of a database for the collection of information pertaining to the needs of parties for the implementation of the Convention, as well as information on available assistance;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Emphasizes the role of the regional and subregional centres in enhancing the provision of technical assistance for capacity-building to support the national efforts of developing countries and countries with economies in transition for the implementation of the chemicals and waste conventions in accordance with their terms of reference;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the Secretariat reviewing the availability of financial resources additional to those provided through the Global Environment Facility and the ways and means of mobilizing and channelling those resources in support of the objectives of the Convention, as requested by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in resolution 2;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the note by the Secretariat on the report on the effectiveness of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties and the Council of the Global Environment Facility;

2. Welcomes the report of the Global Environment Facility to the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, takes note of the leveraging ratio of 1:3 between the Facility project grant and other resources, and also takes note of the concerns raised by some parties in this regard;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Adopts the terms of reference for the fourth review of the financial mechanism set out in the annex to the present decision;

2. Requests the Secretariat to compile information relevant to the fourth review of the financial mechanism and submit it to the Conference of the Parties for consideration at its eighth meeting.

The Conference of the Parties

1. Stresses that the sound management of chemicals and wastes has a global environmental benefit and emphasizes that the sound management of chemicals and wastes is an essential element of sustainable development;

2. Reaffirms the guidance to the financial mechanism that it adopted in previous decisions, as reflected in the note by the Secretariat;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information presented in the note by the Secretariat;

2. Joins the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme in welcoming an integrated approach to addressing the financing of the sound management of chemicals and wastes, underscoring that the three components of an integrated approach, mainstreaming, industry involvement and dedicated external finance, are mutually reinforcing and are all important for the financing of the sound management of chemicals and waste at all levels and emphasizing the importance of implementing the three components, as agreed in decision 27/12 of the United Nations Environment Programme Governing Council, requests the Secretariat to assist parties in that respect, subject to the availability of resources, and recognizes the importance of the joint programme of work to that end;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the report prepared by the Secretariat pursuant to paragraph 2 (d) of Article 20 based on the reports submitted by parties under Article 15 and of the summary of the report set out in the note by the Secretariat on reporting pursuant to Article 15;

2. Takes note with concern of the low level of reporting and requests the Secretariat to further refine the draft strategy to enhance reporting under the Stockholm Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Elects, in accordance with the terms of reference set out in the appendix to the framework for effectiveness evaluation, the following members to serve on the effectiveness evaluation committee until the close of the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties:

From African States: Ms. Elham Refaat Abdel Aziz (Egypt)

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the reports of the meetings of the global coordination group and regional organization groups and welcomes the conclusions and recommendations of the global coordination group;

2. Welcomes the updated guidance on the global monitoring plan and encourages parties to use it and provide comments on their experience in doing so to the Secretariat through the regional organization groups;

The Conference of the Parties

Recalling Article 17 of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,

Mindful that the procedures and institutional mechanisms called for under Article 17 will help address compliance,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the Secretariat on international cooperation and coordination;

2. Joins with the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme in emphasizing that the sound management of chemicals and wastes is an essential and cross-cutting element of sustainable development and is of great relevance to the sustainable development agenda;

The Conference of the Parties

Mindful of the legal autonomy of, respectively, the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Notes the progress made in the implementation of the joint clearing-house mechanism, which should serve as a platform for the exchange and dissemination of information;

2. Takes note of the proposed joint clearing-house mechanism strategy and invites parties and others to provide comments on the strategy, in particular its scope, on national and regional priorities and needs in respect of the clearing-house mechanism and on the goals described in section IV of the strategy, to the Secretariat by 31 October 2015;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Recognizes the importance of the science-policy interface for the effectiveness of the conventions;

2. Stresses the need for scientific underpinning for decision-making and policy-making in the sound management of hazardous chemicals and wastes at the national and regional levels;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Decides to convene its eighth meeting in Geneva from 24 April to 5 May 2017, back to back with the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal and the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade; that will include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues;

The Conference of the Parties

Noting the legal autonomy of the Conference of the Parties and noting that the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme and the conferences of the parties to the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants have equal decision-making authority within their respective mandates,

The Conference of the Parties

Taking note of the financial reports on the Stockholm Convention trust funds for 2014 and estimated expenditures for 2015 from the Trust Fund for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention Trust Fund),

Also taking note of the Office of Internal Oversight Services audit report (number 2014/024) entitled “Provision of efficient and effective Secretariat support to the conventions” and of the efforts made by the Secretariat to quantify the results achieved in implementing joint activities in accordance with the recommendation of the report,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the DDT expert group on the assessment of the continued need for DDT for disease vector control, including the conclusions and recommendations contained therein;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Approves the form for notification of specific exemption(s) for production and use of technical endosulfan and its related isomers set out in the annex to the present decision;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes notes of the information submitted by parties for the evaluation and review of brominated diphenyl ethers listed in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants pursuant to paragraph 2 of parts IV and V of that Annex and on their experiences in implementing the recommendations on the elimination from the waste stream of brominated diphenyl ethers set out in the annex to decision POPRC-6/2;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Adopts the process set out in the annex to the present decision to enable the Conference of the Parties to undertake the evaluation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride in accordance with paragraphs 5 and 6 of part III of Annex B to the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report set out in annex I to the note by the Secretariat on the evaluation of the continued need for the procedure under paragraph 2 (b) of Article 3 of the Stockholm Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Recalls decision SC-5/7, by which the Conference of the Parties decided to undertake, at its seventh meeting, a review of progress towards the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls in accordance with paragraph (h) of part II of Annex A to the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided by parties on their experiences in implementing the recommendations set out in the annex to decision POPRC-6/2 and of the low rate of response from parties;

The Conference of the Parties

Recognizing that the assessment of chemical and non-chemical alternatives to endosulfan carried out by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee should not be seen as a comprehensive and detailed assessment of all available information and that failure to meet the thresholds of the persistent organic pollutant characteristics should not be taken as evidence that any of the chemicals assessed is not a persistent organic pollutant,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the reports of the Toolkit expert meetings;

2. Welcomes the conclusions and recommendations of the Toolkit experts set out in the annex to the note by the Secretariat on the review and updating of the Standardized Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Dioxin and Furan Releases and welcomes the revised Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Releases of Dioxins, Furans, and Other Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the nominations to the joint Toolkit and best available techniques and best environmental practices expert roster and of the report of the first meeting of the expert group on best available techniques and best environmental practices;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the work undertaken under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal to update the technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the additional implementation plans transmitted by parties pursuant to Article 7, including the revised and updated plans;

The Conference of the Parties

Having considered the risk profile and the risk management evaluation and its addendum for hexabromocyclododecane as transmitted by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee,

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the reports of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the work of its seventh and eighth meetings;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided by the Secretariat on technical assistance for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided by the Secretariat on regional centres;

2. Also takes note of the workplans for the biennium 2012–2013 and activity reports for the period 2011–2012 submitted by the Stockholm Convention regional and subregional centres and the nominated Stockholm Convention centre;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report by the Secretariat on the assessment of funding needs of parties that are developing countries or countries with economies in transition to implement the provisions of the Convention over the period 2015–2019;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the note by the Secretariat on the report on the effectiveness of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties and the Council of the Global Environment Facility;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the report on the third review of the financial mechanism;

2. Requests the Secretariat to transmit that report to the Global Environment Facility for consideration during the sixth replenishment process of the Global Environment Facility and for action as appropriate;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the information provided in the note by the Secretariat on consolidated guidance to the financial mechanism;

2. Reaffirms the guidance to the financial mechanism that it adopted in decisions SC 1/9 and SC-4/27 and the additional guidance that it adopted in decisions SC-2/11, SC 3/16, SC 4/28 and SC 5/23;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Adopts the revised reporting format set out in the note by the Secretariat;

2. Takes note of the progress made by the Secretariat in further improving the online electronic system for reporting based on the revised reporting format and the comments received from parties on their experiences in using the system and in view of the use of the national reports as one element in undertaking an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Convention pursuant to Article 16;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the comments submitted by parties on the proposed framework for effectiveness evaluation and of the report prepared by the Secretariat on the availability of information outlined in the revised framework for effectiveness evaluation and on the use of the elements and indicators set forth therein;

The Conference of the Parties

1. Takes note of the report of the meeting of the global coordination group and regional organization groups and welcomes the conclusions and recommendations of the global coordination group;

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling Article 17 of the Stockholm Convention,

Mindful that the procedures and mechanisms called for under Article 17 will help address issues of non-compliance, including by facilitating assistance and providing advice to parties facing compliance issues,

1. Decides to consider further at its seventh meeting for adoption the procedures and mechanisms on non-compliance required under Article 17 of the Convention;

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Decides to convene in 2015 back-to-back ordinary meetings of the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (without a high-level segment or simultaneous extraordinary meetings) in Geneva that include joint sessions, where appropriate, on joint issues and that prioritize an agenda and schedule that focus on substantive matters related to implementation of the conventions and provide sufficient time for their consideration;

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Adopts the revised harmonized form for notification of contacts, as set out in the annex to the present decision;

2. Urges parties to nominate official contact points and national focal points, if they have not already done so, using the revised form, as well as to confirm and provide the Secretariat with updated contact details for existing official contact points and national focal points;

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Takes note of the proposal for the development of a memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention and the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme concerning the provision of secretariat functions;

The Conference of the Parties,

1. Approves the application form for admission as an observer at meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, set out in the annex to the present decision;

The Conference of the Parties,

Decides that five members of the Bureau may participate in joint meetings of the bureaux of the conferences of the parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, having due regard for the principle of equitable geographical representation of the five regions of the United Nations.

The Conference of the Parties,

Taking note of the financial reports on the Stockholm Convention trust funds for 2012 and estimated expenditures for 2013 from the Trust Fund for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention Trust Fund),

1. Approves the programme budget for the biennium 2014–2015 of 5,732,172 United States dollars for 2014 and 6,048,917 United States dollars for 2015 for the purposes set out in table 1 of the present decision, which are presented by budget code line in table 2 of the present decision;