What are the United Nations Conventions?
There are a handful of United Nations Conventions which potentially apply to brominated flame retardants, including Conventions under both the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of five regional commissions of the United Nations. UNECE is a forum where 56 countries of North America, Western, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia come together to draw up tools of economic cooperation. All UN Member States have observer status and may participate in its work. Over 70 international professional organizations and other non-governmental organizations, which have consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, take part in UNECE activities.
One of the main areas of activity of UNECE is environment, for which it draws up conventions and protocols, regulations and standards.
Under the UNECE umbrella, BFRs are respectively targeted by:
1. The Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) signed in Geneva on 13 November 1979. Under this Convention, BFRs are more specifically addressed by the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) signed in Aarhus (Denmark) on 24 June 1998.
2. The Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters signed in Aarhus on 25 June 1998. The note below will provide background information on UNECE and the instruments mentioned above together with their references to BFRs.
The UNECE POP list of substances in the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Polution (CLRTAP)
Since its adoption in 1979, the CLRTAP aims at addressing environmental issues in the UNECE region. Besides laying down the general principles of international cooperation for air pollution abatement, the Convention provides an institutional framework linking science and policy. Its scientific Working Groups (e.g. Working group on strategy and reviews), the Working Group on Effects and the Steering Body of EMEP, and their Task Forces and international centres address the issues that enable the Convention to develop the science-based policies and control measures in its protocols.
The Convention, which entered into force in 1983, has been extended by eight protocols which identify specific obligations or measures to be taken by Parties. One of these eight Protocols is the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in the 1998 Aarhus Protocol on POPs
The Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was adopted on 24 June 1998 in Aarhus, Denmark. It focused on a list of 16 substances that were singled out according to agreed risk criteria. The substances comprised eleven pesticides, two industrial chemicals and three by-products/contaminants. The ultimate objective is to eliminate any discharges, emissions and losses of POPs.
The "Working-Group on Strategies and Review" then initiated a revision procedure including further assessment of substances not included in the Protocol. Finland and Sweden prepared a draft dossier assessing Pentabromodiphenyl ether (Penta-BDE) and another assessing Octabromodiphenyl ether (Octa-BDE). In 2009, the Parties of CLRTAP decided to list commercial Penta-BDE and commercial Octa-BDE as POP substances under the Aarhus Protocol on POPs.
In November 2008, Norway prepared a draft dossier assessing Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). In June 2009, the POPS Task Force concluded that HBCD meets the criteria to be considered as a POP. Potential risk management options for HBCD are currently being examined.
The impact on EU policy
The EU and its Member States signed the Protocol on POPs. On 16 June 2003, the European Commission proposed that the European Union ratify the UNECE Protocol on POPs. At the same time, the European Commission decided to propose a Regulation to fulfil the obligations from the international agreements at home and to enable prompt ratification by the EU.
The United Nations Environmental Programme
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was adopted on 22 May 2001 and entered into force on 17 May 2004. It requires Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment. The Convention is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme and is a global agreement; 170 countries are Parties to the Stockholm Convention on POPs.
At the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention (May 2009), the decision was taken to list commercial Penta-BDE and commercial Octa-BDE in the list of POP substances. The ban will enter into force on 16 August 2010. The EU POP regulation will be amended accordingly.
In 2008, Norway prepared a draft dossier nominating Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) for potential inclusion in the Stockholm Convention on POPs. The POP Review Committee concluded that HBCD meets the criteria for consideration as a POP under the Convention. Therefore, a risk profile of HBCD is currently being developed. This risk profile will determine whether HBCD as a result of its long-range transport is likely to lead to significant adverse human health and/or environmental effect such that global action is needed.
