Signed: 22 May 2001

Come into force: 17 May 2004

The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs).  POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms and are toxic to humans and wildlife.  POPs circulate globally and can cause damage wherever they travel.  In implementing the Convention, Governments will take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment.

For details please click http://www.chem.unep.ch/pops/.