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Singapore ratifies the Stockholm Convention and accedes to the Rotterdam Convention 
Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 12:00 AM

Singapore has ratified the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and acceded to the Rotterdam Convention on the 'Prior Informed Consent' Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. Both are international agreements on control of hazardous chemicals.

Singapore deposited its instruments of ratification and accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York on 24 May 2005. Both conventions will enter into force for Singapore on the 90th day after the date of deposit of the instruments.

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
25 MAY 2005

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemicals that resist degradation and pose a long-term risk to the well-being of human populations and wildlife. The Stockholm Convention aims to control production and use of all manufactured POPs (ie. industrial chemicals and pesticides). It also seeks the continuing minimisation and, where feasible, ultimate elimination of releases of unintentionally produced POPs, such as dioxins and furans, which are by-products of incineration.

The National Environment Agency has since 1980 banned the use of the 10 POP industrial chemicals and pesticides in Singapore. Air emission standards have also been introduced under the Environmental Pollution Control (Air Impurities) Regulations 2001 to limit dioxins and furans releases.

Rotterdam Convention on 'Prior Informed Consent' Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

The Rotterdam Convention obliges parties to observe a legally binding procedure, whereby exporting countries must obtain the 'Prior Informed Consent' of importing countries before export of the controlled hazardous chemicals can proceed. Currently, the Convention regulates 39 hazardous chemicals comprising 28 pesticides and 11 industrial chemicals, some of which are POPs. These chemicals under the Rotterdam Convention are also subject to controls under the Environmental Pollution Control Act and its Regulations.