This guidance document aims to assist parties to the Stockholm Convention in developing a regulatory framework and monitoring concept that can facilitate the monitoring of products and articles that contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
It includes guidance on key issues to consider for the enforcement of regulations under such a framework. With the development of a framework for monitoring and identification of new POPs, the provisions of the Stockholm Convention on new POPs can be enforced. This in turn protects consumers from the risks arising from the exposure to POPs and increases their confidence in products on the market. If appropriately communicated to the consumers and by possibly including them in a bi-directional information exchange, their awareness of new POPs can be increased and might contribute to the overall awareness of POPs.
The target audience is national focal points of the convention, policymakers and government officials involved in their national implementation plan (NIP) review and update process.