This report summarizes the Regional Workshop for Europe, Africa and Asia: POPs and Border Control – HS Code Classification and Practical Application. It explored how Harmonized System (HS) codes can be leveraged to identify, control and trace persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and POP-containing products in international trade, thereby strengthening implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and improving the quality of POPs inventories used for National Implementation Plan (NIP) updates.
The workshop brought together customs authorities, Stockholm Convention focal points and other stakeholders to clarify how POPs are classified in the HS system, how they may appear in articles such as electrical equipment, textiles, foams and vehicles, and how limitations in HS coverage can hinder their detection. Participants also explored current and forthcoming HS codes for POPs, real-world cases of illegal trade and practical tools to improve POPs inventories and strengthen the use of trade data in NIP updates.
As part of the GEF-funded and UNEP-led “Global Development, Review and Update of NIPs under the Stockholm Convention on POPs” project, the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) is executing Component 4, focused on disseminating information, managing knowledge and coordinating with the Stockholm Convention Secretariat to provide accessible, integrated tools and resources for all Parties.