Position paper - The recast of the POP regulation: an opportunity to improve the management of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the EU

The European Commission’s intention to recast the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) Regulation while assigning new tasks to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) provides a unique opportunity to improve the EU’s approach to the implementation of the Stockholm Convention, in particular the process for nomination of new substances by the EU. There is a need for a clear, scientifically-driven, inclusive process to evaluate potential POP candidates. The European Commission should conduct an in–depth impact assessment prior to submission to the Convention and subsequent global ban.
The Commission must enhance the transparency, justification and predictability of EU processes for managing POP substances, including the interrelationship with REACH.
The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) stresses the need for an open policy debate that takes stock of the experience gained so far and proposes concrete improvement actions.