Governance & Policy
Stockholm Convention
Definition
The Stockholm Convention, adopted in 2001 and in force since 2004, obliges parties to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants — chemicals such as DDT, PCBs, dioxins and PFOS that resist degradation, bioaccumulate and cause adverse health and environmental effects. New chemicals are added to its annexes through a scientific review committee.
References
Scope, annexes and review process
Sister convention for hazardous waste
Overview
What it means
The world's most dangerous long-lived chemicals are progressively banned or controlled under a standing scientific process.
How it is used
Regulators implement national plans; contaminated-site managers handle POPs waste under its rules; chemicals producers track new listings such as PFAS-related substances.
Why it matters
It is the global mechanism phasing out legacy pollutants and the forum where PFAS-era chemical concerns are being internationalised.
Review questions
What source or framework gives the term authority? What boundary or role is being described? What evidence would a reviewer need before relying on the term?