A POPs inventory is a compilation of information on past and present production and uses of a chemical listed in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the country. As many POPs are used in the manufacture of products/articles which may have a long service-life, a comprehensive inventory should also estimate the amount of POP in the products/articles in the country (e.g. in buildings or used by consumers) along the whole life-cycle, thus contributing to the provisions of Article 6 of the Convention on management of waste. An inventory could also address sites which may have been contaminated by production, use, or accidental releases of POPs. The inventory report can be also used for other purposes such as feeding into Article 15 reporting from the COP, development of other projects, and developing effective strategies and action plans for managing POPs to meet the obligations under the Convention (UNEP, 2019a).

The main objective of developing an inventory is to acquire information for the review of the NIP and the various information requirements of the Convention (e.g. Article 15 reporting) (UNEP, 2019a).

More specifically, the objectives are to (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Provide the basis for identification of the national priorities in the NIP (i.e. the quantities of the POP that are produced, used, stored as stockpiles, and generated as waste in the country, identify the important economic sectors and operators and the type of actions required for those sectors, estimate the
capacities needed for implementation, identify sources that should be prioritised); (b) Identify dispersive uses in open applications that might pose a risk to humans and the environment for prioritisation.
(c) Provide a basis for the evaluation whether the current national use, production, chemical and waste management meet the
requirements of the Convention and identify areas where they do not; (d) Provide information on the need for specific exemptions or acceptable purposes, if available;
(e) Support Article 15 reporting to the Convention;
(f) Identify the relevant stakeholders in the government, academia, industry, waste management, commerce, NGOs, etc.;
(g) Identify areas where financial or technical support are needed to fill in the information gaps in the inventory/fulfil the obligations of the Convention.

The information to be obtained for the inventory may include (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Amounts of production, import, export at the national level;
(b) Uses of the chemical in the country;
(c) Presence of products/articles consisting of, containing or contaminated with the POP on the market and in service;
(d) Imports of products/articles consisting of, containing or contaminated with the POP into the country;
(e) Waste streams of importance consisting of, containing or contaminated with the POP;
(f) Disposal practices for the POP, products/articles consisting of, containing or contaminated with the POP and its related substances when they become wastes;
(g) Stockpiles of the POP;
(h) Releases of the POP into the environment from point sources;
(i) Sites potentially contaminated with the POP;
(j) Potential harmful exposure of humans and environment.

The inventory approach proposed in the guidance is tiered to allow Parties to tailor their inventories according to their needs and capacities, adjusting the scope in the course of work based on the findings. The inventory process is iterative. The inventory can be improved over time when resources and technical capacity become available (UNEP, 2019a).

A multi-stakeholder inventory team consisting of authorities, experts, relevant industries and NGOs should be established to coordinate the work and develop the initial scope and workplan for the inventory. The outcome of the work should be a final report that includes the process, sources, assumptions, estimations, and calculations in a transparent way to facilitate future improvements when new information becomes available (UNEP, 2019a).

The first phase (Tier I) in the inventory is to make an initial assessment on the production and use of the POP in the country based on available information. The outcome could be a literature study complemented with information in the inventory team stakeholders. A full picture of the particular POP may not be achieved based only on available information, but the workplan and scope of the inventory may be further refined by e.g. being able to exclude some applications in the country (UNEP, 2019a).

In the second phase (Tier II), further information (and likely the main body of the information) is collected through interviews and questionnaires to stakeholders, i.e. producers, users, users of the products/articles consisting of, containing or contaminated with the POP, waste managers etc. Based on information from the producers and users of the POP, the team should have a reasonable understanding on the flows and uses of the chemical in the country as well as the magnitude and concerned sectors of stockpiles and materials containing the chemical (UNEP, 2019a).

In the third phase (Tier III), in-depth information can be acquired for sectors of special interest and uses of importance to fill-in gaps in the information through chemical analyses and site visits. Analyses are usually expensive and require a lot of technical expertise. Moreover, analytical methods may not be readily available for some POPs (UNEP, 2019a).

The structure and organization of the inventory is always dependent on the chemical, local circumstances, and priorities of the country and the inventory team. Therefore, the guidance is not intended to be prescriptive, but to give ideas for tailoring the approach (UNEP, 2019a).

The use of chemicals in the production is often considered confidential business information (CBI) and is not available in open literature. Concerns over treatment of commercially valuable information may hamper the success of the inventory team in receiving information from the private sector. Stakeholders may wish to keep information that is required to estimate chemical use in the country, such as annual sales or production data, confidential from their competitors. In such cases, it is important to be able to provide guarantees to the companies that the information they provide will not be passed on to third parties. In addition, it should not be possible to deduce quantities for individual stakeholders from the data provided in the reports. This is especially challenging in situations where there are only few companies operating in the sector (UNEP, 2019a).

Data in the inventory report do not need to be reported as stakeholder-specific information. It can be aggregated or processed to accommodate trade-related concerns from the industry. It is important to consider the level of detail the inventory needs and alternatively consider asking the stakeholders to report their yearly production, consumption or sales of the chemical and its related substances themselves in an aggregated form that they are comfortable with (UNEP, 2019a).

The industry also has inherent interest in providing the authorities with factual information on the use and production of a POP, as this would enable the Party to register for acceptable purposes and specific exemptions as necessary, and also reflect their needs in their national regulations (UNEP, 2019a).

For an approach to the treatment of confidential information under the Stockholm Convention, please consult the Code of practice for the treatment of confidential information in the POPs Review Committee (UNEP, 2007).

Step 1: Initiating the inventory development process

Consider establishing a national inventory team to oversee the inventory work, define the scope, and develop the final report. The inventory team may consist of government agencies, academia, advisory bodies, industries, waste management, commerce, NGOs etc. that have knowledge on the production and use of the POP or products/articles consisting of, containing or contaminated with the POP. The composition of the inventory team depends largely on whether the POP is a pesticide or an industrial chemical, or both. Special attention should be paid to ensure participation of industries that operate in areas for which acceptable purposes or specific exemptions have been identified (UNEP, 2019a).

1.1 Establishing a national inventory team

Inventories on POPs pesticides

The inventory team could include representatives of pesticide registration authorities, municipal authorities, agricultural advisory bodies, pesticide industry and trade association, customs service, relevant universities or research institutes, organized labour and trade unions, farmers and consumer associations, among other NGOs (UNEP, 2019a).

Inventories on industrial POPs

The inventory team could include the authorities in the field of chemicals management, chemicals registries, the customs service, representatives from larger stakeholders involved in the production of the POP (if taking place), representatives from the industrial sectors using the POP in manufacture, organized labour and trade unions, universities and research institutes, the relevant NGOs (UNEP, 2019a).

The national focal point for the Stockholm Convention could serve as leader of the team and convene the meetings. National and/or international consultants with relevant expertise could be hired to do the work and report to the team. The team could also sub-divide into smaller sector-specific groups, once the information becomes available, to focus on smaller parts of the inventory (UNEP, 2019a).
The national focal point should brief and educate the team on the Stockholm Convention’s mandates, obligations and the new POPs (UNEP, 2019a).

The knowledge in the inventory team can help identifying the production and supply of the POP and the relevant areas of industrial and professional use, making the inventory as practical and effective as possible. The industries involved in the production, import, and use of the POP should be involved in the discussion on the scope of the inventory (see Chapter 2.3.2), as they may be able to estimate historical and current amounts in different applications (UNEP, 2019a).

1.2 Identifying relevant stakeholders

Based on the tentative information on production and use of the POP in the country, the team should identify relevant stakeholders, who will be contacted for the information in the process. The detailed inventory guidance documents contain lists of suggested stakeholders, which are dependent on the chemical in question and its uses (UNEP, 2019a).

For easy reference, this module specific sections on POPs summarizes the relevant stakeholders for POPs pesticides and industrial chemicals from the inventory guidance documents.

1.3. Defining the scope of the inventory

Defining the scope of the inventory means identifying the relevant national sectors to be investigated in the process, planning the use of resources, and the extent of the activities needed. The inventory process is tiered and the scope will likely need to be adjusted as information on the situation in the country becomes available (UNEP, 2019a).

The following considerations are important for defining the scope of the inventory:

(a) Obligations of the Stockholm Convention, including the possible acceptable purposes and specific exemptions;
(b) Objectives of an inventory;
(c) Available resources and capacity (financial and human resources, analytical capacity);
(d) Life-cycle of the POP;
(e) National priorities (e.g. developing NIPs).

1.4 Developing a workplan

The national inventory team should develop a workplan for the inventory including (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Inventory strategy;
(b) Data collection methodologies to be used;
(c) Activities needed;
(d) Resource allocation including responsibility and budget;
(e) Timeline and milestones.

1.5 Contacting the stakeholders

Stakeholders will likely need to be contacted several times in the course of the inventory. It may be useful to contact them at the beginning of the inventory to inform them about its background and scope. This can give them a better understanding of the aim of the inventory and an opportunity to communicate their views and questions, and to identify more relevant stakeholders. Early stakeholder feedback can also help focus the inventory, thus making it as practical, effective and accurate as possible (UNEP, 2019a).

In the initial contact, it may also be helpful to explain the purpose of the Stockholm Convention, present the NIP and explain the globally agreed and national restrictions for the chemical. Examples of information that could be shared in the initial contact can be found in the annexes of detailed inventory guidance documents (UNEP, 2019a).

Step 2: Choosing data collection methodologies

There are a number of different approaches that have been used for gathering information for POPs inventories. The methodologies can be divided into three groups (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Indicative method: desk study of existing information, workshops and interviews provide initial information for further planning of the inventory depending on the amount of resources (i.e. human and financial situation). This method is quick and does not require significant human and financial resources. This method is normally used in the initial assessment (Tier I).
(b) Qualitative method: use interviews, questionnaires (see detailed guidance documents for examples) and literature surveys to obtain more specific data. Estimations are based on information on quantities of POP used and production volumes in manufacture of products/articles. Workshops may also be helpful in obtaining data from the industry. This method is normally used in Tier I and II.
(c) Quantitative method: collecting specific in-depth information from interviews, site visits and chemical analyses. This is an advanced stage of the inventory that includes detailed interviews with industry and associations where also questionnaires (see detailed guidance documents) can support the survey and possibly site inspection. The quantitative methods include use of chemical analyses to fill-in gaps in the information needed for inventory. This could, for example, include analysing POP content of products/articles imported or on the market. Chemical analyses are expensive, require specific expertise and are normally not used for the in-depth inventory for specific sectors only. This method is normally used in Tier III.

Step 3: Collecting and compiling data

The main data that should be collected in the inventory, taking into account the whole life-cycle of the POP (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Production of the POP or chemical preparations containing it. This could mean e.g. chlordecone and the formulations containing it (pesticides with chlordecone as an active ingredient), or PFOS and formulations containing PFOS (such as fire-fighting foams and hydraulic fluids);
(b) Import of the chemical or formulations containing the chemical. Most countries do not produce POPs themselves but import them as chemicals or chemical preparations;
(c) Import of products/articles consisting of, containing or contaminated with the POP. These could include e.g. pallets treated with the POP pesticide, impregnated utility poles, textiles and upholstery, insulation materials, plastics, leather and apparel, synthetic carpets, and electronic and electrical articles and devices, depending on the chemical;
(d) Industries and other professional users in the country using the POP as a chemical and their stockpiles of the POP;
(e) Industries in the country manufacturing products and articles containing the POP and their stockpiles of the POP;
(f) Products/articles consisting of, containing or contaminated with the POP on the consumer market and in service in the country. This could include e.g. insulation materials, electric and electronic devices, cars etc.;
(g) Existing obsolete pesticides storage facilities;
(h) Waste streams containing the POP and information on their management;
(i) Contaminated sites as information becomes available.

The following quantitative information is sought (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Quantity of the chemical used in industrial processes and manufacture of products/articles;
(b) Quantities of stockpiles;
(c) Quantity of the chemical in products/articles in service;
(d) Quantity of chemical manufactured in the country and/or imported;
(e) Quantities of waste consisting of, containing or contaminated with the POP, as appropriate (see Basel technical guidelines for environmentally sound management of POPs waste for more information).

Collecting inventory-related data is a multi-step process that can be based on a tiered approach. This approach provides flexibility to Parties with varying priorities and capacities and allows for scaling of the work according to the findings (UNEP, 2019a). An initial assessment (Tier I) is carried out to obtain an overview of the relevant uses and stakeholders to be contacted in the key sector under investigation. Tier I methods usually rely on available literature and statistics in combination with calculations based on already existing information, such as risk profiles and risk management evaluation documents adopted by the POPs Review Committee (UNEP, 2019a).

Main inventory (Tier II) will follow to generate data on the main sectors through interviews and questionnaires to the national stakeholders, and further identify missing information. This would also include actions such as desk study on pesticides storage facility contents (UNEP, 2019a).

If needed and resources are available, a more in-depth inventory (Tier III) can be initiated after evaluation of the data gathered in the main inventory. Higher tier methods involve more resource-intensive data collection activities and often also yield more accurate results. For some applications country- or region-specific actions could be considered e.g. in cooperation with regional centres (UNEP, 2019a).

3.1 Tier I: Initial assessment

The initial assessment relies on collecting “low-hanging fruit”, i.e. existing information, desk studies, literature searches, interviews etc. First priority is to get an overview of the present and historical use of the chemical and its life-cycle in the country for refining the scope and planning the inventory process (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Production;
(b) Uses;
(c) Waste management and potential recycling of materials containing the chemical;
(d) Waste storages (mainly in case of obsolete pesticides);
(e) Understanding the life cycle of POP and the potential for emissions.

Pesticide inventories

In the first step, the inventory team should clarify whether the pesticide is still produced and/or used, or would the inventory be only on waste. The team should screen the available information on the pesticide production and use in literature and information from national institutions working on plant protection and pesticides, pesticide industry and industry associations, pesticide trade, and internet searches using CAS numbers and trade names. The pesticide registry, potential food residue studies and all possible previous inventories should be reviewed. Although the existing inventories are unlikely to be sufficiently detailed for identifying the POPs, they may give information on the scale and location of waste sites (UNEP, 2019a).

If the pesticide is still in use, there might be production or import and even export, on which the national customs may have information. Further information should be sought by contacting the manufacturers, traders and marketers as appropriate (UNEP, 2019a).

Industrial chemical inventories

In the case of an industrial chemical, the inventory team can screen the available literature and information from national statistic institutions, published literature in scientific journals, technical reports or notes from industry and industry associations, commissioned research reports, and internet searches. An initial assessment should include national standards and regulations related to the chemicals in various applications. This could include, e.g. assessment of flammability standards for different applications in textiles such as transport seating, upholstery, carpets, curtains (UNEP, 2019a).

In the second step, the inventory team should contact the major stakeholders (larger companies, industry associations) to obtain initial information on whether the POP was or is used in the country. Special attention should be paid to those sectors where use may continue according to the Stockholm Convention provisions. The ministry of environment and the ministry in charge of industry, as well as the Stockholm Convention Regional Centres may have relevant information (UNEP, 2019a).

Information on the import of the chemical might be available from customs service, or industries using the chemical or their related industry associations. Information on both current and historic import and export should be sought. When contacting the stakeholders for the information, also information on the related uses should be asked (UNEP, 2019a).

Making rough estimations of the quantities used in any of the applications, e.g. the total volume of materials in a sector (e.g. vehicles), or a specific application (e.g. furniture upholstery) could be helpful to prioritize actions. Further information could be collected in Tier II and Tier III for verification (UNEP,2019a).

The HS codes used by the customs are normally not specific enough to address a specific chemical or chemical in products/articles (Korucu et al., 2014). HS codes are likely not applicable for assessing import/export of certain POPs or products/articles containing them. CAS numbers and trade names should be used. For more information, see the Guidance for the Control of the Import and Export of POPs (UNEP, 2017a).

If information on import, manufacture and export of products/articles containing POPs are available, the net consumption can be calculated using the template below (separately for different sectors if preferable) (UNEP, 2019a):

Net consumption of products in [country] = manufacture + import – export

Net consumption of POP in [country] = [manufacture + import – export] of POP containing products or articles x POP content*

* In the absence of other values, please consult Risk Profile, Risk Management Evaluation adopted by the POPs Review Committee and the Basel Convention Technical Guidelines on ESM of waste for information on typical contents used in products/articles.

For further examples, please see POPs specific sections of the module and detailed POP inventory guidance documents.

Statistics on the manufacture of articles may not be detailed. The production statistics may not necessarily follow the same product codes as import and export. It may only cover some of the existing companies in the country. It is also expected that some statistical data on the manufacturing activities is confidential and not available.
Therefore, the calculations based on the statistics must be carefully interpreted (UNEP, 2019a).

Authentic product information received from major companies, interviewed by the inventory team, in each relevant use sector is expected to be of a better quality and need to support the quantitative information from the statistics. Based on these data, the team should assess the relevance of defined scope and whether the right stakeholders have been identified, before proceeding to the next Tier (UNEP, 2019a).

3.2 Tier II: Main inventory

It is likely that many questions will remain open after the initial assessment and the main body of information for the inventory will be achieved in the phase. The next Tier in the inventory focuses on specific sectors of interest identified based on the initial assessment. In Tier II, new and more detailed information is collected from the stakeholders through interviews, surveys and site visits (UNEP, 2019a).

Possible site visits and further studies could focus on the sites of production, use, and disposal of the POP in the country (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Current and former production sites;
(b) Current and former disposal sites (such as pesticide storage facilities);
(c) Users of the POP and products containing the POP;
(d) Waste collection centres and recyclers;
(e) End-of-life vehicles treatment facilities, if relevant;
(f) Storage and disposal locations of materials containing the POP.

Information on the amount of production waste and the historic management and deposition of waste from these productions could be addressed in the inventory (including associated landfills) (UNEP, 2019a).

Pesticide inventories

Pesticide inventories consist of identifying the current production and use, stockpiles and waste like with industrial chemicals. However, as many POPs pesticides have been phased out a long time ago, pesticide inventory could consist of just inventory of pesticide waste in the country. FAO has issued thorough guidance under Programme on the Prevention and Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides. Tier II inventory could be based on available documents at sites of storage. FAO guidance covers all aspects of pesticide management (FAO, 2001; FAO, 2010). However, it should be noted that with regards to the environmentally sound management referred to in Article 6 of the Convention, the technical guidelines by Basel Convention should be adhered to (UNEP, 2017b and the related POP specific technical guidelines).

If the pesticide is in use, information on the flows along the whole life-cycle must be acquired. In case sales data is not available, these data could be collected in Tier II by using targeted questionnaires to or interviews with producers, importers, agricultural advisory bodies, farmers’ associations and NGOs (UNEP, 2019a).

Inventories of industrial chemicals

The inventory team could organise separate teams for different industrial sectors and hire consultants as appropriate. The detailed guidance documents contain examples of questionnaires that could be used for contacting and requesting information from the stakeholders in different sectors that have been identified as relevant nationally in the initial assessment (UNEP, 2019a).

All the data formats including questionnaire survey formats should be carefully streamlined to ensure the consistency of the data collection as much as possible. If data conversions and estimations are done by stakeholders (e.g. for the management of confidential data), the inventory team may need to provide training on calculations on the POP content and how to fill out the questionnaire. This will ensure high data quality and consistency (UNEP, 2019a).

3.3 Tier III: In-depth inventory

In areas where Tier II search for information falls short from the objectives set for the inventory by the inventory team, focused information could be acquired through more resource-demanding techniques, if resources are available. The in-depth inventory could include using analytical methods to gain information e.g. on uses and concentrations of POPs in products/articles on the market to estimate the total amounts of POPs, prioritize actions and to estimate their costs (UNEP, 2019a).

The analytical methods may include measurements using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) screening as well as laboratory analyses (see UNEP, 2017c). It may also involve detailed inspections of sites mentioned in Tier II. For pesticide inventories, in-depth inventory could entail sampling and analysing unidentified pesticides in storages of obsolete stocks (UNEP, 2019a).

Step 4: Managing and evaluating the data

The data need to be assessed for completeness and plausibility, possibly including a comparison with data from other countries in the region. Data gaps may (partly) be filled by extrapolation of available statistical data. If the quality of the data is considered unsatisfactory, additional data collection or screening (Tier III) should be undertaken (UNEP, 2019a).

4.1 Data management

Data collection methodologies applied in the data gathering process as described in Step 2 may vary depending depend on the legal framework, political organization and economic support for environmental management. Nevertheless, the management of the collected data should be consistent and transparent. During the data processing, all the assumptions and conversion factors adopted as a result of expert judgment, where needed, should be noted/recorded and referenced when the results are presented (UNEP, 2019a).

4.2 Evaluation of the inventory

Some challenges may still exist at the end of the inventory including a lack of detailed information on certain activities and applications. An evaluation of the process, strategy used and information collected can take place along with a decision on what further actions are needed to make the inventory more complete (UNEP, 2019a).
The evaluation includes identification of the following (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Gaps and limitations;
(b) Need for validation of the information compiled in the inventory;
(c) Actions needed to meet the requirements of the Stockholm Convention.

Important elements in this evaluation step are to identify any gaps and limitations, and the measures needed to make the inventory more complete. Other ways to involve the stakeholders and other data collection strategies (see Steps 2-4) could then be considered. A gap analysis in the evaluation of the initial assessment or preliminary inventory could result in the need to contact some of the stakeholders again to get more information or identify other stakeholders to be contacted to help fill the gaps (UNEP, 2019a).

For inventory sectors with limited information, information campaigns and stakeholder meetings or workshops may be necessary. In some cases, government regulations may be required to ensure that stakeholders report their holdings and cooperate with the national authorities and engage in the national inventory. To be noted that drafting a regulation and making it come into force can sometimes require (UNEP, 2019a).
Gaps, limitations and necessary actions to complete the inventory will also be valuable information for the NIP, especially for developing countries with need of financial support for their inventory. It is important for developing countries to identify whether and what kind of technical and financial support will be necessary to complete the inventory. Even if the inventory is very incomplete, the NIP is expected to provide information on gaps and the limitations of a country's resources and capabilities ― information that is useful to identify appropriate technical and financial needs (UNEP, 2019a).

It is also important to consider whether the current situation meets the requirements of the Convention, including the potential actions proposed in the NIP especially with regard to the elimination of the POP and compliance with the acceptable purposes or specific exemptions. Information on BAT/BEP measures may also be useful (UNEP, 2019a).

The inventory might also require revision at a later stage when the action plan is updated. This can also be done using the strategies described in this guidance (UNEP, 2019a).

Gap analyses conducted in the evaluation of an inventory could result in the need to contact some of these stakeholders again to get more information or identify other stakeholders to be contacted to help fill in the information and data gaps (UNEP, 2019a).

Step 5: Preparing the inventory report

The final stage of the inventory is preparation of the inventory report. This report includes results of inventories of all key sectors investigated by the country compiled in a single document (UNEP, 2019a).

The essential elements of the report are (UNEP, 2019a):

(a) Objectives and scope;
(b) Description of data methodologies used and how data were gathered, including all the assumptions and conversion factors adopted as a result of expert judgment;
(c) Final results of the inventory for each sector considered a priority for the country (using a format to be provided in this guidance, as such or adapted from that format);
(d) Results of the gap analysis and limitations identified for completion of the inventory;
(e) Further actions (e.g. stakeholder involvement, data collection strategies) to be taken to complete the inventory and recommendations.

Other information (e.g. stakeholder list) could be included in the report depending on the national preferences (UNEP, 2019a).

FAO, 2001. FAO training manual for inventory taking of obsolete pesticides. 110 p.http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/obsolete_pesticides/docs/train_man_e.pdf

FAO, 2010. The Preparation of Inventories of Pesticides and Contaminated Materials. FAO Pesticide Disposal Series 14. 85 p. http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i1724e/i1724e.pdf

Korucu M K, Gedik K, Weber R, Karademir A, Kurt-Karakus P B. 2014. Inventory development for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in Turkey: challenges to control chemicals in articles and products. Environ Sci Pollut Res. DOI 10.1007/s11356-014-3924-2.

UNEP, 2007a. Code of practice for the treatment of confidential information in the POPs Review Committee. Decision SC-3/9. http://chm.pops.int/tabid/345/Default.aspx

UNEP, 2017b. General technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (adopted by COP.13, May 2017). UNEP/CHW.13/6/Add.1/Rev.1. http://www.basel.int/tabid/5875/Default.aspx

UNEP, 2017c. Guidance on Sampling, Screening and Analysis of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Products and Articles. UNEP/POPS/COP.7/16/analysis (revised 2017). http://chm.pops.int/tabid/7730/Default.aspx

UNEP, 2019a. General guidance on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) inventory development. UNEP/POPS/COP.9/INF/19/Add.1. http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/NationalImplementationPlans/Guidance/tabid/7730/Default.aspx

The main objectives of the inventory are to:

·       Review and summarize the information and data on:

o   Production of POPs pesticides listed in Annexes A and B of the Convention;

o   Import and export of POPs pesticides listed in Annexes A and B of the Convention;

o   Use of POPs pesticides listed in Annexes A and B of the Convention;

o   Stockpiles and wastes containing, or thought to contain POPs pesticides listed in Annexes A and B of the Convention;

o   Disposal of the POPs pesticides listed in Annexes A and B of the Convention;

·       Assess the legal and institutional framework for control of the production, use, import, export and environmentally sound management and disposal of the POPs pesticides wastes listed in Annexes A and B of the Convention;

·       Identify gaps in information and data required to complete the POPs pesticides inventory;

·       Identify suitable alternative products, methods and strategies to the POPs pesticides;

·       Determine need of specific exemptions and/or acceptable purposes and register for those POPs pesticides that specific exemptions/acceptable purposes are still allowed;

·       Identify the potential POPs pesticides contaminated sites.

• Ministry in charge of agriculture and/or related agencies;
• Pesticides Registration Boards;
• Pesticides producers/retailers/users;
• National statistics;
• Custom authorities;
• FAO representative;
• Farmer associations;
• Ministry in charge of health (e.g. in case of DDT and Lindane);
• Waste disposal companies

• Information on POPs pesticides production;
• Information on POPs pesticides import/export, including import/export for environmental sound disposal;
• Information on POPs pesticides use;
• Information on POPs pesticides stockpiles and wastes;
• Information on POPs pesticides contaminated sites;
• Information on alternatives.

Please click to see Guidance Module

See at information in section 1 of Part A - Summary of inventory Guidance Documents

FAO, 2010. FAO Pesticide Disposal Series 14: The Preparation of Inventories of Pesticides and Contaminated Materials. Volume 1 Planning. UNFAO-inventory

3.2.1 Uses (UNEP, 2019b)

• Herbicide;
• Insecticide;
• Fungicide;
• Algaecide;
• Disinfectant and as an ingredient in antifouling paint.

3.2.2 Applications (UNEP, 2019b)

• Agricultural seeds;
• Leather;
• Wood preservation;
• Cooling tower water;
• Rope and paper mill system.

3.2.3 Non-timber treatment uses of PCP (UNEP, 2019b)

• Leather treatment - used as a preservative in leather from the 1970s to protect leather goods from fungal damage during the wet processing of these materials.
• Textile treatment - PCP, Na-PCP and PCP-L have been used to treat textiles which are subject to attack by fungi and bacteria during storage and use.
• Agriculture – used to prevent wood decay, as herbicide and desiccant herbicide and desiccant for forage seed crops, as herbicide for non-food vegetation control, a biocide in the post-harvest washing of fruit, and for general weed control, an insecticide for use in beehives, seed plots, and greenhouses, as herbicide in paddy and upland rice fields.
• Na-PCP production - used to produce Na-PCP; Na-PCP has also been used for control of the intermediate snail hosts of schistosomiasis.
• Other application and uses - biocides in packaging materials and glues, preservative in oil-based paints and adhesives, intermediate product in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals as well as colouring substances, included in health-care products and disinfectants for use in the home, farms, and hospitals, included in dental-care products, bactericidal soaps, laundry products, and medical products for the skin.

3.2.4 Products treated with PCP (UNEP, 2019b)

• Most utility poles, during the manufacturing process, are typically marked in accordance with the requirements found in ANSI O5.1 or CSA O15-15.
• The typical information contained on the marking includes a supplier trademark or code, the year of treatment, a code for the plant location, the species of wood, the preservative type and the class and length of the pole.
• Additional information may be included based on a utility's specifications.
• The information is either burn-branded on the pole or embossed on a recessed metal tag affixed to the pole.
• The tag is normally located at 10 feet from the butt on poles shorter than 55 feet, and at 14 feet from the butt on poles 55 feet and longer.
• Given the typical setting depths of poles, this normally places the information in the zone from 2 to 6 feet from the ground on an installed pole.

3.5 End of life products treated with PCP (UNEP, 2019b)

• In general, wood used in a commercial/industrial setting will be treated with one of three product types: PCP, Creosote or chromated copper arsenate (CCA) to prevent degradation and to increase its service life.
• Such wood should be appropriately labelled to allow quick identification of the treatment product. However, if not appropriately labelled the treatment product can be established through suitable sampling and analysis.
• Additionally, where appropriate labelling is absent, and in absence of, or prior to undertaking sampling and analysis, the treatment product used can sometimes be inferred through visual inspection (noting that this is an indicative method and should not be used to replace labelling and/or sampling and analysis):
• CCA – the surface of the wood will often appear to have a slight blue/green tint to it due to oxidation of the copper in the CCA.
• Creosote – This is a tar like substance which often gives the surface of the wood a black/dark brown tar like (often sticky) finish.
• PCP – PCP itself is not noticeable leaving the surface of the wood apparently unchanged to its natural appearance. Thus, if the wood does not appear to show signs of CCA or creosote, it is likely to have been treated with PCP.

The main objectives of the inventory are to (UNEP, 2019b):

·       Review and summarize the information and data on:

o   Production of PCP, its salts and esters;

o   Import and export of PCP, its salts and esters;

o   Use of PCP, its salts and esters;

o   Stockpiles and wastes containing, or thought to contain PCP, its salts and esters;

o   Disposal of the PCP, its salts and esters;

·       Assess the legal and institutional framework for control of the production, use, import, export and environmentally sound management and disposal of the PCP, its salts and esters;

·       Identify gaps in information and data required to complete the PCP, its salts and esters inventory;

·       Identify suitable alternative products, methods and strategies to the PCP, its salts and esters;

·       Determine need of specific exemptions and register for that exemptions are still allowed;

·       Identify the potential PCP, its salts and esters contaminated sites.

• PCP production facilities – these are factories/facilities/chemical plants which have been used, either historically, or currently, to produce PCP. This should also include sites which have been shut down/decommissioned as contamination may still be present.
• PCP storage facilities – these are storage facilities/warehouses etc. which have, either historically, or currently, been used to store PCP based chemicals. This should also include sites which have been shut down/decommissioned as contamination may still be present.
• Industrial wood treatment facilities – these are facilities which have, either historically, or currently, been used to treat wood products. This should also include sites which have been shut down/decommissioned as contamination may still be present.
• Treated timber and wood product storage facilities - these are facilities which have, either historically, or currently, been used to store treated timber and wood products. This should also include sites which have been shut down/decommissioned as contamination may still be present.
• Leather tanning and other leather treatment.
• Textile industries where PCP has been formerly used.
• Agricultural areas where PCP has been applied in the past.

From individual operators

·       Information on annual volume of manufacture or import of PCP;

·       Information on annual volume of PCP used for timber treatment activities;

·       Information on the working concentration of PCP in the timber produced (mg/ft²);

·       Information on PCP contaminated waste produced per annum and how the waste is managed;

·       Information on the use other pesticides for timber treatment as well as PCP;

·       Information on the use of PCP for other applications than timber treatment.

From trade associations/regulators

·       Data on annual production rates for timber treated with PCP (tonnes of timber);

·       Data on annual quantities of imported timber treated with PCP (tonnes of timber);

·       Data on the replacement rates for timber used in infrastructure networks;

·       Average life of utility poles / cross-arms within the infrastructure network.

From waste facility operators

• Information on nature of facility processing the waste (recycling, incinerator, landfill, waste handling, other); • Information on type of waste accepted known to be contaminated by PCP (either production wastes or treated end of life timber) and how is treated; • Information on quantity of waste managed.

From regulators

• Details of sites / facilities known to be managing PCP waste;
• Details on enforcement actions brought for environmental release – either at sites of use, or from waste handling locations.

From trade associations/regulating agencies

• Details on former sites of manufacture for PCP;
• Details on former sites conducting timber treatment that may have used PCP in the past;
• Details surrounding the use of PCP for treatment in leather, textiles, paper and pulp or agriculture;
• Details of locations for facilities / former facilities that were known to be using PCP;
• Information of stockpiles of leather, suede or textile goods contaminated with PCP been identified within your nation;
• Data available on quantities and mechanism for final disposal.

Please click to see Guidance Module

See at information in section 1 of Part A - Summary of inventory Guidance Documents

UNEP, 2019b. Guidance on preparing inventories of pentachlorophenol and its salts and ester. UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/20 (revised 2019) -

• Closed applications: transformers, capacitors;
• Open applications: caulks, paints/plaster, anti-corrosion coatings, adhesives, small capacitors, cable sheaths, lubricating fluids, impregnating agents, flame retardants.

The main objectives of the inventory are to:

·       Review and summarize the information and data on:

o   Production;

o   Import and export for environmental sound disposal for PCBs in closed and open applications;

o   Use;

o   Stockpiles and wastes containing, or thought to contain PCBs from closed and open applications;

·       Assess the legal and institutional framework for control of the production, use, import, export and environmentally sound disposal of the PCBs in closed and open applications;

·       Identify gaps in information required to complete the inventory;

·       Identify the potential PCBs contaminated sites.

• Ministry of Energy;
• Ministry for Mining;
• Utility sector;
• National statistics;
• Custom authorities;
• Other industries having transformers and capacitors;
• GEF PCBs elimination projects.

Major PCB holders and industries, as presented in the table below, are to be considered potential contaminated sites (UNEP, 2016).

• Information on former PCBs production;
• Information on former PCBs import/export, including information on import/export of wastes for environmental sound disposal;
• Information on PCBs use in closed applications, including number of equipment in use/out of service, mass of equipment in use/out of service, mass of liquids (oil) of equipment in use/out of service;
• Information on PCB containing wastes stockpiles locally and abroad destroyed;
• Information and data on PCB contaminated sites;

• Information and data on former PCBs production for open applications;
• Information and data on former PCBs import/export in open applications;
• Information and data on former PCBs use in open applications: Caulks / sealants; Paints / plasters; Anti-corrosion coatings; Cable-sheaths; Cable insulation; Lubricating fluids; Adhesives; Flame retardants; Floor finish; Carbonless copy paper; Fluorescent light ballasts and small capacitors (products that may still contain PCBs);
• Information and data on PCB from open applications in wastes.

• PCB from open applications can be released into the environment by weathering and inappropriate removal of PCB containing materials.
• Wastes generated from PCB use in open applications are usually not defined as hazardous waste
• PCB applications can be found throughout industrial facilities and other buildings, it is therefore important to also identify these applications.
• Detection of PCB in open applications is only possible if the (building) material is sampled and analysed in a laboratory.
• The recording of data of buildings, facilities, objects and materials with PCB in open applications after their identification would minimize the risks of inexpert treatment, non-environmentally sound management and disposal and therefore minimize the impact on the environment and the human health.
• Many buildings worldwide, especially those constructed or renovated between the 1950s and the early 1980s, contain PCB in a wide variety of applications which emit PCB into the environment.

PCBs in closed applications

See Guidance Module

PCBs in open applications

See Guidance Module

See at information in section 1 of Part A - Summary of inventory Guidance Documents

UNEP, 2016. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Inventory Guidance. http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/IndustrialPOPs/PCB/Guidance/tabid/665/Default.aspx

UNEP, 2019c. Consolidated Guidance on PCB in Open Applications. http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/IndustrialPOPs/PCB/Guidance/tabid/665/Default.aspx

The main objectives of the inventory are to (UNEP, 2017d; UNEP, 2019d):

·       Review and summarize the information and data on:

o   Production of POP-PBDEs and related articles/products;

o   Import and export of POP-PBDEs and related articles/products;

o   Use of POP-PBDEs and related articles/products;

o   Stockpiles and wastes containing, or thought to contain POP-PBDEs;

o   Disposal of the POP-PBDEs;

·       Assess the legal and institutional framework for control of the production, use, import, export and environmentally sound management and disposal of the POP-PBDEs;

·       Identify gaps in information and data required to complete the POP-PBDEs inventory;

·       Identify suitable alternative products, methods and strategies to the POP-PBDEs;

·       Determine need of specific exemptions and register for that exemptions are still allowed;

·       Identify the potential POP-PBDEs contaminated sites.

The main objectives of the inventory are to (UNEP, 2019e):

·       Review and summarize the information and data on:

o   Production of HBCD and related articles/products;

o   Import and export of HBCD and related articles/products;

o   Use of HBCD and related articles/products;

o   Stockpiles and wastes containing, or thought to contain HBCD;

o   Disposal of the HBCD;

·       Assess the legal and institutional framework for control of the production, use, import, export and environmentally sound management and disposal of the HBCD;

·       Identify gaps in information and data required to complete the HBCD inventory;

·       Identify suitable alternative products, methods and strategies to the HBCD;

·       Determine need of specific exemptions and register for that exemptions are still allowed;

·       Identify the potential HBCD contaminated sites.

Source: UNEP, 2019e. Guidance on preparing inventories of hexabromobyclododecane (HBCD). UNEP/POPS/COP.7/16/HBCD (revised 2019)

Click to see Guidance Module

See at information in section 1 of Part A - Summary of inventory Guidance Documents

Desborough JL, 2011. Exploring the utility of chiral signatures to further understanding of soil-to-herbage transfer of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). PhD thesis, University of Birmingham UK.

ECHA (European Chemicals Agency). 2009. Data on Manufacture, Import, Export Uses and Releases of HBCDD as well as Information on Potential Alternatives to Its Use. December 1, 2009. http://echa.europa.eu/doc/consultations/recommendations/tech_reports/tech_rep_hbcdd.pdf.

Harrad S, Desborough J1, and Abdallah M A-E. 2010a. An overview of contamination of the UK environment with HBCD and its degradation products. Organohalogen Compounds 72, 193-196.

Kajiwara N, Sueoka M, Ohiwa T, Takigami H. 2009. Determination of flame-retardant hexabromocyclododecane diastereomers in textiles. Chemosphere 74, 1485-1489.

Mark FE, Vehlow J, Dresch H, Dima B, Grüttner W, Horn J. 2015. Destruction of the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane in a full-scale municipal solid waste incinerator. Waste Management & Research 33, 165– 174.

UNEP. 2011. Hexabromocyclododecane Risk Management Evaluation. UNEP/POPS/POPRC.7/19/Add.1.

UNEP. 2019e. Guidance on preparing inventories of hexabromobyclododecane (HBCD). UNEP/POPS/COP.7/16/HBCD (revised 2019). http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/NationalImplementationPlans/Guidance/tabid/7730/Default.aspx

Weber R, Kuch B. 2003. Relevance of BFRs and thermal conditions on the formation pathways of brominated and brominated-chlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans. Environment International 29, 699-710.

The main objectives of the inventory are to (UNEP, 2019f):

·       Review and summarize the information and data on:

o   Production of HCBD;

o   Import and export of HCBD;

o   Use of HCBD;

o   Stockpiles and wastes containing, or thought to contain HCBD;

o   Disposal of the HCBD;

·       Assess the legal and institutional framework for control of the production, use, import, export and environmentally sound management and disposal of the HCBD;

·       Identify gaps in information and data required to complete the HCBD inventory;

·       Identify the potential HCBD contaminated sites.

Source: UNEP, 2019f. Guidance on preparing inventories of hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD). UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/18 (revised 2019)

•       Information on HCBD separation from the production of organochlorine solvents or related chemicals and marketed as product.

Processes with a high generation of HCBD where HCBD recovery might take place

Source: BUA, 1991; UNEP, 2013

BUA, 1991. Hexachlorobutadiene. BUA Report 62. German Chemical Society, S. Hirzel Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart.

Dow Chemicals (1990) Waste Analysis Sheet: Heavy Ends from the distillation of Ethylene Dichlorine in Ethylene Dichloride Production. Plaquemine, LA, February 21.

Environment Canada (2000) Priority Substance List Assessment Report, Hexachlorobutadiene. Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999, Minister of Public Works and Government Services. http://www.hcsc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/contaminants/psl2-lsp2/hexachlorobutadiene/index-eng.php

ESWI, 2011. Study on waste related issues of newly listed POPs and candidate POPs, Report for the European Commission, DG Environment, Final Report, 13 April 2011.

Mumma CE, Lawless EW (1975) Survey of Industrial Processing Data: Task I - Hexachlorobenzene and Hexachlorobutadiene Pollution from Chlorocarbon Processing. Midwest Research Institute prepared for US Environmental Protection Agency. June 1975. Available online at National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP).

UNEP, 2013. Risk management evaluation on hexachlorobutadiene. Addendum Report of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the work of its ninth meeting. UNEP/POPS/POPRC.9/13/Add.2.

UNEP. 2019f. Guidance on preparing inventories of hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD). UNEP/POPS/COP.8/INF/18 (revised 2019).

http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/NationalImplementationPlans/Guidance/tabid/7730/Default.aspx

U.S. EPA. 1980. Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Hexachlorobutadiene. US Environmental Protection Agency, Criteria and Standards Division, Washington, DC, US. EPA 44/5-80-053; PB-81-117640.

VROM (2002) Hexachlorobutadiene, dossier prepared for Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning and the Environment (VROM) in the framework of the UNECE Ad-hoc Expert Group on POPs, edited by Ministry of VROM/DGM (February 2002), Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Source: Stockholm Convention website