Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2019)82 - Submission, on behalf of the EU, of a proposal for the listing of methoxychlor in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants - Main contents
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| dossier | COM(2019)82 - Submission, on behalf of the EU, of a proposal for the listing of methoxychlor in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention on ... |
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| source | COM(2019)82  |
| date | 15-02-2019 |
1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (the Convention), which was approved by Council Decision 2006/507/EC 1 , entered into force on 17 May 2004. The aim of the Convention is to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The Convention provides a framework, based on the precautionary principle, for elimination of production, use, import and export of POPs, their safe handling and disposal and elimination or reduction of releases of certain unintentional POPs.
Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council 2 implements in Union law the commitments set out in the Convention and in the Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution on Persistent Organic Pollutants (the Protocol), approved by Council Decision 259/2004/EC 3 .
Article 8(1) of the Convention stipulates that any Party may submit a proposal to the Secretariat for listing a chemical in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Convention which will then be reviewed by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) following Article 8(3) and i. The proposal shall contain the information specified in Annex D. Based on the recommendation of the POPRC, the Conference of the Parties decides whether to list a substance in Annex A (elimination), Annex B (restriction) and/or Annex C (unintentional production). The procedure for the adoption of amendments to Annexes is governed by Article 22 of the Convention.
Methoxychlor is prohibited to be used as active substance in plant protection products and in biocidal products in the European Union pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council 4 and Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council 5 , respectively. In addition, methoxychlor is not registered in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council 6 and consequently, it is not allowed to be manufactured or placed on the market in the Union in quantities of one tonne or more per year per manufacturer or importer.
According to the available information and data on intrinsic properties of methoxychlor, which were assessed against the Annex D criteria of the Convention, it can be concluded that methoxychlor is persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic. In addition, methoxychlor is also subject to long range environmental transport and has been found in remote areas such as the Arctic. Given that information regarding the PBT and LRT properties of methoxychlor, it is proposed that methoxychlor meets the criteria of Annex D to the Convention and therefore should be considered as a POP. The details of the assessment are available in the scientific dossier that will accompany the proposal for listing methoxychlor in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention.
Although methoxychlor was prohibited to be used as an active substance in plant protection products and biocidal products in the Union some years ago and there are no other known uses, it cannot be excluded that methoxychlor is still produced, used or emitted in other countries. Due to the potential for long-range environmental transport of this chemical, the measures taken nationally or at the Union level are not sufficient to safeguard the high level of protection of the environment and human health and wider international action is necessary.
With a view to the next POPRC meeting in September 2019, it is appropriate that the Commission submit on behalf of the Union a proposal for the listing of methoxychlor in Annex A to the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention. That proposal will be reviewed in accordance with the criteria and procedures under the Convention before a decision on the listing will be taken by the Conference of the Parties.
• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area
The proposal is coherent with and complements the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 850/2004, which implements the Stockholm Convention in the Union. It is fully in line with the objective to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants.
• Consistency with other Union policies
The proposal is coherent with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 since both provide for criteria not allowing the placing on the market and use of substances that are PBT and of substances that are classified as POP. A Common Understanding Paper 7 examines the relationship between the Stockholm Convention, Regulation (EC) 850/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, with regards to restrictions and authorisation requirements, to ensure coherency.
2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY
• Legal basis
The procedural legal basis for the proposed Council Decision is Article 218(9) TFEU, which is the appropriate basis for an act defining the position of the European Union in relation to an international agreement, in this case the Stockholm Convention.
The substantive legal basis is Article 192 of the TFEU, paragraph 1, given that the measures agreed under the Stockholm Convention predominantly pursue an environmental objective (i.e. the elimination of persistent organic pollutants).
• Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)
Persistent organic pollutants are of global concern and the Stockholm Convention is implemented in the Union by Regulation (EC) No 850/2004. Since the Union is a Party to the Convention, it is appropriate that the nomination of a new chemical is done by the Union.
• Proportionality
Persistent organic pollutants are of global concern and the Stockholm Convention aims at eliminating the production and use of those chemicals. Therefore, it is proportionate to propose that chemical to the Convention to ensure that appropriate action is taken at global level.
3. RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
• Stakeholder consultations
The proposal was discussed with the Member States an/d other stakeholders in several meetings of the Competent Authorities for Regulation (EC) 850/2004 and in addition in a meeting and in a written procedure of the PBT expert group of the European Chemicals Agency and the comments received were addressed.
• Impact assessment
An impact assessment was not carried out. The nomination of the chemical to the Convention will not have any impact because it does not appear to be used in the EU. In the event that the POPRC concludes that the chemical is a persistent organic pollutant, an assessment of the impact of potential management measures will be done by the POPRC taking into account socio-economic information.
• Regulatory fitness and simplification
The proposal has no impact on commercial activity since the chemical is not in commercial use in the Union and, therefore, does not exempt micro-enterprises and does not include special rules for SMEs. The proposal does not have any impact on sectorial EU competitiveness or on trade since it is not traded between the Union and third countries.
4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS
The proposal has no budgetary implications.
5. OTHER ELEMENTS
• Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements
An implementation plan, monitoring, evaluation and reporting are not deemed necessary.
• Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal
The proposal gives the Commission the mandate to nominate methoxychlor to the Stockholm Convention on behalf of the European Union.