Considerations on 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

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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 ...
document COM(2019)82 EN
date March 18, 2019
 
table>(1)On 14 October 2004 the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (‘the Convention’) was concluded by the European Community by means of Council Decision 2006/507/EC (1).
(2)As a Party to the Convention, the Union may submit proposals for the amendment of the Annexes to the Convention. Annex A to the Convention lists chemicals to be eliminated, Annex B lists chemicals to be restricted and Annex C lists chemicals the releases of which from unintentional production are to be reduced or eliminated.

(3)According to available scientific information and review reports, and taking due account of the screening criteria set out in Annex D to the Convention, methoxychlor exhibits characteristics of a persistent organic pollutant.

(4)Methoxychlor is not approved as an active substance pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) and is therefore not allowed to be placed on the market or used in the Union in plant protection products. Methoxychlor is also not approved as an active substance pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and is therefore not allowed to be placed on the market or used in the Union in biocidal products. Moreover, methoxychlor is not registered in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) and, consequently, it is not allowed to be manufactured or placed on the market in the Union in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year per manufacturer or importer.

(5)Although methoxychlor was phased out in the Union many years ago, it may still be used as a pesticide and dispersed in the environment outside the Union, which may be the reason why it is detected in the environment. Due to the potential for long-range environmental transport of methoxychlor, the measures taken nationally or at Union level are not sufficient to safeguard a high level of protection of the environment and human health, and wider international action is necessary.

(6)The Union should therefore submit a proposal to the Secretariat of the Convention for the listing of methoxychlor in Annex A to the Convention,