1.The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

To prevent hazards posed by persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the United Nations (UN) established the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (referred to as the Stockholm Convention, or the Convention). The Convention mandates the prohibition or restriction of the use of the POPs listed in its inventory. Although Taiwan is not a party to the Convention, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor and Ocean Affairs Council were invited to collaboratively develop "The National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants" (referred to as the NIP or the Plan) in order to take proactive control measures. The initial version of the plan was approved by the Executive Yuan on July 3, 2008. Acting as the coordinating agency, subsequent revisions have been made to align with the resolutions added to the Convention and the restructuring of national organizations, thus driving forward related efforts.

2.The Minamata Convention on Mercury

The Minamata Convention prohibits the manufacturing, import, and export of mercury-containing products. They are: specific batteries; switches and relays; compact fluorescent lamps; linear fluorescent lamps for general lighting; high-pressure mercury lamps for general lighting; fluorescent lamps with electronic displays; cosmetics; pesticides/biopesticides/local antibacterial agents; and non-electronic measuring devices etc.. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Finance, Ocean Affairs Council and National Science and Technology Council have been invited to establish a task force to promote cross-departmental collaboration. Through these efforts to regulate mercury-containing products, and ongoing public education and communication initiatives are being carried out.

3.The Rotterdam Convention

To protect human health and global environmental safety, strengthen the exchange of information on chemicals in international trade, enhance the safe use of chemicals and pesticides by countries, and promote the sound management of chemicals and pesticides, the United Nations adopted on 10 September 1998 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam Convention). It is commonly referred to as the “Rotterdam Convention” or the “PIC Convention” and entered into force on 24 February 2004. Although Taiwan is not a Party to the Rotterdam Convention, in consideration of the overall soundness of national chemicals management, relevant authorities have continuously collected and compiled information on the management measures for substances listed in Annex III of the Convention. This information serves as a reference for strengthening the management of hazardous chemicals and pesticides at the national level.