Legal framework related to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) management in China

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have become serious environmental problems of global concern, and actions for reducing and controlling those compounds have been proposed or taken in many countries. This paper examines the historical background of POPs production and contamination in China and the related legal framework that has evolved as part of the development process for effective POPs management. China is still lacking effective and imperative measures for POPs management, especially for those not used as pesticides. However, as a major signatory, China has paid much attention to POPs control and initiated a series of activities to control POPs. The Convention has been taken into force in November 2004 in China and substantial work has been done in terms of international cooperation on POPs control and reduction. Some strategies for the reasonable and effective management of POPs are presented based on the available information on their production, contamination, and management in China.