Council Decision (EU) 2025/868 of 23 April 2025 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants as regards the requests for extension of specific exemptions and the proposals for amendment of Annex A to that Convention

**Report on Council Decision (EU) 2025/868 Regarding the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants** **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes Council Decision (EU) 2025/868, a policy document outlining the European Union's position at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. This decision focuses on supporting the listing of several chemicals (chlorinated paraffins, chlorpyrifos, and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids) in Annex A of the Convention, with specific exemptions. The EU also supports specific exemption requests from Ethiopia and the Republic of Korea regarding UV328 and certain firefighting foams, respectively. The core purpose is to protect human health and the environment by reducing or eliminating the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) globally, while addressing specific circumstances and needs of certain parties to the convention. Key findings include the EU's commitment to global action on POPs, while acknowledging the need for temporary exemptions for specific applications and national contexts. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide an informative overview of Council Decision (EU) 2025/868 based solely on the information contained within the provided policy text. This analysis will cover the policy's objectives, key provisions, potential impacts, and implementation aspects, focusing on the implications for affected industries and stakeholders. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a new policy outlining the EU's position on amendments to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. * **Core Objective(s):** * To protect human health and the environment from the release of chlorinated paraffins, chlorpyrifos, and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids. * To reduce or eliminate the production and use of these chemicals at a global level. * To support the listing of these chemicals in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention. * To support specific, time-limited exemptions where necessary to allow for a phase-out period and the identification of alternatives. * To support requests for specific exemptions from other parties to the convention (Ethiopia and the Republic of Korea) when justified and compliant with established review processes. **4. Background and Rationale:** This policy addresses the problem of persistent organic pollutants, which pose a risk to human health and the environment. The policy addresses the need to reduce or eliminate the production and use of these chemicals at a global level by listing these substances in Annex A to the Stockholm Convention. The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) identified the need for specific exemptions to allow time for phasing out the use of these chemicals and identifying alternatives. Certain member states also require extended exemptions and timelines in order to identify suitable alternatives. **5. Key Provisions:** The Council Decision outlines the EU's position on several key aspects of the Stockholm Convention: * **Listing of Chlorinated Paraffins:** The EU supports the listing of chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14-17 and chlorination levels at or exceeding 45% chlorine by weight in Annex A, with the specific exemptions recommended by the POPRC. The EU also requests additional specific exemptions for use in certain defense and aerospace applications (coatings, lubricants, ammunition and its packaging) and extended expiry dates for some exemptions for aerospace and defense applications until 2041, with a possible extension until the end of the equipment's life. * **Listing of Chlorpyrifos:** The EU supports the listing of chlorpyrifos in Annex A, with the specific exemptions recommended by the POPRC. * **Listing of Long-Chain Perfluorocarboxylic Acids:** The EU supports the listing of long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and related compounds in Annex A, with the specific exemptions recommended by the POPRC. * **UV328 Exemption for Ethiopia:** The EU supports the proposal from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to amend Annex A to the Convention by adding a specific exemption for certain limited uses of UV328 in civilian and military aircraft, including in relevant spare parts, for a maximum period of five years. * **Firefighting Foam Exemption for Republic of Korea:** The EU supports the request from the Republic of Korea to extend the expiry date of the specific exemptions for the use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride in firefighting foam. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this policy include: * **Industries using chlorinated paraffins:** Particularly those in the defense and aerospace sectors, due to the specific exemption requests and extended timelines. * **Agricultural sector:** Potentially impacted by the listing of chlorpyrifos. * **Manufacturers and users of long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids:** As these substances will be subject to restrictions under the Convention. * **The aviation industry:** Due to the exemptions related to UV328 and the extension of deadlines for substances within the aerospace and defense sectors. * **Authorities in the Republic of Korea:** Specifically, those responsible for managing stockpiles of firefighting foam. * **EU Member States:** As the decisions will be binding on the Union and capable of decisively influencing the content of Union law. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Council of the European Union and the European Commission are responsible for defining and implementing the EU's position at the Conference of the Parties. The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) plays a key role in assessing and recommending specific exemptions. * **Timelines and Procedures:** The policy anticipates decisions being made at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. It includes timelines for specific exemptions, such as a maximum of five years for the UV328 exemption and potential extensions for aerospace and defense applications until 2041, with further possible extensions to the end-of-life of equipment. * **Refinements of Positions:** The policy allows for refinements of the positions in Articles 1, 2, and 3, in light of the developments at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, to be agreed upon by representatives of the Union, in consultation with the Member States, during onthespot coordination meetings without a further decision of the Council. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this policy are: * **Reduced global use of Chlorinated Paraffins, Chlorpyrifos and long chain perfluorocarboxylic acids:** The listing of these substances and subsequent reduction in their usage is expected to significantly contribute to reducing pollution. * **Promotion of alternative substances and technologies:** The timelimited exemptions encourage industries to actively seek and adopt less harmful alternative substances and technologies. * **Harmonized global action on POPs:** The EU's commitment strengthens international cooperation in managing and eliminating POPs, leading to a more effective global response. * **Environmental Safety**: This policy aims to protect the environment from the hazards of POPs. **9. Conclusion:** Council Decision (EU) 2025/868 demonstrates the EU's commitment to the Stockholm Convention and its dedication to protecting human health and the environment from the harmful effects of persistent organic pollutants. By supporting the listing of key chemicals with specific exemptions and accommodating the needs of other parties through targeted support, the EU strives to achieve a balanced approach between global environmental protection and specific industrial and national circumstances. The decision underscores the significance of international cooperation in addressing complex environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices worldwide.

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