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Protecting health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants
Protecting health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants
Protecting health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants
This summary has been archived and will not be updated. See 'Protecting health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants' for an updated information about the subject.
Protecting health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)* pose a considerable risk to human health and the environment. Here, the EU takes action to combat this risk.
ACT
Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on persistent organic pollutants and amending Directive 79/117/EEC.
SUMMARY
WHAT DOES THIS REGULATION DO?
It creates a legal framework to protect human health and the environment by prohibiting, phasing out as soon as possible or restricting the production, placing on the market and use of POPs. It also lays down rules for dealing with stockpiles and waste containing POPs.
KEY POINTS
KEY TERMS
*Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances, such as pesticides or industrial chemicals, which stay in the environment, migrate into the food chain, and threaten human health and the environment.
It is very common for POPs to be transported very far from their source of origin, thus making it a truly global problem.
For more information, see POPs - persistent organic pollutants on the European Commission’s website.
REFERENCES
Act |
Entry into force |
Deadline for transposition in the Member States |
Official Journal |
Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 |
20.5.2004 |
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Successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 have been incorporated into the basic text. This consolidated version is for reference purposes only.
last update 30.06.2015