International Activities
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) were identified by the international community for international action by means of the Stockholm Convention, which came into force on 17 May 2004. The pesticide DDT, highly toxic Dioxins and Furans as well as PCBs count among the 12 initial POPs. As of today, around 30 toxic chemicals and substances are regulated by the Stockholm Convention.
ETI has been active in the field of POPs Management worldwide since 1982. From the beginning, we have specialised in the environmentally sound management of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).
The Basel Convention, which controls the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal, entered into force in 1992, after a series of negative incidents with hazardous wastes, for example the odyssey of the Seveso wastes.
The Rotterdam Convention regulates the international trade with dangerous chemicals as well as pesticides and insecticides. Due to the prior informed consent procedure, the Convention is also called PIC-Convention.
The Mercury Convention or Minamata Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. It was agreed in Geneva in January 2013.
Our worldwide services include country-specific consultancy, training on the job, capacity building, awareness raising as well as public relation activities.
Emissions of PCBs or POPs into the environment or unintentional contact with harmful substances are often the result of a lack of knowledge or pure ignorance. Therefore, one of the most important tools towards an environmentally sound management of PCBs or POPs in general, is awareness raising among the concerned stakeholders.
Information workshops and training courses, as well as campaigns and documentaries are very effective measures to tackle the problem. Furthermore, it must be considered that a sustainable protection of the environment is not possible without fighting poverty first.
Our consulting services for ministries and councils worldwide focus on the training of local decision-makers and stakeholders. Theoretical knowledge as well as valuable hands-on experience in the environmentally sound management of PCB containing equipment and materials is provided during PCB and POPs workshops.
Our core competences also include PCB inventories, risk assessments, as well as the development of PCB handbooks and fact sheets, interim storage and handling platforms and assistance in environmental sound handling and disposal of PCB containing equipment and waste.
