Testing of Articles for Persistent Organic Pollutants

The Australian Government, as represented by DSEWPaC, is a Party to the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).Parties to the Convention agreed in May 2009 to add nine new chemicals to the Convention's Annexes, including two brominated flame retardants [tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether as contained in commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether (c-pentaBDE) and hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether as contained in commercial octabromodiphenyl ether (c-octaBDE)] and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonylfluoride (collectively covered by the term PFOS).

The possible presence of these chemicals in articles currently being imported into Australia may have implications for how Australia can meet the requirements of the Convention, should it proceed with ratification.The Department requires the provision of a research project involving the targeted testing and analysis of articles such as electronic articles, textiles and furnishings that may contain these chemicals. This project is expected to produce results that will help develop and inform decisions on management options for the chemicals.