Review of options and benefit-cost analysis for reducing releases of polybrominated diphenyl ethers to the environment

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (the department) is the lead Australian agency responsible for implementing 's legal obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). This Convention commits Governments to reducing, and where feasible, eliminating, the production and environmental releases of listed POPs.

In May 2009, the convention's Conference of Parties agreed to add nine new POPs to the convention's annexes. must now determine whether to ratify this amendment, which would impose an obligation on the Australian government to manage these chemicals according to the convention's conditions. The ratification / treaty making process requires preparation of a regulatory impact statement and completion of a National Interest Analysis to be tabled before the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.

Two of the newly listed chemicals, pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) and octabromodiphenyl ether (octaBDE) are present in a wide range of consumer articles, such as televisions, computers, foam used in mattresses, car seats, carpet underlay, etc. This may have implications for in relation to the management of these articles, particularly when they become waste.

This consultancy involves a review and refinement/further development of options, already developed by the department, for managing the import of pentaBDE and octaBDE (the relevant PBDEs) as neat chemicals, and for managing articles containing the relevant PBDEs in Australia. The consultancy will also provide a thorough impact analysis and benefit-cost analysis of those options.

This work will contribute to the department's objective of meeting 's obligations under the Stockholm Convention, by informing the domestic treaty making process for ratification of the addition of pentaBDE and octaBDE to the Stockholm Convention.