Abstract
“Best available techniques (BAT)” and “best environmental practices (BEP)” are used to discuss technology and management systems that minimize unintentional-formation chemicals listed in Annex C of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Considering technological, economical, and regional features for each of the contracting countries of the Stockholm Convention, activities to minimize unintentional-formation chemicals are promoted based on the Guidelines on BAT and Provisional Guidance on BEP. Guidelines also contain definitions of terms, sources of unintentional-formation chemicals, release limitations, factors related to unintentional formation, flue gas treatment techniques, and application of BAT/BEP to each source. Japan has already undertaken several actions, including consolidation of the legal system, application of control techniques, efforts on PCB as a by-product in organic pigment, and so on. Recently, application of BAT/BEP is also discussed for POPs listed in Annex A (elimination) and Annex B (restriction) as chemicals of unintentional formation. This shows how the various issues involving open burning of electronic waste have proliferated as one of the novel sources and by unintentional formation from thermal destruction of new POPs in Annex A.
