China mulls ratification of Stockholm pollution rules

BEIJING - China is considering ratifying two amendments to the Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listing nine new chemicals and endosulfan, an insecticide.

A bill put forward by the State Council suggesting approval of the two amendments has been tabled at the current bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, which runs Monday to Friday.

Zhou Shengxian, minister for environmental protection, explained to lawmakers at the Monday meeting that endorsement of the two amendments would help China's image abroad.

The amendments would also be good for the health of Chinese citizens; improve environmental safety; and accelerate restructuring of industry.

Approving the amendments would not adversely affect the economy or society as some of the chemicals have never been produced or used in China; production of others ceased years ago; some are already banned with certain exemptions; and there are many alternatives to the insecticide endosulfan in China.

The Stockholm convention was passed in May 2001 and requires all signatories to ban production and use of some of the most toxic chemicals.

The convention was amended in 2009 and 2011.