Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants

The Protocol seeks "to control, reduce or eliminate discharge, emissions and losses of persistent organic pollutants" in Europe, some former Soviet Union countries, and the United States, in order to reduce their transboundary fluxes so as to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects.

[1] Authors and promoters of the Protocol were the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which at the time housed 53 different country members and alliance.

In the United States, the protocol is an executive agreement that does not require Senate approval.

[2] The document focuses on a list of 16 substances that have been singled out according to agreed risk criteria[3] (comprising eleven pesticides, two industrial chemicals and three by-products/contaminants).

The Protocol assigned the arrangements for proper disposal of waste products deemed banned and limited, including medical supplies.