Page 10 - Policy brief on persistent organic pollutants in Indian environment: A wake-up call for concerted action
P. 10
Policy Brief
Focus more on POPs newly added to the existing list the boundary of substances used but also to define new
of POPs covered by the Stockholm Convention in spaces for the markets of chemical substances within
the monitoring programmes. the overall frame of sustainable development: players
unable to meet the demands from these markets
Catalogue possible ways to phase out and tackle the will be eventually forced to leave them. India, as an
new POPs. industrial and technologically advanced nation in many
fields, cannot afford to be an outsider in this area of
Involve the public (this was one of the key strategies scientific, technological, and policy development. The
in the EU to ensure sustainable use of pesticides). retrospective approach to pollution management needs
to be replaced with that based on risk management,
Adopt green chemistry. with policies formulated in the light of scientific
knowledge, and the large but fragmented network of
Undertake capacity building and see cross-boundary acts, laws, rules, etc. should be replaced with a unique,
collaboration to do so. integrated, and holistic system supported by clear
mandates for a limited number of designated authorities.
Upgrade analytical tools at the national level. The capacity to undertake scientific investigations and
to monitor environmental pollution and its impacts
Establish a separate cell for monitoring and follow-up need to be expanded to fill the gap in this regard
of POPs in the environment. found in the developing countries. Investment to attain
environmental quality that meets international standards
Conclusion with reference to the levels of toxic chemicals has to
be regarded as a national priority for India; combining
India has a comprehensive apparatus of environmental such investment with international cooperation can be a
laws. However, the lack of an integrated approach to the fundamental tool to remove quickly the current defects
regulation of chemicals, poor management of pollution, in risk management and environmental quality.
and the fundamentally retrospective vision have resulted
in ineffective implementation of the laws as demonstrated
by the example of POPs in the environment.
Modern regulations on the management of chemicals,
such as the EU REACH, are developed not only to mark
10 JANUARY 2018
Focus more on POPs newly added to the existing list the boundary of substances used but also to define new
of POPs covered by the Stockholm Convention in spaces for the markets of chemical substances within
the monitoring programmes. the overall frame of sustainable development: players
unable to meet the demands from these markets
Catalogue possible ways to phase out and tackle the will be eventually forced to leave them. India, as an
new POPs. industrial and technologically advanced nation in many
fields, cannot afford to be an outsider in this area of
Involve the public (this was one of the key strategies scientific, technological, and policy development. The
in the EU to ensure sustainable use of pesticides). retrospective approach to pollution management needs
to be replaced with that based on risk management,
Adopt green chemistry. with policies formulated in the light of scientific
knowledge, and the large but fragmented network of
Undertake capacity building and see cross-boundary acts, laws, rules, etc. should be replaced with a unique,
collaboration to do so. integrated, and holistic system supported by clear
mandates for a limited number of designated authorities.
Upgrade analytical tools at the national level. The capacity to undertake scientific investigations and
to monitor environmental pollution and its impacts
Establish a separate cell for monitoring and follow-up need to be expanded to fill the gap in this regard
of POPs in the environment. found in the developing countries. Investment to attain
environmental quality that meets international standards
Conclusion with reference to the levels of toxic chemicals has to
be regarded as a national priority for India; combining
India has a comprehensive apparatus of environmental such investment with international cooperation can be a
laws. However, the lack of an integrated approach to the fundamental tool to remove quickly the current defects
regulation of chemicals, poor management of pollution, in risk management and environmental quality.
and the fundamentally retrospective vision have resulted
in ineffective implementation of the laws as demonstrated
by the example of POPs in the environment.
Modern regulations on the management of chemicals,
such as the EU REACH, are developed not only to mark
10 JANUARY 2018
