POPs and PIC Implementation Act of 2002
Key claim: The POPs and PIC Implementation Act of 2002 would amend TSCA and FIFRA to prohibit the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, and disposal of twelve persistent organic pollutant chemicals (including DDT, PCBs, and chlordane) in accordance with the Stockholm Convention and LRTAP Protocol obligations.
Abstract
(S2507 · 107th Congress) POPs and PIC Implementation Act of 2002 - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to prohibit (subject to certain exemptions and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs Convention)) the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of a POPs chemical substance or mixture. Defines “POPs chemical substance or mixture” as the following: (1) aldrin; (2) chlordane; (3) DDT; (4) dieldrin; (5) endrin; (6) heptachlor; (7) hexachlorobenzene; (8) mirex; (9) PCBs; and (10) toxaphene. Requires a certification statement to accompany each POPs substance or mixture distributed in commerce. Prohibits (subject to certain exemptions and the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP)) the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, or use of certain LRTAP POPs chemical substances or mixtures. Establishes procedures for information collection by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Requires international cooperative efforts by EPA. Subjects exports of substances or mixtures regulated under this Act to TSCA. Imposes penalties for export and import violations. Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to provide for the regulation of POPs pesticides (the substances listed in Annex A or B to the POPs Convention and with respect to which any applicable provision of the Convention has entered into force under paragraph 4 of Article 22) and LRTAP POPs pesticides, including through registration and exemptions, controls on imports and exports, international cooperative efforts, certification statements, and notice and recording by the Administrator. Latest action (2002-05-14): Committee on Environment and Public Works. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 107-997.
Why this matters
For U.S. agriculture, codifying the Stockholm Convention and LRTAP POPs Protocol via TSCA and FIFRA would lock in longstanding EPA cancellations of legacy pesticides like DDT and chlordane and set disposal obligations for remaining stockpiles. Direct effects on farmers and food prices are expected to be small because these chemicals are already largely off the U.S. market, but statutory codification would constrain any future reintroduction and align domestic pesticide law with international treaty commitments.