The EU has welcomed key decisions made at the recent Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, marking a global step forward in safeguarding health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and waste.

Under the Stockholm Convention, the international community agreed on new measures to eliminate persistent organic pollutants – often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their resistance to breakdown in nature. These advancements reinforce the EU’s commitment to chemical safety and pollution prevention.

The Basel Convention saw critical progress on addressing textile waste, a growing environmental concern, aligning with the EU’s push for a circular economy and sustainable global value chains. Meanwhile, the Rotterdam Convention added two highly hazardous pesticides – carbosulfan and fenthion – to its list, enabling tighter global controls on their trade.

The Commission also welcomed strong backing for a new intergovernmental science-policy panel on chemicals and waste, which will support evidence-based policy worldwide. Together, these outcomes reflect growing international resolve to tackle chemical pollution and support the EU’s leadership in driving global environmental governance.