Draft Third Update of Ireland's National Implementation Plan on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Public Consultation on the draft Third Update of Ireland's National Implementation Plan on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Summary: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are a group of hazardous chemicals that persist in the environment, can bioaccumulate in the food chain, and can be toxic to human health and the environment.  Examples of POPs include some older pesticides such as DDT, flame retardants found in older furniture, specific types of industrial chemicals, some of which were used in firefighting foam, and pollutants released from illegal burning of waste.  The UN Stockholm Convention on POPs is a global treaty which aims to protect human health and the environment from POPs.  Ireland became a Party to this Convention in 2010 and is required to develop a National Implementation Plan (NIP) on POPs and update it as necessary. The EPA is preparing the Third Update of Ireland’s National Implementation Plan on POPs. The draft updated plan outlines where POPs are found in Ireland; research and monitoring across air, water, food and waste; and actions to reduce and eliminate POPs. 

Published: 2025

ISBN: ISBN 978-1-80009-299-0 December / 2025 / Website

Pages: 75

Filesize: 3,560 KB

Format: pdf

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The EPA is seeking input from interested parties through a public consultation. Written submissions or observations can be made by email to pops@epa.ie using the response form provided.  

The closing date for submissions is 17:00 on Thursday 12th February 2026. 

It should be noted that in the interests of transparency, all written submissions received may be made publicly available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website. Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged but it will not be possible to issue individual responses.