The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was based on the decision 19/13 C of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on 7 February 1997 to initiate international action to protect human health and the environment through measures which will reduce and/or eliminate emissions and discharges of persistent organic pollutants. The Stockholm Convention starts by immediately targeting 12 particularly toxic Persistent Organic Pollutants for reduction and eventual elimination. More importantly, it sets up a system for tackling additional chemicals identified as unacceptably hazardous. It recognizes that a special effort may sometimes be needed to phase out certain chemicals for certain uses and seeks to ensure that this effort is made. It also channels resources into cleaning up the existing stockpiles and dumps of Persistent Organic Pollutants that litter the world's landscape. Ultimately, the Convention points the way to a future free of dangerous Persistent Organic Pollutants and promises to reshape our economy's reliance on toxic chemicals.

The Convention is not "in force" yet. It has been signed by 151 governments, but each government must now take the next formal step of ratifying. After 50 countries have done so, the Convention will take effect.