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Having decided by decision SC-9/4to amend the acceptable purposes and specific exemptions for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride in Annex B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,
Mindful of decision SC-9/7 on guidelines and guidance on best available techniques and best environmental practices, whereby the Conference of the Parties adopted a workplan that also refers to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride,
1.Reminds Parties that are using insect baits with sulfluramid (CAS No. 4151‑50‑2) as an active ingredient for the control of leaf-cutting ants from Atta spp. and Acromyrmex spp. for agricultural use to register for the acceptable purpose by notifying the Secretariat;
2.Encourages Parties and others to undertake additional research on the development of alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride, including monitoring activities related to sulfluramid, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and other relevant degradation products in the different environmental media (e.g., soil, groundwater, surface water) on application sites;
3.Also encourages Parties and others to use alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride where such alternatives are available, feasible and efficient, while considering that fluorine-based fire-fighting foams could have negative environmental, human health and socioeconomic impacts owing to their persistency and mobility;
4.Decides to undertake, at its eleventh meeting, the evaluation of the continued need for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride for the various specific exemptions and acceptable purposes, in accordance with the process set out in the annex to decision SC-6/4 and the revised schedule set out in the annex to decision SC‑7/5;
(a)To continue to support the process referred to in paragraph 4 of the present decision and to support Parties, subject to the availability of resources, in collecting the information required for the process;
(b)To further promote the exchange of information, including information provided by Parties and others, on alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride and their related chemicals;
(c)To provide support to Parties, in particular developing-country Parties and Parties with economies in transition, subject to the availability of resources, to build their capacity to identify and collect information on perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride; to adopt and strengthen legislation and regulations concerning the management of those chemicals throughout their life cycles; and to introduce safer, effective and affordable alternatives to those chemicals.