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  Channel NewsAsia 25 May 05
Singapore ratifies, accedes to conventions on organic pollutants
 By Yvonne Cheong

SINGAPORE: Singapore has officially become a part of the Stockholm and Rotterdam agreements covering the control of organic pollutants and hazardous waste.

More Singaporeans are turning 'green' to reduce their electricity bills - from fridges, air conditioners to even lights!

And now the authorities may require all household appliances to have green labels. Seven out of 10 household appliances available here are now energy efficient, compared to three out of 10, two years ago.

And it's not just individuals who are making progress. Encouraging its citizens to buy energy-efficient products is one way Singapore is doing its bit for the global environment. Singapore has just joined 98 countries to become a party of the Stockholm convention, which requires it to ban 10 persistent organic pollutants or POPs.

Singapore already meets the ban but now needs to further minimise the emission of dioxins and furans from incineration plants. Dioxins and furans can cause long-term health problems.

As for the control of hazardous chemicals, Singapore has acceded to the Rotterdam Convention.

Environment and Water Resources Minister, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, said: "We see clear benefits in being a party to this convention. If anything, I think this convention will help to reinforce our existing efforts to control hazardous chemicals, its use, production, export and import."

So, there's now a procedure to inform countries which import any of the five hazardous materials which Singapore deals with.
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