HELCOM RECOMMENDATION 3/2 

adopted 17 February 1982, having regard to Article 13, Paragraph b) of the Helsinki Convention 

RECOMMENDATION REGARDING THE ELIMINATION OF DISCHARGES OF DDT 

THE COMMISSION,

RECALLING Article 5 of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, 1974, (Helsinki Convention), in which the Contracting Parties undertake to counteract the introduction of hazardous substances into the Baltic Sea Area,

RECALLING ALSO that Annex I of the Helsinki Convention defines 1, 1, 1-trichloro-2,

2-bis(chlorphenyl)-ethane (DDT) and its derivatives - DDD and DDE - as hazardous substances under Article 5 of the Convention,

NOTING that DDT and its derivatives in spite of the concerted action of the Contracting Parties still enter the marine environment of the Baltic Sea Area, however, in decreasing amounts,

BEING MINDFUL of accelerating a total stop for the introduction of DDT and its derivatives into the Baltic Sea Area,

RECOMMENDS the Governments of the Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention that:

a)         the use and production of DDT and its derivatives should be abandoned whether in pure state or in compositions:

b)         DDT and its derivatives should not be marketed in the Baltic Sea States;

c)         transportation and storage of DDT and its derivatives should be effected with due caution to prevent their accidental introduction into the environment of the Baltic Sea Area; and

d)         monitoring of the DDT contents in bottom sediments and marine organisms should be considered under the Baltic Monitoring Programme,

RECOMMENDS FURTHER that the restrictions mentioned under a) - d) above should not be imposed on a limited production and the usage of DDT and its derivatives for special purposes such as research and medical application, indoor treatment of young conifers for control of weevil, and treatment of insects in furniture and woodwork, provided that due caution is taken to prevent their introduction into the environment.