The Global Chemicals Monitoring Programme (GCMP) is launched in 2026. In order to generate high quality data and comparable results, the protocols and methods that are used by the various laboratories when sampling and analysing chemicals - such as POPs and mercury - need to be harmonized ensuring that, over time and between regions, the same basic approaches and quality criteria for acceptance of data and assessment of results are applied.
As the GCMP progresses, new information will be added to this page.
Standard Operation Protocols (SOPs)
The following standard operation protocols (SOPs) have been refined to be used by participanting countries and laboratories in the GCMP. Available in English, French and Spanish (to be added soon).
- Passive Sampling of Mercury in Ambient Air Methodology and Procedure
- Passive Sampling of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Ambient Air Methodology and Procedure
- Passive Sampling of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Water Methodology and Procedure
- Sampling of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Human Milk Methodology and Procedure
Courses
The self-paced eCourse - Data Handling and Interpretation for the Monitoring of POPs under the Stockholm Convention is designed to assist Parties of the Stockholm Convention and technicians involved in the POPs monitoring process and in using these environmental monitoring results. The course is offered online in English, non interactive versions in French and Spanish are available for download.
Previous project
Over the two rounds of UNEP/GEF GMP projects, 46 trainings have been organised in the laboratories, attended by 72 countries. Key findings included:
- In 2022, eight new POPs (see interactive timeline of POPs listed) had been added under the Stockholm Convention since 2014 while many countries still do not have the capacity to analyze even the original 12 POPs listed in 2004.
- The trainings brought to light that though some laboratories can analyze certain POPs in some matrices, the lack of regular analysis and sustainable business model limited their capacity. Most of these laboratories will not be able to contribute reliable and satisfactory quality data for initial POPs, to the Efficacity Evaluation of the Stokholm Convention, let alone for new POPs.
- Global capacity gaps exist to fully understand the levels of POPs in the environment and in humans.
- As the ultimate goal is to eliminate POPs rather than monitor them, hierarchical capacity building is essential to 1) ensure continuous generation of high-quality data for the effectiveness evaluation of the Convention, and 2) respond to national demands on source tracing, hotspot monitoring and national decision making.
WHY POPS . GCMP OVERVIEW . DATA GENERATION . CAPACITY BUILDING . INTERLAB . HISTORY . REPORTS
