Non-government organisations including environment and public health groups, union associations and indigenous organisations can attend and participate in the international discussions,  negotiations and implementations of the international chemical agreements.

International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN)

The International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) is a global network of over 700 public interest non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from more than 100 countries united in support of the common goal of a “toxics free future.” Established in 1998, at the first international negotiating committee (INC) of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), IPEN is represented in all regions of the globe and focuses on addressing chemicals-related issues as they impact on developing countries and countries with economies in transition. IPEN facilitates the engagement of public interest NGOs in national, regional and international efforts to eliminate POPs and other persistent toxic substances (PTS). IPEN provides a bridge to help ensure that international policy discussions are relevant to the concerns of local and national NGOs and their communities and that the issues highlighted by developing country NGOs are given a voice at international chemical forums.

NGOs within IPEN, known as Participating Organisations (POs), focus on chemical issues relating to human health and/or environmental sustainability. Many have expertise in fields as diverse as public health, toxicology, agriculture, waste management, legislation, clean production, consumer issues, and workers’ rights. POs have the ability to translate international and national chemical policy into concrete action on the ground and when given the opportunity, to contribute constructively to the international policy development. Our goal is a toxic free future where hazardous chemicals no longer contaminate our food, our communities and our children

National Toxics Network (NTN)

National Toxics Network (NTN) is a participating organisation and the Australian Focal Point for IPEN in Australasia and the Pacific. NTN participates actively in the technical advisory groups associated with the chemical conventions, such as the POPs Review Committee