The Second session of the Stockholm Convention Expert group on Best Available Techniques (BAT) and Best Environmental Practices (BEP) met 8-12 December 2003 in Villarrica, Chile.

The meeting was attended by experts from 24 countries, as well as representatives of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations.
Participants discussed the development of guidelines on best available techniques and provisional guidance on best environmental practices relevant to the provisions of Article 5 and Annex C of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. A contact group met to discuss consideration of alternatives in the application of BAT. Participants also addressed guidelines and guidance for different source categories, such as pulp and paper bleaching, open burning of wastes, thermal processes in the metallurgical industry, smoldering of copper cables, cement kilns firing hazardous waste, waste incineration and chemical production. Toward the close of the meeting, the Expert Group welcomed the offer made by Japan to host its third session, which was tentatively scheduled for 11-16 October 2004. The report of the meeting can be found on the Stockholm Convention’s web site at: http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/bat_bep/2nd_session/report/EGB2_report.htm