The European Commission has just published a report the application of Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 on persistent organic pollutants. This report is the fourth Union synthesis report which covers the period from 2013 to 2015.

It should be noted that Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 contains a Commission specific reporting obligation under Article 12(6), which does not exist anymore, as there is no corresponding provision in Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. However, the Commission nonetheless considers appropriate to adopt a report covering the period 2013-2015 based on the Member States reporting in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 since such report serves the objectives of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 as regards the monitoring of the progress made in eliminating the use and releases of POPs.