The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty in response to the the urgent need to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The Convention was adopted with the formal voted approval of delegates from 127 countries on 22 May 2001, at Stockholm in Sweden. The Stockholm Convention would become an international law once fifty countries ratify it.

POPs are toxic, and have the potential to injure human and other organisms even at concentrations as low as parts per billion (ppb). Injuries documented (especially in high predator animal species) include:

	Reproductive failure and population decline;
	Abnormally functioning thyroids and other hormone system dysfunctions;
	Feminization of males and masculinization of females;
	Compromised immune systems;
	behavioral abnormalities;
	Tumors and cancers;
	Gross birth defects.