In a bid to fortify the analytical infrastructure and bolster environmental monitoring capabilities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has unfurled a public call. With a focus on the Republic of Srpska, this call beckons public laboratories to partake in a transformative initiative aimed at sampling, analyzing, and monitoring Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) substances in water, air, soil, and waste.
Setting the Stage
The primary aspiration of this undertaking is to mitigate risks to both human health and the environment. It operates on the principles of preventing the inadvertent release of Unintentionally Released POPs (U-POPs), transitioning industries to POPs-free chemicals, and environmentally sound disposal of at least 50 tons of waste laden with POPs.
Navigating the Call's Essence
At the heart of this public call is the collection of laboratory applications for a training program devised to bolster the capacity of laboratories for the monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) within the environment and at their sources of origin. This initiative, encompassed under the second component of the Project "Environmentally Acceptable Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Industrial and Waste Management Sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina," comprises:
- Training Modules: These encompass educating laboratory staff on the art of POPs sampling in the environment, the nuances of sampling Unintentionally Released POPs (U-POPs) in the air, and mastering the skill of sampling U-POPs at industrial chimneys (think power plants and incinerators).
- Analytical Prowess: Laboratory personnel will be trained in the analysis of POP pesticides, PCDD/F, and PCB.
- Sampling and Analysis: A critical component involves collecting and analyzing 50 samples, including soil and chemical stocks for the analytical determination of POP pesticides, air samples for the determination of PCDD/F and PCB, and samples from industrial chimneys or waste disposal facilities for the determination of PCDD/F and PCB.
A Quest for Laboratory Enhancement
The driving purpose behind this comprehensive set of activities is the fortification of laboratory capacities. This endeavor will help determine the need for requisite laboratory equipment and the prerequisites for laboratory testing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This assessment will take into account both legal requirements and the multitude of POPs sources scattered across the region.
Geographical Scope
While this call's canvas extends across the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the applications are limited to laboratories registered and located within this territorial expanse.
Unveiling Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility extends to public laboratories registered in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, possessing the authorization to provide environmental monitoring services related to POPs substances. Applicants are expected to satisfy the following criteria:
- Submission: Complete application packages need to be submitted in electronic format before the stipulated deadline.
- General Criteria: Beyond the fundamental requirements, applicants are anticipated to align with the following eliminatory criteria:
- Legal entity: Applicants must be registered/authorized to provide environmental monitoring services linked to POPs substances.
- Personnel: The laboratory must house at least six qualified employees with expertise in relevant fields and hands-on experience in POPs substance analysis.
- Equipment: The laboratory must possess GC/MSD or HPLC chromatographs and suitable sampling equipment, along with adequate laboratory space for analysis and preparation.
- Market Experience: A minimum of one year of market-oriented experience in POPs matters is mandatory.
A Vision for Equitable Progress
Privately-owned laboratories and those that don't operate within a market-oriented framework are ineligible for this program. UNDP's initiative not only symbolizes a call for proposals but also embodies a vision for equitable progress and sustainable change. It's an invitation to laboratories to be the agents of transformative environmental impact in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For further insights into this call and its pivotal role in reshaping environmental monitoring, visit https://www.undp.org.
Comments