This Aragon ERDF 2021-2027 policy instrument includes in a specific line of action related to lindane waste (HCH and other POPs) decontamination, which was also included in the previous ERDF Operational Programme Aragon 2014-20. Nevertheless, the Aragon ERDF 2021-2027 includes a new activity not considered in the previous Programme: the implementation of remediation projects.
The above-mentioned line of action is called "Remediation and restoration of sites polluted by lindane waste in Aragon", and is divided into two different operations:
1. Remediation and restoration of the site of the old factory of INQUINOSA. Actions to be developed are:
- Control of the containment plume
- Dismantling of buildings of the old factory
- Completion of the detailed characterization of the site and design of the remediation strategy
- Isolation and remediation of the site
2. Remediation and restoration of Sardas and Bailin landfills. Actions to be developed are:
- Continuation of hydrogeological monitoring for the plume control, as well as water treatment, to guarantee the quality of water of the river Gallego.
- Construction works for the improvement of the facilities for the management of the pollution
- Development of projects for the remediation of the sites, targeting the different matrixes (soil, sludges, rock, water). This is the aforementioned new activity.
- Development of works for the improvement of the waste isolation

The Policy Instrument serves to mitigate:
- the negative effects of climate change on the landscape water balance
- the negative effects of anthropogenic interventions and their influences on the condition of surface water
It therefore contributes to a sustainable development of the rural areas by promoting a sustainable management of the water resources and the water bodies, favouring their adaptation to the consequences of climate change. In line with this, the policy instrument pays special attention to the implementation of the goals of the European Water Framework Directive, aiming to improve the ecological and chemical status of surface waters as well as to protect groundwater resources by increasing groundwater recharge.

Specifically, measures established by the addressed policy instrument are oriented to achieve:
- A sustainable, environmentally compatible management of water resources
- An improvement of water body structures and water quality
- An increase and use of the storage function of the landscape for water retention

The policy instrument addresses the following needs:
- Protection and improvement of the status of surface water, groundwater bodies, and the soil
- Reduction of water consumption with regard to the soil and landscape water balance, thus making an effective contribution to promoting sustainable development and the efficient management of natural resources such as water and soil in accordance with SO5 of the CAP strategic plan.

PNSE 4 proposes different actions to better understand and reduce the risks linked to chemical substances and physical agents. It is built around 4 axis with priority actions: 1) Learn and inform yourself about environment quality and the right actions for health and ecosystems 2) Reduce environmental exposures affecting human health and ecosystems 3) Increase actions carried out by communities in the territories 4) Better understand exposures and the effect of environment on the health of population and ecosystems.
Our approach in NATUREM project is linked to the axis 2 and to the 10th priority action “Prevent and act in the territories affected by soil pollution”. One of the aims of this action is to reduce brownfields and polluted area and another one is to improve information of population living neat the polluted site.
This policy instrument is also consistent with EU soil strategy for 2030 (Restoring degraded soils and remediating contaminated sites) and with our national methodology for the management of contaminated lands which relies on the management of human health and environmental risks within a land use framework.

The goal of the National Program is the protection of soil resources and their sustainable use, as well as the implementation of good practices to prevent soil damage.
The National Program (2020-2030) is a program document with defined goals, priorities, and measures for the practical application of the state policy for the protection of soil resources at the national, regional, and local level.
Its successful implementation will minimize and, where possible, prevent the harmful impact of degradation processes on soils. It will favour the restoration of damaged and disturbed soils, and their sustainable management, corresponding to European and national regulatory documents.
The program can support central and local authorities oriented towards the preparation of projects financed by national and European funds, the main task of which is the protection and sustainable use of soils.
The main priorities that are set to achieve the general strategic objective are:
- Improvement of administrative capacity, legal tools for implementing environmental legislation, and information security for the purpose of sustainable soil management
- Preventing the occurrence of degradation processes, restoration and conservation of soil functions
- Sustainable management of soils as a natural resource and ecological land use
- Involvement of the public in management processes, sustainable use, and protection of soils

The Waste Management Plan of the Republic of North Macedonia refers to the period from 2021 to 2031 and contains all information such as:
-Description and assessment of the current state of waste management; forecasts of the future state of waste management; guidelines and goals for waste management, including timeschedule; measures, activities and the way to achieve the goals for the special types of waste, the time schedule and the scope of their execution, measures for education and raising public awareness of waste management, financial instruments , etc.
The chapter 19 of the plan is related to the historical industrial landfills ("hot spots"), among them the former OHIS AD complex, where lindane was produced. A risk analysis was made, where the potential risk caused by the historical release of HCH to human health and the environment was evaluated.
Regarding the situation of the Plan development, part of the removal of the hazardous waste and the remediation of the HCH (lindane) polluted soil in AD OHIS - Skopje, started in 2020, in the framework of the project "Removal of the technical and economic barriers to starting remediation of sites contaminated with α-HCH, β-HCH and lindane in OHIS", funded by the Global Environmental Fund (GEF) and cofinanced by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia.

The Stockholm Convention is an international obligation to all Member states regarding regulation of Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) globally, taking into consideration their characteristics, use and the adverse effects to human health and the environment. The aim of the convention is through regulation - a total ban, restricted use, reduction and / or elimination of their production, use, import and export globally to help mitigate the negative impact of POPs chemicals on the environment. Each Party is required to develop a plan for the implementation of its obligations under the Convention.
The purpose of the National Implementation Plan (NIP) for Stockholm Convention is to ensure the implementation of the convention in Finland. NIP identifies gaps in information, establishes measures for the definite elimination of POPs in the environment and set priorities for national action.

The overall objective of water policy is to create the conditions for sustainable management of limited water resources. This means reconciling the requirements of all forms of water use with the requirements of water and aquatic ecosystem protection while taking into account measures to reduce the harmful effects of floods and drought. The guiding principles of River Basin Management Plan for the Upper Moldau River basin are then based on the EU Water Framework Directive, other water directives, and the renewed EU Sustainable Development Strategy.
Sources of pollution from human activities in river basins complicate the achievement of good ecological status of waterbodies, and the design and implementation of pollution removal measures are an important and integral part of the addressed Policy Instrument.

Specific targeted measures of the policy instrument include:
- linking historical contamination and diffuse sources of POP's to poor water quality;
- design and classification of potential measures for POP’s removal;
- prioritisation of measures in terms of cost-effectiveness and efficiency.