Brussels, 22/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 December, in a press release, the European Commission welcomed a voluntary agreement to ensure the safe storage of surplus mercury from the European chlor-alkali industry, once a ban on exports of the highly toxic metal from the European Union takes effect. The legislation stipulates that the mercury that is no longer used be stored in a way preventing its release. Euro Chlor, the European association of the chlor-alkali industry, has agreed to ensure safe storage under optimal conditions when the legislation comes into effect.
Adopted in September 2008, the legislation (EC No 1102/2008) bans all exports of mercury from the European Union with effect from March 2011. It calls for mercury that is no longer used in the chlor-alkali industry or that is produced in other major industrial operations to be safely stored. Euro Chlor has pledged to ensure safe underground storage of mercury surpluses from the industry once this ban takes effect. Although the new legislation makes safe storage an obligation, EuroChlor has agreed to go beyond the requirements of the legislation. Surplus mercury will be removed from decommissioned chlorine plants, transported to its final destination in approved sealed steel containers and preferably stored in deep underground salt mines. These mines provide safe final disposal of mercury as there is no humidity or possibility of corrosion. The Commission will develop the specific technical criteria the locations will have to meet, as well as rigorous safety requirements to be observed at the sites. This is the first voluntary commitment from industry to be formally acknowledged by a Commission recommendation since the Commission laid down common rules and principles on environmental agreements in 2002. Voluntary environmental agreements are seen as a complementary regulatory tool which offers industry an opportunity to take a proactive role in helping to solve environmental problems. (O.L./transl.jl)