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Mercury12/2009 Mercury export ban and storageOn May 21st, 2008, the European Parliament adopted the Regulation banning exports of mercury and mercury compounds from the EU with effect from March 2011. Euro Chlor welcomes the final outcome of the Regulation. When the export ban of mercury enters into force on March 15th, 2011, excess mercury no longer used by the chlor-alkali plants will have to be stored. The Regulation now makes it possible to permanently store liquid mercury in underground salt mines or hard rock formation with same level of safety. This is considered to be the safest solution and it is also in line with Euro Chlor’s voluntary agreement on the safe storage of excess mercury. The mercury will be stored in hermetically sealed steel containers and as there is no humidity in the storage place there is no risk of corrosion. By January 1st, 2010 the Commission will propose storage acceptance criteria for metallic mercury. Euro Chlor has informed the Commission about its willingness to provide its expertise in support of this process. Euro Chlor’s commitment to reporting data to the Commission and Member States’ competent authorities on e.g. best estimates of the amount of mercury still in use and the amount of mercury waste sent to storage facilities has been included in the Regulation. Euro Chlor continues implementing a voluntary agreement on phasing out mercury cell technology. During 2007-08, three mercury-based chlor-alkali plants were replaced with non-mercury technology. European producers however still have about 8,200 tonnes of liquid mercury used by 39 electrolysis plants in 14 countries. These units account today for 34 % of European chlorine capacity. Read all about the safe storage of excess mercury in
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