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European Commission acknowledges Chlor-Alkali voluntary agreement on safe mercury storage
Euro Chlor on 22 December 2008 welcomed the official recognition by the European Commission of the voluntary agreement chlorine producers signed to ensure the safe disposal of thousands of tonnes of mercury. It enters info force in 2011 and has been published on January 20th in the EU's Official Journal. Euro Chlor has pledged to ensure safe underground storage of mercury surpluses from the industry once the European mercury export ban takes effect in 2011. Although the new legislation makes safe storage an obligation, Euro Chlor 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. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "We congratulate Euro Chlor for this proactive initiative which will ensure that several thousand tonnes of mercury will be taken out of circulation and safely stored away. This voluntary agreement is an excellent example of how industry can take an active role in helping implement important environmental legislation that will protect the health of European citizens and the environment." In 2007, the newer membrane technology exceeded mercury capacity (45 vs. 38%) for the first time. Commented Alistair Steel: "The fact that the Commission endorses the European Chlor-Alkali industry's commitment is the final acknowledgement of the sector's sustainable handling of mercury which started in 1998 with the voluntary commitment to phase-out the mercury process in Europe no later than 2020". Contact:Alistair J Steel, Executive Director, Tel: +32 2 676 73 50, ast@cefic.be See also: To return to news click here |