DG Environment is organising a stakeholder consultation on Mercury in Brussels on 31 March 2004 as preparation for the development of an EU Strategy on Mercury.
A consultation paper prepared by DG Environment presents an analysis of the situation relating to the use, control, emissions and impacts of mercury and its compounds. The chlor-alkali industry is the largest present user of mercury in the EU. However, for a variety of reasons, the use of mercury in this industry sector is being phased out as “mercury cell” technology is replaced with mercury-free processes.
The Commission is creating a special strategy just for mercury
Because of the levels of exposure and ongoing health and environmental concerns.
Because of the particular nature of the hazard. Mercury in the form of methylmercury has the capacity to collect in organisms (bioaccumulate) and to concentrate up food chains (biomagnify).
Because of the effect of mercury releases/inventories on our food supply.
Because of the conversion of the chlor-alkali industry will create a large amount of surplus mercury in the near
future.
Because of the broad range of products that use, and activities that emit, mercury.
Because of UN developments concerning mercury.
Because of the potential effects of EU mercury consumers and processes on third countries, particulary developing countries.
Comments should be returned no later than 11 May 2004 and responses can be submitted by email.
The 7th International Conference on Mercury as global Pollutant will be organized from 27 June to 2 July 2004, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
