Long range transboundary air pollution: heavy metals. 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention

PURPOSE : To approve the 1998 Protocol to the 1979 Convention on the Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution On Heavy Metals. CONTENT : The Protocol was signed by the Community in 1998 and aims to control emissions of heavy metals caused by anthropogenic activities that are subject to long-range transboundary atmospheric transport and that are likely to have significant adverse effects on human health or the environment. The Protocol stipulates the reduction of total annual emissions into the atmosphere of cadmium, lead and mercury, and the application of product control measures. Several pieces of Community legislation are affected by the Protocol, and most legislation needed to comply with its provisions are already in place. The new directive on waste incineration will fill the remaining gaps. The Proposal for this Directive is expected to be adopted in the summer of 2000. The Protocol may therefore be approved after the adoption of the Proposal.�