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DELACOMMISSION
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DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM(81)56
Vol.1981/0015

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COMMISSION OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(81)56 final
Brussels,12February1981
Proposalfora
COUNCILDIRECTIVE
concerningtheLimitvaluesfordischargesofcadmiumintotheaquatic
environment andqualityobjectivesforcadmiumintheaquaticenvironment
(submittedtotheCou mission)
/-VA
V\-\r/\C*- o/v>;\^ .•/
C0MC81)56final

PROPOSAL FORACOUNCIL DIRECTIVE CONCERNING THELIMIT VALUES APPLICABLE
TODISCHARGES OPCAIMIUM INTO THEAQUATIC ENVIRONMENT ANDQUALITY OBJECTIVES
FORCAMIUM INTHE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT
Explanatory memorandum
INTRODUCTION
Inadopting on4May 1976 &Directive onpollution caused bycertain
dangerous substances discharged into theaquatic environment ofthe
Community (76/464/EEC)(l)theCouncil identified aneed toeliminate
pollution caused bythedangerous substances included inList Iofthe
Annex tothat Directive . :,
TheDirective requires thecompetent authorities intheMember States to
setemission standards fordischarges liable tocontain List Isubstances „
Itstated that "TheCouncil ,acting onaproposal from theCommission ,
shall laydown thelimit values which theemission standards must not
exceed forthevarious dangerous substances included inthefamilies and
groups ofsubstances within List I".
TheDirective also provided ,asanexception ,foremission standards for
List Isubstances tobebased onquality objectives .These quality ob- •
jectives areeither tobethose laid down bythe Council ,acting ona
proposal from theCommission ,ormore severe Community quality objectives .
Proposals fordirectives concerning mercury (2)andaldrin ,dieldrin and
endrin (3)have already been made totheCouncil .These substances were
selected byameeting ofnational experts held on14June 1976 .Themeetings
also selected cadmium asoneofthefirst set ofdangerous substances to
bestudied .This present proposal foradirective completes the setwhich
follows from this meeting ofnational experts .
Inpreparing this proposal foradirective theCommission hasbeen advised
byfurther meetings ofnational experts ,byconsultants andindividual
experts ,andbytheEcotoxicology Section oftheCommission 'sScientific
Advisory Committee toexamine thetoxicity andecotoxicity ofchemical
compounds .
THE PURPOSE OPTHE DIRECTIVE
Thepurpose ofthedirective is "toeliminate pollution caused bydischarges
containing cadmium (*), anelement which isobjectionable intheenvironment
byreason ofitstoxicity ,persistence andbioaccumulation .Being achemical
element ,cadmium cannot bedestroyed byanychemical means .Once cadmium has
been introduced into theenvironment itwill almost certainly stay there .
(1)OJNoL129-18.5.1976 -p.23
(2)OJNoC169-6.7.1979 -P.2and6
(3)OJNoC146-12.6.1979 -p.5and9
(*)Directive 76/464/EECrefers tocadmium anditscompounds .Thetoxicity
ofcadmium compounds isrelated totheir content ofcadmium andforthis
reason nodistinction ismada between the various chemical forms inwhich
-cadmium might bepresent .

-2-
Thedirective will apply toall industrial discharges except forthose
from themanufacture ofphosphoric acid from phosphate rock ,forwhich it
isnotpracticable toset limit values .Itwill apply toallthewaters
referred toi*1Directive 76/464/EECexcept forgroundwater ,which is/the
subject ofanother Directive (l).
Direct discharges liable tocontain cadmium will have tomeet emission
standards complying with the limit values set inthedirective .These limit
values aresetprimarily onthebasis ofthetoxicity ,persistence andbio-
accumulation ofcadmium and take account ofbest technical methods .
Asanexception tosetting emission standards inaccordance with the limit
valueB given inthis proposal foradirective ,theemission standards may
beset inrelation toquality objectives .Theproposal for adirective
provides twosets ofquality objectives ,oneforfresh water andtheother
for salt water .These objectives have been set onthebasis ofprotecting
the environment andhuman health .
Thelimit values proposed for 1January 1983 and 1January 1986 arein
accord with thepresent state oftechnology .However ,itisconsidered
likely that improved methods ofremoving cadmium from discharges will be
developed inthefuture .Totake advantage ofthese improvements itis
proposed that emission standards fornewplants must besetinaccordance
with thebest available technical means inaddition torespecting the
other requirements ofthedirective .Inthis way thedirective will become
progressively stricter ,inline with theneed toeliminate pollution caused
bydischarges containing cadmium .
Theproposal foradirective also contains requirements formonitoring and
surveillance anddefines areference method ofanalysis .
Provision ismade fortheMember States totake theappropriate administrative
measures andtocarry outthe necessary monitoring and surveillance toensure
that thedirective isbeing complied with .Provision ismade intheparent
directive fortheCommission toreceive information ontheoperation ofthe
directive ,andtomake reports totheCouncil .
Theproposed directive contains provisions fortheMember States tosupply
information totheCommission andfortheCommission tomake reports to
the Council .
3.COMMENTS ONTHE PROPOSAL
3.1 .General
Cadmium iBnotknown tobenecessary toanyliving organism .Onthe other
hand ,itisknown tobeharmful tomanandtoalarge number ofaquatic
species .Itistherefore desirable tokeep theamounts ofcadmium present
(1)OJL20-26.1.1980 -p.43

intheenvironmenttothelowestpossiblelevels.The.purposeofthis
directiveistocontroldischargesofcadmiumtotheaquaticenvironment
soastoreduceandeliminatepollutionfromthissource.
■
TheparentdirectiveprovidesfortheCounciltosetlimitvaluesfor
emissionstandardsapplicabletodischargesliabletocontainListI
substances.Thisdirectivealsoprovides,asanexception,thatthese
emissionstandardsmaybesetinrelationtoqualityobjectivesestablished
bytheCouncilormoresevereCommunityobjectives.
2<>Limitvaluesforémissionstandards
Hnissionstandardsforcadmiumindischarges mustbesetsoastocomply
withthelimitvaluesgiveninthisdirective.Thelimitvaluesproposed
callforaprogressivereductioninthequantitiesofcadmiumdischarged
totheaquaticenvironment.
Twosetsoflimitvaluesareproposed.Thefirst,whichis,tocomeinto
operationon1January1983,isbaseduponexistinggoodpractice.The
secondsetoflimitvaluesisbaseduponthebesttechnicalmeansat
presentavailable;theselimitsapplyasfrom1January1986.
Theseresultshavebeenderivedfromtheadviceofnationalexpertsand
otherexperts,andfromareport(l)preparedfortheCommissionby
Dr.Rauhut.Inthisreportitwasnotedthattheprecipitation ofcadmium
underalkalineconditionscangivearesidualconcentration of0.05mg/l
orless.However,inthepresenceofammonia,whichreactswithcadmium,
orinsolutionsofrelativelyhighionicstrengththeprecipitation is
lessefficientandresidualconcentrations ofuptoabout0.5mg/l
cadmiumwerefound.Theauthornotedthattheresidualconcentration of
cadmiumtobefoundinanyparticularindustrialdischargewoulddepend
uponnumerousfactors.
Precipitation underalkalineconditionsisnottheonlywayofremoving
cadmiumfromeffluents.Otherprocesses,suchasionexchangeor
precipitation ascadmiumsulphide,canproducelowerresidualconcentrations
ofcadmium.Atpresentsuchprocesseshavenotbeendevelopedtothepoint
wheretheirgeneraluseistechnically andeconomically feasible.However,
theCommissionwillkeepthepositionunderreviewand,ifappropriate ,
willmakefurtherproposals.
Insomecasesthelimitvaluesrelateonlytothemaximumconcentrations
ofcadmiumpermissibleinthedischarge.Inothercasestheyrelateboth
tothemaximumconcentration ofcadmiuminthedischargeandtothe
maximumweightofcadmiumthatmaybedischargedinproportiontothe
amountofcadmiumhandledattheplantinquestion.Wherebothsuch
limitvaluesarespecified,itisforthecompetentauthorityofthe
MemberStateconcernedtoapplythestricterlimitinindividualcases.
(l)A.Rauhut,Methodsandcostsofpreventingcadmiumemissions,
ENV.298/78,PartIV

-4-
Differentlimitvaluesaresetaccordingtotheindustryconcerned.Inthe
casesofzincmining,leadandzincrefining,thenon-ferrous metalindustry
and'otherindustries'thelimitvaluesproposedrelateonlytoconcentration .
Inthefirstthreecasesitisnotpossible,fortechnicalreasons,to
proposelimitvaluesinrelationtothequantityofcadmiumhandled;in
thecaseof'otherindustries'thereisnoreasonablebasisforsettinga
singlelimitvalue.
Thelimitvaluesproposedrelatetotheuseofcadmiumorsubstances
containing cadmium.Inthecasewherethe-'dischargewhichissampledand
analysedcontainscontributions fromprocessesotherthanthoseinvolving
theuseofcadmiumorsubstancescontaining cadmiumthelimitvalueis
reducedtotakeaccountofthisdilution,inaccordancewithArticle5(l)
oftheparentdirective.Inthiswaytheintentionofthedirective,to
reducepollutionoftheaquaticenvironment bycadmium,isupheld;it
willnotbeopentoadischargertocomplywiththelimitvaluemerely
bydilutingacadmium-containing dischargewithothermatter.,
Cadmiumisobjectionable intheenvironment byreasonofitstoxicity,
persistence andbioaccumulation .Application ofthelimitvaluesproposed,
orthequalityobjectivesdescribedsubsequently (Section3«3),should
ensurethattheconcentrations ofcadmiumintheenvironment neverapproach
thetoxicitythreshold.Theharmcausedbycadmium'spersistence andbio-
accumulation isalong-termeffect,andshort-termfluctuations inthe
quantitiesofcadmiumarenotveryimportant.Itisforthisreasonthat
thelimitvaluesrelateeithertoamonthlyloadofcadmiumortoa
flow-weighted monthlyaverageconcentration andthatdailyvaluesofupto
twicethemonthlyvaluescanbeaccepted.
Thelimitvaluesapplyequallytodischargestosewers.Dependingonthe
purification processesusedpartorallofthecadmiuminsewagewillbe
dischargedtowatersspecifiedintheproposal.Anycadmiumnotdischarged
thiswaywillremaininthesewagesludge.Theusualmethodsofdisposing
ofsewagesludgeareputtinginontoland,incineration ordumpingat
sea.Thus,anycadmiumdischargedtosewerswilleitherbedirectlydis­
chargedtothewatersspecifiedinthisproposalo^willbedisposedof
inawaythatmightleadindirectlytopollutionofthesewaters.
Itisnecessarytocontroldischargestosewers.Ifthiswerenotdonethe
provisionsofthedirectivecouldbecircumvented bymakingdischargesto
sewersratherthantocontrolledwaters.Thelimitvaluesproposedfor
dischargestosewersarethesameasthosefordischargestowatersspecified
inthisproposal.Thisisreasonablebecausethesameprocessesforthe
reductionofthecadmiumcontentofeffluentsareapplicabletodischarges
regardlessoftheirdestination .
Article5(2)ofDirective76/464/EECprovidesthat,foreachauthorization ,
thecompetentauthorityoftheMemberStateconcernedmay,ifnecessary,
"imposemorestringentemissionstandardsthanthoseresultingfromthe
application ofthelimitvalueslaiddownbytheCouncilpursuantto
Article6ofthatdirective,takingintoaccountinparticularthetoxicity,
persistence andbioaccumulation ofthesubstancesconcernedintheenviron­
mentintowhichitisdischarged.Thelimitvaluescontainedintheproposal
arethereforemaximumvaluesand,asnecessary,morestringentvaluesmay
beappliedbytheMemberStates.

-5-
.3.Qualityobjectives
CouncilDirective76/464/EECallowsforemissionstandardsforsubstances
withinListItobesetinrelationtoqualityobjectivesratherthan
limitvalues.Thequalityobjectivesaretobelaiddownprincipally
onthebasisoftoxicity,persistence andaccumulation ofthesubstances
inlivingorganisms ;theyare.totakeaccountdifferences betweensalt
waterandfreshwater.
Pollution,asdefinedintheparentdirective,includesinteralia
hazardstohumanhealth.Thedose-effectrelationships forcadmiumhave
beenevaluatedinareportpreparedfortheCommission (l).Thisreport
considersthevarioustoxicological effectsofcadmium.Theacute
lethaloraldoseisestimatedtobebetween0.353«5grams.
However,thelong-termeffectsofchronicexposureareinsidious.
Themostsensitiveorganisthekidney.Cadmiumisaccumulated andwhen
theconcentration reachesavalueoftheorder200-400/ug/gwetweight
signsofdamagebecomeevident. '•
TheWorldHealthOrganization hasproposedaprovisional maximum
tolerableweeklyintakeof400-500/ugperindividual (2).Assuming
aweeklyintakeofwaterof.14litrescontaining5/ug/lcadmium-
themaximumconcentration insurfacewatertobe'abstracted for
drinkingwateraccordingtoCouncilDirective75/440/EEC(3)-the
contributionofcadmiumfromdrinkingwateris70^ug.
However,fishandotheraquaticorganismsspendtheirlivesinwater,
andsoarecontinuously exposedtotheharmfuleffectsofcadmium.
Thenatureoftheseeffects,whichrangefromimpairedgrowthto
death,havebeendescribedby,MrAlabasterinastudypreparedforthe
Commission.(4)»
TheCommissionhasconsideredthestudypreparedforitbyMrAlabaster,
theadviceithasreceivedfromnationalexpertsandfromtheExotoxicity
SectionofitsScientificAdvisoryCommitteetoexaminethetoxicity
andecotoxicityofchemicalcompounds .fandthecommentsmadebynational
expertsandotherexperts.
Theevidence,especiallyinthecaseofsaltwater,isnotascomplete'asmightideallyhavebeendesired.However,qualityobjectivesproposed
areinaccordwiththelatestconclusivescientificdata.•
(1)Criteria(Dose/effectRelationships )forCadmium,Commissionofthe*•
EuropeanCommunities,1978.
(2)WorldHealthOrganization,TechnicalReport505,Evaluationof
certainfoordadditivesandcontaminants ;mercury,leadandcadmium.
(3)OJL194,25.7.1975,P.26
(4)ENV/298/78,PartV

-6-
3.3.1 .Fresh water
Both thereport prepared byMrAlabaster andtheEIFAC report oncadmium
andfresh water fish (l)draw attention totheneed forreliable
field data from polluted andunpolluted rivers toreinforce the
criteria putforward .However ,thefollowing points areclearly
established :
(a)thetoxicity ofcadmium towards fish depends upon thepHand
hardness ofthewater ,andonthepresence ofother poisons .
(b)Theconcentration ofcadmium infresh water notknown tobe
polluted isusually between 0.01and0.5yug /l.
(c)Theconcentration factor forcadmium infish muscle isusually
between 0.1 and 100 times .
(d)Thecriteria proposed byEIFAC asbeing suitable forsalmonid
fish areadequate toprotect other aquatic life .
Thecriteria proposed byEIFAC airetaken asthequality objective
for fresh water .
This proposal does notconflict with Council Directive 78/659/EEC (2)
onthequality ofwater forfish life ,which does notrefer specifically
tocadmium .
Theproposal does not contain anumerical quality objective for
water from which fish aretaken forhuman consumption .This is
because theavailable evidence does notallow universally applicable
values tobeputforward .However ,Member States aretoapply more
stringent quality objectives than those inthedirective where
this isnecessary either fortheprotection ofthehealth of
consumers offresh water fish ortoprotect other legitimate
uses ofthe environment .Inthe case where astretch of
water has more than oneusewhich istobeprotected ,the
quality objective must bestringent enough toprotect all
those uses .
J
(l)EIFAC Technical Paper No30,Food andAgriculture Organization of
theUnited Nations ,Rome ,1977
(2)0JNoL122 ,14.8.1978 -p.1

-7-
Theconcentrations ofcadmiumproposedarewithintherequirements of
CouncilDirective75/440/EEC(l)fwhichrelatestothequalityofsurface
watertobeabstractedfordrinkingwater.Inthisrespectthequality -
objectiveproposedalsoprotectshumanhealth.
3.3.2.Saitwater
Thecadmiumcontentofmostseawatersisoftheorderof0.1/ug/lal­
thoughhighervalues,uptoabout1/ug/l,havebeenreported'forsea
waternotthoughttobepolluted.'Cadmiumconcentrations of1/ug/lare
consideredtohavenoharmfullong-termeffects,andaquality'objective
of1/Ug/lisproposed.Asanexception,'itisproposedthatwherethe
naturalconcentration ofcadmiummakesitimpossibletoachieve'this
qualityobjective,aconcentration of1/ug/lhigherthanthatinan
adjacentareaofunpollutedsaltwaterwillbetakenasthequality
objective.
/ •
Thisqualityobjectivewillprotectallmarinelife,includingshell­
fish.However,itisknownthatshellfisharecapableofconcentrating
relativelylargequantitiesofcadmiumwithintheirflesh.Consumption
ofsuchfish,eventhose-takenfrom"unpolluted"water,mightpresent
athreattohumanhealth.Article3.3.ofCouncilDirective79/923/EEC(2)
statesthatfor"metals",whichincludescadmium,theemissionstandardslaiddownpursuanttoCouncilDirective76/464/EECshallbeappliedat
thesametimeasthequalityobjectives andotherobligationsarising
fromdirective79/923/EEC.
Alabasterreportsthat"Therelationships betweenaqueousconcentration
ofcadmiumandconcentration oftissuesisnotwellestablished ,even
forthecommonediblespecies".Itisthereforeconsideredthatthe
availableevidencedoesnotallowuniversallyapplicablevaluestobe
putforwardforaqualityobjectiveforwaterfrofiwhichediblefish
weretaken®HoweverMemberStatesaretoapplymorestringentquality
objectivesthanthoseinthedirectivewherethisisnecessaryeither
fortheprotectionofthehealthofconsumersofsea-fishortoprotect
otherlegitimateusesoftheenvironment.Inthecasewhereastretch
ofwaterhasmorethanoneusewhichistobeprotected,thequality
objectivemustbestringentenoughtoprotectallthoseuses.
«. ' • "
3.3.3.Sedimentsandmol_lus£s _ .
Thereisaneedtoensurethatthereisnolong-termbuild-upofcadmium
intheaquaticenvironment.Bothsedimentsandmolluscsconcentrate
cadmiumfromsurrounding water,andanalysisofthemwillprovidean
indicationofchangesinwaterquality.
Thechoicebetweenanalysingsedimentoracharacteristic molluscisleft
tothecompetentauthoritiesintheMemberStates,andistobemade
accordingtolocalcircumstances .
Therequirementthatthecadmiumcontentofsedimentsorofacharacteris­
ticmolluscmustnotincreasesignificantly withtimeappliestofresh
waterandtosaltwater.
(1)OJNoL194-27.7.1975-p.26
(2)OJNoL281-10.11.1979-P.47

-8-
3.3.4.Timetableforcpalit^objectives
Itisproposed -thatthetimetablefortheapplicationofqualityob­
jectiveswillcorrespond ,tothatforlimitvalues.
However,inthecaseofneworchangeddischargeswhichcomplywith
theotherqualityobjectivesinthisproposaltheremightwellstillbe
abuild-upofcadmiuminsedimentsandmolluscs.Thiswouldreflectan
increased,butstillacceptable,cadmiumconcentration inthereceiving
water.Itisforthisreasonthatinthecaseofneworchangeddis­
chargestwoyearsisallowedbefore -thequalityobjectivesforsediments
andmolluscsmustberespected,
3.3.5.OtherCommunity£ualitj££hje£tives
CouncilDirective76/464/EECallowsMemberStatestosetemissionstan-*
dardsbasedoncompliancewithqualityobjectiveslaiddownbythe
CouncilormoresevereCommunityqualityobjectives.Thisproposal
includesqualityobjectives,butthereareotherCouncildirectiveswhich
relatetocadmiuminwatersdesignatedforparticularuses.
CouncilDirective75/440/EEC(l)setsaguidevalueof1/ug/lfor
cadmiuminsurfacewaterintendedforabstraction ofdrinkingwater.
Thisissimilartothevalu^inthisproposalforfreshwater.
Councildirectives79/923/EEC(2)and76/160/EEC(3)referrespectively
tocadmiuminthefleshofshellfishandinbathingwater1butlaydown
nonumericalvalues.However,Article3(3)ofdirective79/923/EEC
makesitclearthatemissionstandardsfor"metals",includingcadmium,
laiddownpursuanttoCouncilDirective76/464/EEC,shouldbeapplied
atthesametimeasthequalityobjectivesinthatdirective.
3„4.Monitoringprocédure
Theproposalcontainsamonitoringprocedureinconnectionwiththeap­
plicationofqualityobjectives.Fortechnicalreasonsitislikelythat
thedetailedprocedurestobeadoptedinindividualcaseswillbevery
different,andthemonitoringprocedureisgiveninoutlineform.
InaccordancewithArticle6(3)ofCouncildirective76/464/EECMember
Stateschoosingtosetemissionstandardsaccordingtoqualityobjectives
mustprovetotheCommissionthatthequalityobjectivesarebeingmet
andcontinuously maintained.Thisproofmustbeinaccordancewiththe
monitoringproceduresetupbytheCouncil.
ThesamearticlerequirestheCommissiontoreporttotheCouncilthe
instanceswherethequalityobjective *methodhasbeenused.Itisalso
providesfortheCounciltoreviewsuchcaseseveryfiveyears,on'the
basisofaCommissionproposal.Therewillthusbeadequateopportunity
toconsider,inthelightofexperience,whetheramorespecificmonitoring
procedureshouldbelaiddownatalaterdate.
(1)OJNoL194-
(2)OJNoL281-
(3)OJNoL31-25.7.1975-P.26
10.11.1979-P.47
5.2.1976-p.l

-9-
3.5•Reviewofauthorizations -
Theproposalprovidesforauthorizations tobereviewedatleastonce
everyfouryears.ThisisinconformitywithArticle3(4)ofCouncil
directive76/464/EEC,whichlaysdownthatauthorizations maybegranted
foralimitedperiodonly.
\ . • -
Itisnecessarythatallauthorizations should "beexaminedfromtimeto
timesoastoensurethattheyarestillsuitable.Thefrequencyatwhich
thesere-examinations needtobemadewillvaryfromcasetocase^butit
isconsideredthatonceeveryfouryearsistheminimumfrequencyconsistent
withtheobjectivesoftheproposeddirective.
3.6.Newplant
Theproposalrequiresthatemissionstandardsfordischargesfromnew
plantshallbesetinrelationtobesttechnicalmeansofremoving "
cadmiumfromeffluents.Thisisinadditiontoconformingwith,the
limitvaluesorbeingconsistentwiththequalityobjectives'laiddown
inthedirective.
Inthiswaytherequirements ofthedirectivewillbecomeprogressively
stricter,inlinewiththeintentiontoreducepollutionbycadmium.
3.7.Referencemethodofanalysis
Itisnecessarytoproposeareferencemethodofanalysis,andatomic
absorptionspectrophotometry wasselectedasbeingsuitableandwidely
used.However,othermethodsofequivalentperformance maybeused.
Thevaluesproposedforaccuracy,precisionandlimitofdetectionhave
beenselectedonthebasisofwhatisnecessarytoensurethatthelimit
valuesandqualityobjectivesarebeingobserved.Itisacceptedthatin
somecasestheanalyseswillneedtoincludeapre-poncentrat ionstep.
Inthecasesofthequalityobjectivesapplyingtofreshandsaltwater,>.
butnottosediments -andcharacteristic molluscs,filtrationthrougha-
0«45micronfilterispermitted.Theseanalyseswillthereforemeasure
the"soluble"cadmium.Thisisinaccordance withthetoxiceffectsof
cadmium,whichareonlymanifestedbycadmiuminsolution, -x-
Thisdispensation doesnotapplyinothercases,whereitisthetotal
quantityofcadmiumpresentwhichissignificant.
Thereferencemethoddoesnotdistinguish betweenthevariouschemical
formsinwhichcadmiummightbepresentinasample.Thisisinaccordance
withthedefinitionofcadmiumgivenintheproposalandwiththefact
thatthetoxicityofcadmiumcompoundsiarelatedtotheircadmiumcontent.
3.8.Phosphaterock
Phosphaterockistheprincipalrawmaterialfromwhichphosphoricacidis
manufactured intheCommunity.Thephosphaterockcontainscadmiumand
muchofthisremainsinthephospho-gypsum whichisproducedasaby­
product.Atpresenttherearenotechnically andeconomically feasible
methodsforremovingcadmium©itherfromphosphaterockorfromphospho­
gypsum.Theproposalthereforedoesnotrelatetocadmiumdischargedas
aresultofthemanufactureofphosphoricacidfromphosphaterock.

-10-
However "theServices oftheCommission areexamining theways inwhich
discharges ofcadmium from this industry might becontrolled .Other
countries are also concerned tolimit the dissemination ofcadmium from
phosphate rook and itishoped tobenefit from their experience aAfur­
ther proposal tothe Council may bemade induecourse ,,
3„9 „Surveillance ofareas affected bydischarges
The limit values forcadmium indischarges have been proposed according
tothetoxicity ,persistence andbioaccumulation ofcadmium andhave taken
into account thebest technical means .Itisintended that their application
shall protect thequality ofthereceiving waters ,andMember States are
called upon tokeep the zones affected bydischarges under surveillance 0
Theform ofthesurveillance hasbeen left toMember States todecide ,
according tolocal circumstances ,except inthecases where thequality
objective approach isused .However ,when thearea affected includes
waters inmore than oneMember State ,then theStates concerned arecalled
upon toactinconcert ,andtoinform theCommission oftheir action .
3ol0 .Reports tothe Council
Article 13oftheparent directive provides fortheMember States tosupply
theCommission with ,among other things ,details ofauthorizations
granted andtheresult ofmonitoring bythenational network .
Theproposed directive requires theCommission tomake acomparative
assessment ofthe implementation ofthedirective .Atleast every five
years theCommission must send this report tothe Council .Where necessary
theCommission must also submit proposals for further action tothe
Council .
Inthis wayboth theCouncil andtheCommission will beable tokeep
the operation ofthe directive under continual review .
3*11*Pollution caused byindirect discharges
Cadmium isachemical element and socannot bedestroyed byanychemical
means .Once cadmium has been introduced into the environment itwill al­
most certainly stay there ;the quantity will notbereduced byany
,process ofbiodegradation .
There arevery many chemical forms inwhich cadmium might exist inthe
environment .Some will bevery soluble inwater ,others virtually inso­
luble .However ,allforms ofcadmium aretogreater orlesser degree
mobile .
Itfollows ,forexample ,that cadmium discharged totheatmosphere will
ultimately come topollute water ,.Some will fall directly into water ,
some may ,beabsorbed through the lungs ofanimals andultimately be
excreted inasoluble form orreleased inasoluble form after the
animal hasdied ,some will fall onto -land andfind itsway into under­
ground water orsurface water orbetaken upbyplants .Thecadmium
taken upbyplants will bereturned ultimately totheenvironment ,either
directly when theplants dieanddecay orindirectly after they have
been eaten .

-11-
Theprincipal control measures envisaged inthis proposed directive
relate todischarges ofcadmium tothe specified surface waters .These
measures relate toliquid effluents arising during the operation of
plants processing cadmium ormaterials containing cadmium .However ,dis­
charges ofcadmium canarise inother ways .Cadmium maybedischarged to
theatmosphere with flue gases ,oritmaybedumped ontoland aspart
ofasolid waste .Much ofthis cadmium ultimately find itsway into
controlled waters . ,
Article 8and9ofCouncil directive 76/4M/EECprovide some protection
against pollution arising from indirect discharges .TheCommission is
studying thematter ofpollution arising from indirect discharges con­
taining List Isubstances ,andhopes topresent appropriate proposals to
theCouncil induecourse .Itisforthis reason that thepresent proposal
does not refer toindirect discharges .
4.CONSULTATION OPPARLIAMENT ANDOPTHEECONOMIC ANDSOCIAL COMMITTEE
Astheproposal fortheDirective isbased onArticle 6ofDirective ,
76/464/SECand .Article 235oftheTreaty ,consultation ofParliament ,
butnotoftheEconomic andSocial Committee ,isrequired .However ,the
Commission considers ,inview ofthepolitical importance' ofthe
proposals ,that they should besubmitted toboth these Institutions .

-1-
Proposal foraCouncil Directive concerning the limit values fordischarges
ofcadmium into theaquatic environment andquality objectives forcadmium
inthe aquatic environment
THECOUNCIL OPTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard totheTreaty establishing the Eiitopean Economic Community ,and
inparticular Article 235thereof ,
Having regard toCouncil Directive 76/464/EECof4May1976 onpollution
caused "bycertain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environ­
ment oftheCommunity (1),andinparticular Articles 3,6and *12thereof ,
Having regard totheproposal from theCommission ,
Having regard totheopinion oftheEuropean Parliament ,
Having regard totheopinion oftheEconomic andSocial Committee ;
Whereas ,inorder toprotect theaquatic environment oftheCommunity against
pollution bycertain dangerous substances ,Article 3ofDirective 76/464/EEC
provides forasystem of .prior authorization laying down emission standards
fordischarges ofthe substances falling within List Icontained inthe
Annex thereto ;
Whereas cadmium and itscompounds areincluded inList I;
Whereas Article 6ofDirective 76/464/EECprovides that limit values shall
belaid down foremission standards ;
Whereas ,since pollution caused bydischarges containing cadmium and its
compounds arises from many industries ,itisnecessary tolaydown limit values
for each industry orgroup ofindustries :
(l)OJNoL129,18.5.1976 ,p.23

Whereasatthepresenttimeitisnotpracticabletoestablishlimit
valuesfordischargesarisingfromthemanufacture ofphosphoricacid
fromphosphaterock; >
WhereasArticle6ofDirective76/464/EECprovidesthatqualityobjectives
shallbelaiddown-forsubstancesinListI,andwhereasthatArticle
providesthatasanexceptionemissionstandardsmaybesetinrelation
toqualityobjectives ;
WhereasamonitoringprocedureshouldbeinstitutedtoenableMember
Statestoprovethatthequalityobjectivesarebeingcompliedwith;
Whereasitisnecessaryfortheprotectionoftheaquaticenvironment
thatdischargestosewersshouldbesubjecttopriorauthorization ,as
providedforinArticle3ofDirective76/464/EEC;
WhereasgroundwateristhesubjectofCouncilDirective80/68/EEC(l)
andisexcludedfromthescopeofthepresentDirective;
Whereascertainspecificprovisions mustbelaiddowninconnectionwith
theprotectionoftheaquaticenvironmentagainstpollutionbycadmium;
whereas,sincethespecificpowersrequiredtothisendhavenotbeen
providedforintheTreaty,itisnecessarytoinvokeArticle235thereof
HASADOPTEDTHISDIRECTIVE :'
(1)OJNoL20,26.1.1980,p.43»

-3-
Article1
1.ThisDirective,inpursuanceof:
-Article6(l)ofDirective76/464/EEC,laysdownlimitvaluesforemission
standardsforcadmiumfromindustrialplantasdefinedinArticle2(d)
ofthisDirective ;
-Article6(2)ofDirective76/464/EEC,laysdownqualityobjectivesfor
cadmiumintheaquaticenvironment ;
-Article6(4)ofDirective76/464/EEC,laysdowntimelimitsforcompliance
withtheconditionsoftheauthorizations grantedbythecompetent
authorities oftheMemberStatesinthecaseofexistingdischarges ;
-Article12(l)ofDirective76/464/EEC,laysdownthemethodsof
measurement applicablefordetermining cadmiumindischarges andthe
aquaticenvironment ;
-Article6(3)ofDirective76/464/EEC,establishesamonitoringprocedure
concerningqualityobjectives.
2.ThisDirectiveappliestothewatersreferredtoinArticle1(1)ofDirective
76/464/EECywiththeexceptionofgroundwater.
Article2
ForthepurposesofthisDirective :
(a)'cadmium'means:
–thechemicalelementcadmium
-thecadmiumcontainedinanyofitscompounds :
(b)'limitvalue'meanss
thevaluesdescribedinAnnexI;
(c)'qualityobjective'meanss
thevaluesdescribedinAnnexII;
(d)'industrialplant'means:
aplantatwhichcadmiumoranysubstancecontainingcadmiumishandled,
withtheexceptionofplantatwhichphosphoricacidismanufactured
fromphosphaterock:laysdownlimitvaluesforemission
plantasdefinedinArticle2(d)
laysdownqualityobjectivesfor

-4-
(e)"existing plant "means : .
anindustrial plant which isoperational on 1January 1983 ;
ν
(f)"newplant "means :
-anindustrial plant which hasbecome operational after thedate of
notification ofthis Directive ;
-anexisting plant whose capacity forhandling cadmium hasbeen
substantially increased after thedate ofnotification ofthis Directive
(g)"sewer "means : '.
apipe forming part ofasystem through which liquid containing domestic
effluent istransported toapurification plant external tothe industrial
plant inquestion prior totransfer tooneormore ofthe waters referred
toinArticle 1(2).
Article 3
1*The limit values foremission standards andthetime limits bywhich they
must beapplied aregiven inAnnex I.The limit values shall apply atthe
point immediately before thedischarge enters anyofthewaters referred to
inArticle 1(2 )orasewer .
2,Without prejudice toparagraph 4,theauthorizations referred toin
/Article 3ofDirective 76/464/EECmust contain provisions atleast as
strict asthose laid down inAnnex Itothis Directive ,except intho®
cases where aMember State complies with theprovisions ofArticle 6(3)
ofDirective 76/464/EEGandapplies Annexes IIandIII.
3.Theauthorizations referred toinparagraph 2must berevi^-wec 1atleast
once every four years .
4*Inthecase ofnewplants theemission standards rhall besetinaccordance
with the best technical means pvaf.la.ble .

-5-
5.Thereference method fortheanalysis ofcadmium islaid down inAnnex IV.
Other methods may beused provided that the limits of
detection ,precision andaccuracy are least asgood asthose given in
Annex IV.Theaccuracy required inthemeasurement offlow ofdischarge
islaid down inAnnex IV.
Article 4
TheMember States shall keep the entire zone affected byindustrial
plants under surveillance .Inthecase oftransfrontier pollution affecting
more than oneMember State ,theStates concerned shall ,acting inconcert ,
adopt appropriate measures toeliminate thepollution and shall forth­
with inform the Commission thereof .
Article 5
1.Prom theinformation supplied under Article 13ofDirective 76/464/EEC ,
inparticular :
-details ofauthorizations laying down emission standards with regard
todischarges ofcadmium ,
-results obtained bythenational network eetuptodetermine concentrations
ofcadmium ,
the'Commission shall make acomparative assessment oftheimplementation
bytheMember States ofthepresent Directive .
2.Atleast every five years the Commission shall submit tothe Council the
comparative assessment referred toinparagraph 1.Where necessary ,the
Commission shall also submit tothe Council proposals forfurther action .
Article 6
1.TheMember States shall ,by1January 1933 ,bring into force thenecessary
meast-es tocomply therewith ,andshall forthwith inform theCommission
thereof,'

-6- -
TheMember States shall communicate totheCommission thetexts ofthe
provisions ofnational lawwhich theyadopt inthesector covered "by
this Directive .
Article 7
This Directive isaddressed totheMember States .

ANNEX I
Limitvalues,time-limits andverification frequencies and.procedures
fordischargesofcadmium
Industry Unitof
measurementLimitvalueswhich
mustberespectdby
stateddatesVerification
frequency
1.1.19Ö31.1.1986
Zincmining,lead
'andzincrefining
■andthenon-ferrous
ÍmetalindustryMilligramsof
cadmiumper
litreof
discharge1.0(1)
0.5(2)0.6(1)
0.3(2)daily
monthly
;Manufacture of
pigmentsmilligramsof
cadmiumper
litreof
discharge2.0(1)
1.0(2)loO(1)
0*5(2)daily
monthly
gramsofcadmium
dischargedper
kilogramof
cadmiumhandled1.4(3)
0.7(4)O06(3)
.0.3(4)daily
monthly
Manufacture of
stabilisersmilligramsof
cadmiumper
litreof
discharge2.0(l)
1.0(2)1.0(1)
0*5(2)daily
monthly
gramsofcadmium
perkilogramof
cadmiumhandled1.6(3)
0.8(4)1.0(3)
0.5(4)daily
monthly
Manufacture of
batteriesmilligramsof
cadmiumper
litreof
discharge2,0(l)
1.0(2)1.0(1)
0.5(2>daily
monthly
gramsofcadmium
perkilogramof
cadmiumhandled5.0(3)
2.5(4)3.0(3)
1.5(4)daily
monthly
Electroplating milligramsof
cadmiumper
litreof
discharge2.0(l)
1.0(2)1.0(1)
0.5(2)daily
monthly
•gramsofcadmium
perkilogramof
cadmiumhandled1.0(3)
0.5(4)0.6(3)
0„3(4)daily
monthly
¡
(contnd)

AnnexI
Manufacture of
cadmium
compounds .milligramsof
cadmiumper
litreof
discharge2.0(l)
1.0(2)1.0(1)
0.5(2)daily
monthly
gramsofcadmium
perkilogramof
cadmiumhandled2.0(3)
1.0(4)1.0(3)
0.5(4)daily
monthly
Otherindustries,
exceptthe
manufacture of
phosphoricacid,
fromphosphate
rockmilligramsof
cadmiumper
litreof
discharge2.0(l)
1.0(2)1.0(1)
0.5(2)daily
monthly
•
(1)maximumdailyaverageconcentration
(2)maximummonthlyaverageconcentration -
(3)maximumdailyload
(4)maximummonthlyload
Ifthedischargecontainsacontribution fromaprocessorprocessesinwhich
cadmiumisnothandledthelimitvalueformonthlyaverageconcentration of
cadmiummustbecalculatedfromthefollowingformula:
C-Lv/V
where ,Cisthelimitvaluetobeapplied,
Listheappropriatelimitvaluetakenfromtheabovetable
visthetotalmonthlyflowofdischargeattributable to
thehandlingofcadmium
Visthetotalmonthlyflowofthedischargeinquestion.
1
Inthiscasethelimitvaluefordailyaverageconcentration istwicethe
limitvalueformonthlyaverageconcentration .

-3-
Verification procedureforemissionstandards
Thedailyaverageconcentration ofcadmiuminthedischargemust"be
measuredbyanalysingasampleofthedischargecollectedonaflow-
weighted .basisoveraperiodofoneday.Thetotalflowofthedischarge
overthesameperiodmustalsobemeasured.
Thedailyweightofcadmiummustbecalculatedbymultiplying thedaily
averageconcentration ofcadmiumbythetotalflowforthedayinquestion.
Thedailyweight,expressedingrams,mustbedividedbytheweightof
cadmium,expressedinkilograms,handledduringthedayinquestion.
Themonthlyweightofcadmiummustbecalculatedbyaddingtdgetherthe
dailyweighisofcadmiumforthemonthinquestion.Themonthlyweight,
expressedingrams,mustbedividedbytheweightofcadmium,expressed
inkilograms,handledduringthemonthinquestion.
Themonthlyaverageconcentration ofcadmiummustbecalculatedbydividing
themonthlyweightofcadmiumbythesumofthedailyflowsforthemonth
inquestion. \
Itshallbedeemedthattherequirements ofthisAnnexinrespectofthe
industrialestablishment inquestionhavebeensatisfiedifduringthe
courseofanyperiodofoneyearninetyfivepercentofsamplestakenand
analysedinaccordancewiththeprocedurelaiddowninAnnexIVconform
totherelevantemissionstandard.

ANNEXII
Qua1ityobjectives
1.Freshwater
1.1.Themaximumpermissibleconcentration ofcadmiummustbesetinrelation
tothehardnessofthewaterinquestionandmustnotexceedthe'
followingvalues:
νHardnessofwater Maximumcadmiumconcentration
(mg/lasCaCO^) (/ug/l)
<10 0.6
5»-10to<50 0.8
.r*
-^5*50to<100 1.0
>ioo 1.5
t1.2.Thecadmiumcontentofsedimentsorofacharacteristic molluscmust
notincreasesignificantly withtime.Thechoicebetweenthesetwo
possibilities mustbemadebythecompetentnationalauthorities
accordingtolocalcircumstances .
1.3.Thequalityobjectivemustbesuchastoprotectthehealthofpersons
consumingfishtakenfromthewaterinquestionandtoprotectanyother
legitimateuseofsuchwater.,
2.Saitwater .
2.1.Thecadmiumcontentofsaltwater'shallnotexceedlyug/l
Wherethisqualityobjectivecannotbeachievedbecauseofexisting
concentrations ofoadmiumthequalityobjectiveshallbethatthe
cadmiumconcentrationmustnotbemorethan1^ug/1higherthanthat
inanadjacentareaof.unpollutedsaltwater.
2.2.Thecadmiumcontentofsedimentsorofacharacteristic molluscmust
notincreasesignificantly withtime.Thechoicebetweenthesetwo
possibilities mustbemadebythecompetentnationalauthoritiesaccording
tolocalcircumstances .
2.3.Thequalityobjectivemustbesuchastoprotectthehealthofpersons
consumingfishtakenfromthewaterinquestionandtoprotectany
otherlegitimateuseofsuohwater.

-2-
AnnexII
3.Itshailbedeemedthatthequalityobjectivesspecifiedinparagraph1.1
and2.1havebeen,satisfiedifduringthecourseofanyperiodofone
year,atleastninetyfivepercentoftherelevantsamplescomplywith
theappropriatequalityobjective.
4.Highercadmiumconcentration thanthosereferredinparagraphs1.1.and
2.1.shallnotbetakenintoaccountwhentheyariseasaresultoffloods,
naturaldisastersorexceptional meteorological conditions.
5oThequalityobjectivesgiveninparagraphs1.1and2.1applyfrom
1January1986.Lessseverequalityobjectivesapplyfrom1January1983
butinnocasemaytheseexceedtwicetherelevantvaluespecifiedin
1.1and2.1.
Thequalityobjectivesspecifiedin1.2,1.3,2.2and2.3applyfrom
1January1983*
6.Whenasaresultofchangesinthepatternofindustryareasofwaterare
affectedbydischargesfromnewplant,thequalityobjectivesinparagraphs
1.2and2.2shallapplytwoyearsafterthestartofthenewdischarge.
7.Whereastretchofwaterhasmorethanoneusewhichistobeprotected,
thequalityobjectivemustbestringentenoughtoprotectalltheseuses.

ANNEXIII
Monitoriry ?procedureforqualityobjectives
Foreachauthorization grantedinpursuanceofthisDirective,the
competentauthorityshallspecifythemonitoringmethodstoensure
compliancewiththequalityobjectiveorobjectivesappropriateto
thatauthorization ,throughouttheareaaffectedbythedischarge.
InaccordancewiththeprocedureoutlinedinArticle6(3)of
Directive76/464/EEC,"theMemberStateshallreporttotheCommission
foreachqualityobjectivechosenandappliedto:
-thepointsofdischargeandthedispersalapparatus ;
-theareainwhichthequalityobjectiveisapplied:
-thelocationofsamplingpoints;
-thefrequencyofsampling:
–themethodsofsamplingandofmeasurement :
1
–theresultsobtained *
Samplesmustbeproperlyrepresentative ofthequalityoftheaquatic
environmentfortheareaaffectedbythedischarge,andthefrequency
ofsamplingmustbesufficiently hightoshowchangesinthestateof
theaquaticenvironment •

ANNEX IV
Methods of measurement
1*Thereference method ofanalysis todetermine cadmium inwater ,molluscs
and sediments isatomic absorption spectrophotometry after appropriate
treatment ofthe sample .Inthecase ofsamples taken inconnection with
thequality objectives defined inparagraphs l(l),2(l)and2(2)of
Annex IIthis pretreatment may include filtering the sample through a
0.45 micron filter .
2,Thelimits ofdetection (l)must "besuch that thecadmium concentration
maybemeasured toanaccuracy (l)of+30$andaprecision (l)of+30$
atconcentrations :
-inthecases ofdischarges ,onetenth ofthemaximum permitted concen­
tration specified inthe authorization ;
-inthecase ofwaters towhich aquality objective applies ,onetenth
ofthecadmium concentration specified inthequality objective ;
-inthecase ofunpolluted waters ,onetenth ofthecadmium concentration
inthewater ;
-inthecase ofsediments ,molluscs andfish ,onetenth ofthecadmium
concentration inthe sample .
3.Plow measurement should becarried outtoanaccuracy of+20$.
(l)Thedefinitions ofthese terms areasgiven inCouncil Directive 79/869/EEC
concerning themethods ofmeasurement andthefrequencies ofsampling and
analysis ofsurface water intended fortheabstraction ofdrinking water
intheMember States ,0JL271,29.10.1979 »P«44