PARCOM Decision 96/1 on the phasing-out of the use of hexachloroethane in the non-ferrous metal industry
Date: 1996-06-21
Institutions: Belgium, Denmark, European Community, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Subjects: dangerous substance, international convention, marine pollution, marketing restriction, metallurgical industry, non-ferrous metal, prevention of pollution

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Official Journal of the European Communities

28. 3. 98

OSLO AND PARIS CONVENTIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF MARINE POLLUTION

JOINT MEETING OF THE OSLO AND PARIS COMMISSIONS

on the phasing-out of the use of hexachloroethane in the non-ferrous metal industry

PARCOM DECISION 96/1

Oslo: 17 to 21 June 1996.

RECALLING PARCOM Decision 92/4 on the phasing-out of the use of hexachloroethane (HCE)
in the secondary aluminium industry and in the primary aluminium industry with integrated
foundries;

RECALLING PARCOM Decision 93/1 on the phasing-out of the use of hexachloroethane (HCE)
in the non-ferrous metal industry;

CONSIDERING that organohalogen compounds which are toxic, persistent and liable to bioac-
cumulate are a cause of marine pollution requiring urgent measures;

CONSIDERING that these substances are on the Paris Convention priority list;

CONSIDERING that hexachloroethane has been used till now in the non-ferrous metal industry,
mainly as a degasifier in magnesium and copper foundries;

CONSIDERING that other systems and alternative substances already exist, capable of attaining
similar, or even superior, technical efficiency and performance and that some of the alternative
techniques involve less ecological risk;

CONSIDERING that limited exemptions are necessary for some applications in the production of
magnesium and aluminium alloys to give small and medium-sized foundries a reasonable period
for adaptation,

THE CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION FOR THE PREVENTION OF MARINE
POLLUTION FROM LAND-BASED SOURCES DECIDE THAT:

1. Programmes and measures

1.1. All uses of HCE in the aluminium industry (including integrated and non-integrated foun-
dries casting aluminium) shall be phased out as far as possible by 31 December 1996 and at
the latest by 31 December 1997.

1.2. All uses of HCE in other non-ferrous metal industry shall be phased out by 31 December

1997.

1.3. As exceptions to this Decision, hexachloroethane may be used:

(a) for grain refining in the production of the magnesium alloys AZ81, AZ91 and AZ92;

(b) in non-integrated aluminium foundries producing specialised castings for applications
requiring high quality and high safety standards and where consumption is less than 1,5
kg of hexachloroethane per day on average.

The need for these exceptions will be reviewed in 1998.

1.4. Potential alternative technologies should be assessed by competent authorities for their risks

and benefits.

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2.

Entry into force

2.1. This Decision replaces PARCOM Decisions 92/4 and 93/1 with effect from the date when
the Secretariat has received confirmation from Contracting Parties holding at least three
quarters of the total number of votes in the Paris Commission that they are in a position to
proceed.

2.2. That replacement has effect for each Contracting Party from:

(a) the date mentioned in subparagraph 2.1, or

(b) the date when it delivers such a notification to the Secretariat,

whichever is later.

3.

Implementation reports

3.1. Implementation reports on this Decision should be made to the appropriate OSPAR
working group meeting preceding the meeting of OSPAR 1999. When reporting, the
format as set out in the Appendix should be used to the extent possible.

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Appendix

Implementation reporting format for PARCOM Decision 96/1 on the phasing-out of the use of
hexachloroethane in the non-ferrous metal industry

Contracting Party

Reservation

Not applicable
(4)

Means of implementation (1) (2) (3)

By legislation

Administrative
action

Voluntary
agreement

Belgium

Denmark

Finland (5)

France

Germany

Iceland

Ireland

Netherlands

Norway

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

United Kingdom

EC

Luxembourg (6)

Switzerland (5)

(1) Give information on specific measures taken to give effect to this Decision.

(2) Provide information on any special difficulties encountered, such as practical or legal problems, in the implementation of

this Decision.

(3) The reasons for not having fully implemented this Decision should be spelt out clearly and plans for full implementation

should be reported.

(4) State why this Decision is not applicable.

(5) Contracting State to the OSPAR Convention.

(6) Signatory to the Paris Convention and the OSPAR Convention.