The 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals
The Executive Body adopted the Protocol on Heavy Metals in Aarhus (Denmark) on 24 June 1998. It targets three particularly harmful metals: cadmium, lead and mercury. According to one of the basic obligations, Parties have to reduce their emissions for these three metals below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995). The Protocol aims to cut emissions from industrial sources (iron and steel industry, non-ferrous metal industry), combustion processes (power generation, road transport) and waste incineration. It lays down stringent limit values for emissions from stationary sources and suggests best available techniques (BAT) for these sources, such as special filters or scrubbers for combustion sources or mercury-free processes. In addition, the Protocol requires Parties to phase out leaded petrol. It also introduces measures to lower heavy metal emissions from other products, such as mercury in batteries, and proposes the introduction of management measures for other mercury-containing products, such as electrical components (thermostats, switches), measuring devices (thermometers, manometers, barometers), fluorescent lamps, dental amalgam, pesticides and paint.
In 2012, Parties to the Protocol on Heavy Metals adopted decision 2012/5 to amend the Protocol to include more stringent controls of heavy metals emissions and to introduce flexibilities to facilitate accession of new Parties, notably countries in Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. In addition, they adopted decision 2012/6 to update guidance on best available technologies (BAT), as contained in annex III. Amendments entered into force on 8 February 2022.
In 2013, the Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted, a treaty negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Building on the 1998 Protocol on Heavy Metals, the Minamata Convention raised the profile of mercury to the global level.
Further information:
Press-release on the adoption of amendments to the Protocol on Heavy Metals
On the importance of reducing heavy metals, by Katja Kraus, Chair of the Task Force on Heavy Metals, 2003-2013
The Executive Body adopted the Protocol on Heavy Metals in Aarhus (Denmark) on 24 June 1998. It targets three particularly harmful metals: cadmium, lead and mercury. According to one of the basic obligations, Parties have to reduce their emissions for these three metals below their levels in 1990 (or an alternative year between 1985 and 1995). The Protocol aims to cut emissions from industrial sources (iron and steel industry, non-ferrous metal industry), combustion processes (power generation, road transport) and waste incineration. It lays down stringent limit values for emissions from stationary sources and suggests best available techniques (BAT) for these sources, such as special filters or scrubbers for combustion sources or mercury-free processes. In addition, the Protocol requires Parties to phase out leaded petrol. It also introduces measures to lower heavy metal emissions from other products, such as mercury in batteries, and proposes the introduction of management measures for other mercury-containing products, such as electrical components (thermostats, switches), measuring devices (thermometers, manometers, barometers), fluorescent lamps, dental amalgam, pesticides and paint.
In 2012, Parties to the Protocol on Heavy Metals adopted decision 2012/5 to amend the Protocol to include more stringent controls of heavy metals emissions and to introduce flexibilities to facilitate accession of new Parties, notably countries in Eastern Europe, South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. In addition, they adopted decision 2012/6 to update guidance on best available technologies (BAT), as contained in annex III. Amendments entered into force on 8 February 2022.
In 2013, the Minamata Convention on Mercury was adopted, a treaty negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Building on the 1998 Protocol on Heavy Metals, the Minamata Convention raised the profile of mercury to the global level.
| Title | ENG | FRE | RUS | Ratification | Entry into force |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The 1998 Aarhus Protocol on Heavy Metals | Status | 29/12/2003 | |||
| 1998 Protocol on Heavy Metals, as amended on 13 December 2012 | Status | 08/02/2022 |
Further information:
Press-release on the adoption of amendments to the Protocol on Heavy Metals
On the importance of reducing heavy metals, by Katja Kraus, Chair of the Task Force on Heavy Metals, 2003-2013