Annexes I, II and III to Directive 1999/31/EC are amended as follows:
the following section is added to Annex I:
For the purposes of temporary storage for more than 1 year of metallic mercury, the following requirements shall apply:
Metallic mercury shall be stored separately from other waste.
Containers shall be stored in collecting basins suitably coated so as to be free of cracks and gaps and impervious to metallic mercury with a containment volume adequate for the quantity of mercury stored.
The storage site shall be provided with engineered or natural barriers that are adequate to protect the environment against mercury emissions and a containment volume adequate for the total quantity of mercury stored.
The storage site floors shall be covered with mercury-resistant sealants. A slope with a collection sump shall be provided.
The storage site shall be equipped with a fire protection system.
Storage shall be arranged in a way to ensure that all containers are easily retrievable.’;
the following section is added to Annex II:
For the purposes of temporary storage for more than 1 year of metallic mercury, the following requirements shall apply:
Composition of the mercury
Metallic mercury shall comply with the following specifications:
mercury content greater than 99,9 % per weight,
no impurities capable of corroding carbon or stainless steel (e.g. nitric acid solution, chloride salts solutions).
Containment
Containers used for the storage of metallic mercury shall be corrosion- and shock-resistant. Welds shall therefore be avoided. The containers shall comply in particular with the following specifications:
container material: carbon steel (ASTM A36 minimum) or stainless steel (AISI 304, 316L),
containers shall be gas and liquid tight,
the outer side of the container shall be resistant against the storage conditions,
the design type of the container shall successfully pass the drop test and the leakproofness tests as described in Chapters 6.1.5.3 and 6.1.5.4 of the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria.
The maximum filling ratio of the container shall be 80 % by volume to ensure that sufficient ullage is available and neither leakage nor permanent distortion of the container can occur as a result of an expansion of the liquid due to high temperature.
Acceptance procedures
Only containers with a certificate complying with the requirements set out in this Section shall be accepted.
Acceptance procedures shall comply with the following:
only metallic mercury which fulfils the minimum acceptance criteria set out above shall be accepted,
containers shall be visually inspected before storage. Damaged, leaking or corroded containers shall not be accepted,
containers shall bear a durable stamp (made by punching) mentioning the identification number of the container, the construction material, its empty weight, the reference of the manufacturer and the date of construction,
containers shall bear a plate permanently fixed to the container mentioning the identification number of the certificate.
Certificate
The certificate indicated in subsection C shall include the following elements:
name and address of the waste producer,
name and address of the responsible for the filling,
place and date of filling,
quantity of the mercury,
the purity of the mercury and, if relevant, a description of the impurities, including the analytical report,
confirmation that the containers have been used exclusively for the transport/storage of mercury,
the identification numbers of the containers,
any specific comments.
Certificates shall be issued by the producer of the waste or, in default, by the person responsible for its management.’;
the following section is added to Annex III:
For the purposes of temporary storage for more than 1 year of metallic mercury, the following requirements shall apply:
Monitoring, inspection and emergency requirements
A continuous mercury vapour monitoring system with a sensitivity of at least 0,02 mg mercury/m3 shall be installed in the storage site. Sensors shall be positioned at ground level and head level. This shall include a visual and acoustic alert system. The system shall be maintained annually.
The storage site and containers shall be visually inspected by an authorised person at least once a month. Where leaks are detected, the operator shall immediately take all necessary action to avoid any emission of mercury to the environment and restore the safety of the storage of the mercury. Any leaks shall be considered to have significant adverse environmental effects as referred to in Article 12(b).
Emergency plans and adequate protective equipment suitable for handling metallic mercury shall be available on site.
Record keeping
All documents containing the information referred to in Section 6 of Annex II and in point A of this Section, including the certificate accompanying the container, as well as records concerning the destocking and dispatch of the metallic mercury after its temporary storage and the destination and intended treatment shall be kept for at least 3 years after the termination of the storage.’.