The Parties,
Determined to implement the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution,
Concerned that emissions of certain heavy metals are transported across national boundaries
and may cause damage to ecosystems of environmental and economic importance and may
have harmful effects on human health,
Considering that combustion and industrial processes are the predominant anthropogenic
sources of emissions of heavy metals into the atmosphere,
Acknowledging that heavy metals are natural constituents of the Earth's crust and
that many heavy metals in certain forms and appropriate concentrations are essential
to life,
Taking into consideration existing scientific and technical data on the emissions,
geochemical processes, atmospheric transport and effects on human health and the environment
of heavy metals, as well as on abatement techniques and costs,
Aware that techniques and management practices are available to reduce air pollution
caused by the emissions of heavy metals,
Recognizing that countries in the region of the United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UN/ECE) have different economic conditions, and that in certain countries
the economies are in transition,
Resolved to take measures to anticipate, prevent or minimize emissions of certain
heavy metals and their related compounds, taking into account the application of the
precautionary approach, as set forth in principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environment
and Development,
Reaffirming that States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own
resources pursuant to their own environmental and development policies, and the responsibility
to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage
to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction,
Mindful that measures to control emissions of heavy metals would also contribute to
the protection of the environment and human health in areas outside the UN/ECE region,
including the Arctic and international waters,
Noting that abating the emissions of specific heavy metals may provide additional
benefits for the abatement of emissions of other pollutants,
Aware that further and more effective action to control and reduce emissions of certain
heavy metals may be needed and that, for example, effects-based studies may provide
a basis for further action,
Noting the important contribution of the private and non-governmental sectors to knowledge
of the effects associated with heavy metals, available alternatives and abatement
techniques, and their role in assisting in the reduction of emissions of heavy metals,
Bearing in mind the activities related to the control of heavy metals at the national
level and in international forums,
