THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,

Whereas, by Council Decision 77/586/EEC of 25 July 1977, the European Economic Community concluded the Convention for the Protection of the Rhine against Chemical Pollution (hereinafter called ‘the Chemical Convention’) and the Additional Agreement to the Agreement signed at Berne on 29 April 1963 concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution (hereinafter called ‘the International Commission’);

Whereas, under Article 5 of the Chemical Convention, the International Commission is to propose, by means of amendments to Annex IV to the Convention, limit values for the discharge of certain substances into the surface waters of the Rhine basin; whereas under Article 14 of the Chemical Convention unanimous adoption by the Contracting Parties is required for the entry into force of such amendments;

Whereas the International Commission has drawn up limit values for mercury in the form of a recommendation intended to supplement Annex IV to the Chemical Convention;

Whereas it is desirable that the Community, as a Contracting Party to the Chemical Convention, adopt the abovementioned recommendation,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: