HELCOM ad hoc expert group on dumped chemical munition (HELCOM MUNI)  

Terms of reference for HELCOM MUNI

The work of the ad hoc WG/EG HELCOM MUNI will be based on the following prerequisites:

1. HELCOM is responsible for monitoring the status of the Baltic Sea Ecosystem and – as deemed necessary - for deciding on respective protective measures;

2. The HELCOM Final Report of the ad hoc Working Group on Dumped Chemical Munition (HELCOM CHEMU report) which comprises the scientific knowledge and information that has been available at that time and which has been presented to HELCOM 16 in March 1995 constitutes the basis for the work of HELCOM MUNI;

3. Mindful of the time period since 1995 and in particular of the technical and scientific developments and new available information such as actual investigations and research programmes, further information by other organisations/companies and as well as with regard to reported incidents (including discovery of phosphor on beaches), HELCOM MUNI will update the “CHEMU-report”;

4. For those HELCOM Member States being also EU Member States a close link will be established between the work of HELCOM MUNI and the implementation process of the EUSBSR Flagship Project “Assess the need to clean up contaminated wrecks and chemical weapons”, led by Poland, i.a. as regards possible upcoming need for research funding;

5. Findings of various relevant projects will be taken into account;

6. Commitments that have been made in the framework of the Baltic Sea Action Summit on February 10, 2010, in Helsinki will be included into the work of HELCOM MUNI (e.g. commitments from Lithuania and Nord Stream);

7. HELCOM Contracting Parties are invited to actively participate in the work of HELCOM MUNI;

8. HELCOM MUNI will:

• compile all kinds of additional information on dumping activities after the World War II;

• check whether the general conclusions of the “CHEMU-report” are still valid;

• check whether all recommendations as set out in the “CHEMU-report” are fulfilled in a satisfactory way;

• identify obstacles that may have led to unsatisfactory fulfilment;

• develop additional recommendations as deemed necessary;

• use suitable models in order to assess the ecological risks related to sea dumped chemical munition;

• update or as deemed necessary, develop Guidelines for affected groups e.g. fishermen, based on existing national guidelines; 

• together with lead country Denmark review the existing reporting system with the aim of involving HELCOM Contracting Parties more actively into reporting obligations.