16. 6. 93 Official - Journal of the European Communities No L 144/23 ~ COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 19 May 1993 determining analysis methods, sampling plans and maximum limits for mercury in fishery products (93/351/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, . Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Directive 91/493/EEC of 22 July 1991 laying down the health conditions for the production and placing on the market of fishery products (), and in particular Chapter V, part II point 3 C of the Annex thereto, Whereas natural contamination or pollution of the aquatic environment may result in concentrations of contaminants such as mercury in fishery products; Whereas, to protect public health, the maximum limits for concentrations of mercury in fishery products should be laid down; ) Whereas acceptable weekly human intakes of mercury, as provisionally established at international level, must not be exceeded ; whereas the provisions on maximum limits for mercury in fishery products will have to be reviewed if different acceptable weekly intakes are established at international level ; Whereas low concentrations of mercury do not pose an immediate toxicological danger to consumers but it is necessary to avoid possibly harmful long-term accumula- tions ; whereas it is therefore desirable to limit its absorp- tion in general; Whereas for physiological reasons certain species concen- trate mercury more easily in their tissues; whereas, in accordance with the objectives of the public health protection, higher acceptability limits should be set for these than for other fishery products; Whereas by Commission Decision 90/51S/EEC (%) the Commission adopted reference methods for detecting () OJ No L 268, 24. 9. 1991, p. 15. () OF No L 286, 18. 10. 1990, p. 33. residues of heavy metals and arsenic ; whereas it is appro- priate to apply that Decision to the detection of mercury in fishery products; Whereas Article 3 (4) (b) of Directive 91/493/EEC requires that when live bivalve molluscs are processed the provisions of Chapter V of the Annex to that Directive be applied ; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION : Article 1 The mean total mercury content, as determined by the analysis referred to in Article 3 (2), of the edible parts of fishery products must not exceed 0,5 ppm of fresh product (0,5 milligrams per kilo of fresh weight). This average limit is, however, increased to 1 ppm of fresh product (1 milligram per kilo of fresh weight) for the edible parts of the species listed in the Annex. Article 2 The analysis method to be used in determining the total mercury content is that specified by Decision 90/515/EEC. Article 3 1. Sampling plans shall be laid down for fresh and frozen fishery products by the competent authority. These shall take account on the one hand of the results obtained from national checks and within the framework of the monitoring _system carried out in accordance with Chapter V, part II point 3 B of the Annex to Directive 91/493/EEC and on the other hand of the following factors :