The "Toolkit for identification and quantification of mercury releases", the "Toolkit", is intended to assist countries to develop a national mercury releases inventory. It provides a standardized methodology and accompanying database enabling the development of consistent national and regional mercury inventories. National inventories will assist countries to identify and address mercury releases. Comparable sets of mercury source release data will enhance international co-operation, discussion, goal-definition and assistance. Comparable datasets from many countries will help to establish a global picture of the scale of releases, and improve possibilities for enlarging the international knowledge base on mercury uses and releases.
The Toolkit guides the inventory developer through the different stages of identifying sources and quantifying the consumption and releases of mercury from these sources. It provides a methodology, examples and extensive information on mercury release sources. The “Toolkit“ has been revised in 2015 based on experiences in using it and new data and exists in two versions:
- "Inventory Level 1" provides a simplified version of the Toolkit, as well as calculation spreadsheets and a reporting template, to make the development of an overview mercury inventory considerably easier.
- "Inventory Level 2" is the comprehensive version, including a detailed description of all mercury sources, useful for anyone wishing to learn more about a specific mercury release source, including environmental authorities and researchers.
Countries are encouraged to use the Toolkit and to submit their inventories to UNEP Chemicals Branch, who will make them publicly available on these webpage’s. Input and data from all regions will provide a broader knowledge base for the different sources of mercury releases, important for global inventories and for updates of the toolkit.
UNEP Chemicals invites all users of the Toolkit to provide feedback on all aspects of this product. Users may consult with UNEP concerning any difficulties problems with its application, interpretation and implementation occur or where the system does not seem to apply to the situation found in the country. The Toolkit will be updated and revised, as appropriate and feasible, to take account of emerging information and experience.