Minamata Convention on Mercury

SUMMARY OF:

Decision (EU) 2017/939 concluding on behalf of the European Union the Minamata Convention on Mercury

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS DECISION?

It approves, on behalf of the EU, the Minamata Convention on Mercury — a global treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. The convention is included in the annex to the decision.

KEY POINTS

The Minamata Convention on Mercury — concluded under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme — sets up an international set of rules for cooperation and measures to limit the use of mercury and mercury compounds. It further aims to control and reduce anthropogenic emissions (i.e. relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings) of mercury and mercury compounds to air, water and land.

The convention covers the complete life-cycle of mercury. It contains articles that introduce:

a ban on new mercury mines and a phase-out of existing ones;
restrictions on international trade in mercury;
control measures on emissions and releases;
measures to prohibit the manufacture, import or export of a range of mercury-added products;
measures to phase-out and phase-down the use of mercury in key manufacturing processes;
measures to phase down the use of dental amalgam;
measures to reduce mercury emissions from artisanal and small-scale gold mining and processing;
measures to ensure the environmental sound interim storage of mercury and mercury compounds and the environmental sound management of mercury waste.

The EU adopted Regulation (EU) 2017/852 to enable EU countries to implement the convention.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DECISION APPLY?

It has applied since 11 May 2017.

BACKGROUND

Mercury is recognised as a substance producing significant adverse neurological and other health effects, with particular concerns expressed about its harmful effects on unborn children and infants. The global transport of mercury in the environment was a key reason for taking the decision that global action to address the problem of mercury pollution was required.

The EU signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury in October 2013 and thereby committed itself to ensuring its ratification and implementation.

For more information, see:

Minamata Convention on Mercury (European Commission)
Minamata Convention on Mercury (United Nations).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Decision (EU) 2017/939 of 11 May 2017 on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Minamata Convention on Mercury (OJ L 142, 2.6.2017, pp. 4-39)