Mercury pollution: Council confirms agreement with the Parliament to enhance protection

On 16 December 2016, the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) endorsed, on behalf of the Council of the European Union, a deal with the European Parliament on a draft regulation on mercury. The new rules aim to enhance the protection against the pollution by this highly toxic substance.

The text was agreed by the Council's presidency and the European Parliament during a trilogue meeting on 6 December 2016.

Mercury represents a global and major threat to human health, including through the presence of its compound methylmercury in fish and seafood. Once emitted into the air or the water, mercury can travel long distances. That is why mercury pollution needs to be tackled at international level.

ESO: Background information: Mercury: Aligning EU legislation with Minamata (EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress, May 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/mercury-aligning-eu-legislation-with-minamata-3/

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