Endorsement of proposal on the use of mercury

The European Parliament's plenary session adopted on 14 March 2017 a legislative proposal on restricting the use of mercury, following an informal agreement with the Council of the European Union.

Mercury is a persistent pollutant that has adverse effects on the environment and human health. The proposed legislation aims to replace the 2008 mercury export ban regulation, while incorporating its provisions. It also intends to close the gap between existing EU legislation and the UN Minamata Convention against mercury pollution.

The UN Convention was agreed and signed in 2013. The European Commission put forward the legislative proposal in February 2016 and the informal agreement between the Council and the Parliament was reached in December, followed by the confirmation of the Council's committee of representatives.

ESO: Background information: Mercury: Aligning EU legislation with Minamata http://www.europeansources.info/record/mercury-aligning-eu-legislation-with-minamata-4/

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