The European Commission published on 5 March its roadmap, open for comment until 2 April, for future restrictions on the use of mercury in the EU and its trade at international level.
These restrictions will be implemented by means of a European regulation that will impose additional restrictions on this heavy metal, which is highly toxic to human health and the environment.
The proposed regulation, expected in the third quarter of 2021 with a view to adoption in the fourth quarter of 2022, will contribute to the ‘zero pollution’ ambition for a non-toxic environment announced in the European Green Deal.
The EU strategy on mercury dates back to 2005. Regulation (EU) 2017/852 transposing the Minamata International Convention has already restricted the use of mercury in most products containing it and provides for the phasing out of mercury in dentistry (see EUROPE 11918/27, 11745/2).
The use of this heavy metal is indeed still present, mainly in dental amalgams, but also in other products such as lamps and measuring devices.
The replacement of dental amalgam fillings with mercury-free materials is taking place gradually, without political intervention, because patients in general, and increasingly dentists, prefer mercury-free fillings. Nevertheless, without further legislative action, it is expected that significant amounts of dental amalgam will still be used in the EU in the coming years.
To make comments (until midnight on 2 April): http://bit.ly/2N1iGCa (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)