On Wednesday 17 January, the European Parliament voted by a large majority (550 in favour, 14 against, 64 abstentions) in favour of further restrictions on the use and trade of mercury in dental amalgams and lamps containing added mercury.
It all but endorsed the draft report by Marlene Mortler (EPP, German), as amended by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) on the proposed regulation (see EUROPE 13327/17).
The Parliament supports the ban on dental amalgams from 1 January 2025, while maintaining the possibility of using them for patients with specific medical needs.
It highlights the environmental and health concerns associated with this heavy metal, and the affordability of alternative solutions in many EU countries.
The Parliament also calls on the European Commission to report by 31 December 2025 on the reduction of mercury emissions and releases from crematoria.
The only EPP amendment that was voted through specifies, in a recital, that Member States should work to ensure that appropriate reimbursements are available for mercury-free alternatives and that the phasing out of dental amalgam should be accompanied by professional training for dentists, as necessary, to adapt to the new techniques.
The text has been referred back to the ENVI Committee to begin negotiations with the EU Council when it is ready. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)