Community Strategy Concerning Mercury

In the light of the mercury-related health risks for humans and the environment, the European Union (EU) is developing a strategy based on six objectives, accompanied by specific actions, aimed mainly at reducing the quantity and the circulation of mercury within the EU and throughout the world as well as human exposure to this substance.

ACT

Communication from the Commission of 28 January 2005, "Community Strategy Concerning Mercury" [COM(2005) 20 - Official Journal C 52 of 2 March 2005].

SUMMARY

Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic to humans, ecosystems and wildlife. High doses can be fatal, but even relatively low doses can damage the nervous system.

The purpose of this strategy is to reduce the impact of mercury and the risks it presents for the environment and human health.

It is based on the following six objectives:

reducing mercury emissions;
cutting the supply and demand for mercury;
managing existing amounts of mercury in products still in use or in storage;
protecting against mercury exposure;
improving understanding of the mercury problem and its solutions;
supporting and promoting international action on mercury.

The strategy identifies a certain number of specific actions for each objective.

Reducing emissions
The strategy aims mainly to evaluate the implementation of existing legislation (particularly the IPPC Directive ), study the cases of certain sources (small combustion plants, dental amalgam) and encourage the exchange of information on mercury discharges and the best available prevention and reduction techniques.

Structure of supply and demand
The EU is the world's biggest exporter of mercury. The Commission intends to propose a ban (by 2011) on the export of mercury from the European Union (EU). This ban would be accompanied by assistance to develop new employment opportunities in the regions concerned. Moreover, the Commission wants to restrict the marketing of non-electrical or electronic measuring and control equipment containing mercury (for example thermometers) by amending Directive 76/769/EEC , and evaluate the impact of residual mercury use (in particular dental amalgams).

Managing surpluses and reservoirs
Since the permanent disposal of mercury is too expensive and uncertain, the strategy is to store mercury produced by the chlor-alkali industry (the largest holder of mercury in the EU), and at the same time carry out investigations into the future of mercury already circulating in society.

Protecting against exposure
The main source of exposure in developed countries is through inhaling mercury vapour from dental amalgam (this will be studied in more detail, see below); furthermore, methyl mercury (its most toxic form) collects and concentrates especially in the aquatic food chain (fish, seafood, etc.). This is why the European Food Safety Agency ( EFSA ) is to carry out a study into dietary exposure in vulnerable population groups (pregnant women, children, etc.), particularly people who eat a lot of fish and seafood. The strategy also foresees regular communication of additional information concerning mercury in food.

Improving understanding
The Commission is seeking to fill the gaps in our knowledge of mercury through research , the priorities of which are set out in the 7th Research and Technical Development Framework Programme.

Supporting and promoting international action
The strategy provides for the contribution from the Community and the Member States to international fora and activities as well as concluding bilateral agreements with third countries to address the mercury problem world-wide.

The Commission has annexed a detailed impact study [ PDF ] to this strategy. It intends to review its strategy by the end of 2010.

Background

Although mercury is released by natural sources such as volcanoes, additional releases from human activity, such as coal burning and use in various products, have led to significant increases in environmental exposure and deposition.

The main uses internationally, namely gold mining (small-scale mining of essentially alluvial and elluvial gold-bearing deposits to extract the ore in powder, flake or pellet form), batteries and accumulators used in the chlor-alkali industry, together account for over 75% of mercury consumption. Of these, the only significant user in the EU is the chlor-alkali industry, but this type of emission will be progressively reduced under the IPPC Directive . Mercury use in gold mining is known to be significant in French Guyana (where the French authorities are considering a ban) but not in the European region of the EU. Directive 91/157/EEC limits the use of mercury in batteries and accumulators.

RELATED ACTS

Report from the Commission to the Council of 6 September 2002 concerning Mercury from the Chlor-alkali Industry [COM(2002) 489 - not published in the Official Journal].

For additional information on mercury, please see the internet site of the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Environment .

Last updated: 10.06.2005