EU to ratify international Minamata Convention protecting citizens from mercury pollution

EU News 37/2016

Brussels, 2 February 2016

Today, the Commission adopted proposals setting in motion the ratification by the EU of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. This is a key step in better protecting EU citizens from mercury pollution. Mercury can travel long distances in the air, thus international action is necessary to protecting people. 40 to 80 % of mercury encountered in the EU derives from global pollution. When released to the environment mercury enters the food chain where it accumulates mainly in fish. The package proposed today covers a limited number of changes to EU mercury legislation, including a prohibition of any new use of mercury in products and industry in the EU, unless such use is needed for the protection of health and the environment.

Source and additional information:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEX-16-213_en.htm?locale=en
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/mercury/ratification_en.htm

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