Council Decision (EU) 2021/727 of 29 April 2021 on the submission, on behalf of the European Union, of proposals to amend Annexes A and B to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, regarding mercury-added products and manufacturing processes in which mercury or mercury compounds are used

• CELEX: Decision (EU) 2021/727
• Articles: 3

Article 1

The Union shall submit proposals to amend Annexes A and B to the Convention, as set out in the Annex to this Decision.

The Commission shall communicate those proposals on behalf of the Union to the Secretariat.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Schedules & Appendices

ANNEX

ANNEX

I.   PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO PART I OF ANNEX A TO THE CONVENTION

The Union proposes adding the following entries to Part I of Annex A:

Mercury-added products

Date after which the manufacture, import or export of the product shall not be allowed (phase-out date)

‘Button zinc silver oxide batteries with a mercury content < 2 % and button zinc air batteries with a mercury content < 2 %

2023

Halophosphate phosphor linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs) for general lighting purposes

2023

The following non-electronic measuring devices:

(a)

strain gauges to be used in plethysmographs;

(b)

tensiometers

2023

The following electrical and electronic measuring devices:

(a)

melt pressure transducers, transmitters and sensors;

(b)

mercury vacuum pumps

2023

Polyurethane, including canisters for the application of polyurethane

2023’

II.   PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO PART II OF ANNEX A TO THE CONVENTION

The Union proposes adding the following text to Part II of Annex A:

‘By 1 January 2024, the Parties shall:

(i)

provide that dental amalgam is only used in pre-dosed encapsulated form  ( 1 ) ;

(ii)

prohibit the use of mercury in bulk form by dental practitioners;

(iii)

ensure that operators of dental facilities in which dental amalgam is used or dental amalgam fillings or teeth containing such fillings are removed equip their facilities with amalgam separators with a retention efficiency level of 95 %  ( 2 ) , for the retention and collection of amalgam particles, including those contained in used water;

(iv)

no longer allow the use of dental amalgam for the dental treatment of deciduous teeth, of children under 15 years and of pregnant or breastfeeding women, except when deemed strictly necessary by the dental practitioner based on the specific medical needs of the patient.

III.   PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ANNEX B TO THE CONVENTION

The Union proposes adding the following entry to Part I of Annex B:

Manufacturing processes using mercury or mercury compounds

Phase-out date

‘Production of polyurethane using mercury-containing catalysts

2023’

( 1 )   Amalgam capsules such as those described in international standards ISO 13897:2018 and 24234:2015 are considered suitable for use by dental practitioners.

( 2 )   Compliance of amalgam separators shall be based on relevant international standards, including ISO 11143:2008.’

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