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Commission moves to ban EU mercury export

Mercury is highly toxic and can seriously harm the environment and people’s health. The European Commission is so concerned about mercury pollution that it has proposed a ban on European Union exports of the substance. The European Parliament and the Council are now discussing the move. Meanwhile, the Commission is talking with the international community in a bid to find ways of reducing the use of mercury worldwide.

In 2005, the Commission adopted a mercury strategy that contains a number of actions to protect people’s health and the environment. The proposed ban on EU exports and the need to find safe ways to store mercury are key aspects of the strategy, which also suggests measures to reduce mercury emissions, cut supply and demand, and protect people against exposure.

Mercury can build up in ecosystems and high doses are fatal to humans and wildlife. It evaporates easily into the atmosphere and its liquid properties mean it can easily pollute watercourses. Even small amounts can do serious damage to the human nervous system and harm the cardiovascular, immune and reproductive systems.

Versatile product

Despite these threats, mercury has over the years proven to be a very useful substance for a range of industries. It is used around the world in small-scale gold mining operations, in some batteries and for the production of certain plastics. “The Commission believes that Europe, as the planet’s largest exporter of mercury, should lead the way in reducing use of the metal around the world.”By far the biggest user in the EU is the chlor-alkali industry, which is already taking steps to phase out the use of mercury from its chlorine production. Mercury is also still used in some thermometers and to make dental amalgam.

After widespread consultation, the Commission is suggesting that the EU bans exports of mercury from July 2011. In addition, the draft legislation addresses the need to store safely the mercury surpluses that will build up after the enforcement of the export ban and the phasing out of its use by European industry (see box below).

International efforts

The Commission believes that Europe, as the planet’s largest exporter of mercury, should lead the way in reducing use of the metal around the world. No global consensus currently exists for an immediate ban on exports. However, an agreement has been reached to form an ad hoc international working group to look at what can be done to limit the use of mercury. The group’s inaugural meeting is due to take place this autumn, when industry representatives and NGOs will examine possible legal and voluntary initiatives.