Objectives of the Mercury Regulation
As of 2011, the EU has prohibited all Member States from exporting metallic mercury, certain mercury compounds and mixtures (Regulation No 1102/2008). The rules on the safe storage of mercury were introduced, as well as provisions on how to dispose of waste mercury in a way that is safe to health and the environment.
On 1 January 2018 a new Regulation on Mercury (2017/852) came into force within the EU. The EU export ban has been supplemented with an import ban on mercury and mercury mixtures. Certain specified products to which mercury has been added may not be exported, imported or manufactured. Furthermore, the use of amalgam is restricted; there are also requirements that dental clinics making use of dental amalgam or those using amalgam in fillings must have an amalgam separator installed. The Regulation also regulates the use of mercury in industrial operations, the storage of waste mercury, etc.