EU proposes to ratify international mercury legislation

The European Commission on Tuesday said it adopted proposals setting in motion the ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury by the European Union (EU).

The package proposed by the Commission 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.

"This is a key step in better protecting EU citizens from mercury pollution," read an official Commission press release.

Mercury can travel long distances in the air, thus international action is necessary to protecting people. A total of 40 to 80 percent 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.

"We are boosting international efforts to protect the people from exposure to mercury and showing the way to eliminating the use of this toxic heavy metal globally," said EU Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Karmenu Vella.

Pending approval by the European Parliament and Council, the ratification of the Convention by the EU and its member states would help the international convention to enter into force, rendering it legally binding.

The Minamata Convention will enter into force three months after the 50th ratification, which is expected in the course of 2017. Endit