The European Parliament and Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2017/852 on Mercury on the 17 May 2017. This filled gaps in existing EU mercury legislation with the aim of enabling the EU and its Member States to ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The EU Regulation controls imports and exports of mercury between the EU and non-Member States, restricts the use of dental amalgam, sets requirements for the storage and disposal of mercury, and restricts the creation of new mercury-added products or new manufacturing processes involving mercury from the 1 January 2018.
Whilst the provisions of the EU Regulation are directly applicable in UK law, domestic regulations are required to designate authorities for the enforcement of the regulation’s provisions as well as offences and penalties. The approach proposed by government is set out in details contained within the consultation document.
The consultation document and associated documents can be accessed through the Respond Online link below. Online responses to the consultation can be submitted via the same link. Further details of alternative methods for responding are set out in the consultation letter.