eunbil · GY0N242785 · 2010-10-04 00:00:00 — Ministry of the Environment 14 October 2010; AOB: Review of the Community Strategy Concerning Mercury - opportunities for further action Mercury and its compounds are highly toxic to humans, ecosystems and wildlife. Initially seen as an acute and local problem, mercury pollution is now also understood to be global, diffuse and chronic. would like to bring the attention to the opportunities for the EU to maintain leadership in the ongoing negotiations on a new global mercury convention, by signalling further commitments through its review of the Community Strategy Concerning Mercury. The stakeholder consultation has confirmed that there is a strong support for the reinforcement of current action, as well as further action. Commissions review study has identified a number of areas where additional action could be taken to better protect human health and environment from mercury related hazards. Such action would also serve as a proactive contribution to an ambitious global mercury convention. Areas for such consideration are, inter alia, the of a sun-set date for the catalytic use in the chlor-alkali- industry, the deletion of the current exemption for use in button cell and the initiation of a phase down of mercury use in dental amalgam as recommended by the WHO. Rationale The Community Strategy Concerning Mercury has proven to be a useful tool for coherent and comprehensive action by the EU, within the community as well as globally. A big part of its actions have been implemented rather successfully but work still remains to be done. The review has, inter alia, highlighted that neither emissions from larger industries ( including coal combustion) nor the treatment of amalgam waste have so far been sufficiently addressed. Furthermore, the strategy has shown the outer world that the EU is able and willing to take a leading role in global efforts. However, it has become clear that the EU is currently lagging behind other regions as regards action in several areas (e.g. measuring devices, , chlor-alkali industry, see further below) and is consequently about to loose this leading role. The Swedish view is that the foreseen review of the strategy should aim at reinforcing current action and identifying further action to be taken within the EU, as well as to give specific guidance and input to the global negotiations. finds it important that the EU continues to show global leadership by staying in the forefront of reducing, and when possible eliminating, mercury use and emissions within its own territory. would like to express its appreciation to Commission for the comprehensive and inclusive analysis so far, i.e. the consultants study on the current status as well as potential additional measures and the stakeholders work-shop on the 18th of . In the Swedish view, the stakeholder consultations confirmed that many stakeholders strongly supports a reinforcement of current action, as well as further action, to minimise the releases of this extremely hazardous substance. The chlor-alkali industry, producing chlorine and caustic soda for down-stream industry, is by far the largest user of mercury within the EU as well as world-wide. Despite that the mercury-cell technology is obsolete according to EU emissions legislation, and that this technology since long has been phased out in other regions (e.g. ), a majority of plants in the EU have been allowed to continue. There is, however, a voluntary commitment by EuroChlor to close or convert the plants by 2020. There should consequently be good possibilities for agreeing on a legally binding sun-set date around 2020, while maintaining the prosperity of chlor-akali sector. Mercury use in is restricted within the EU but there is an exemption for button cells. As a considerable amount of will not be separately recollected, this mercury will end up in the environment via incineration or landfills. In the , two states have already enacted legislation, and battery manufacturers have voluntarily committed to eliminating mercury by 2011. sees no reason for why similar action could not be taken within the EU. Finally, an area where expects the strategy to also deliver is the use of mercury for dental amalgam. Mercury use in dental amalgam is the biggest remaining use of mercury in products not restricted within the EU. The WHO advocates a general phase-out of mercury in the health care sector and a phase down of use of dental amalgam. The stakeholder consultation has confirmed that mercury-free dental fillings are available for almost all purposes. The consultation has furthermore indicated an openness among Member States to initiate such a phase-down, as long as due consideration would be taken to the different structures, needs and priorities of the dental care sector in each . is convinced that solutions could be found that fulfil those requirements. Background Mercury is one of the most challenging toxic chemicals at EU as well as international level. Elemental mercury is transported globally in the atmosphere and will enter the food chain. The most critical toxic effect is damage to the central nervous system, notably the developing brain of the foetus. There is a global consensus on the need to combat mercury emissions in the whole life cycle, e.g. by cutting supply and demand. The 25th in February 2009 agreed to convene an () with the mandate to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury. The decision specifies that the INC should commence its work in 2010 with the goal of completing its task prior to the 27th in 2013. The convention is supposed to include provisions covering all major uses and releases of mercury at global level. The GC decision is a major success for the purposeful work by the EU during several years to gain other countries support for the conclusion that voluntary efforts would not be sufficient to combat the global challenges of mercury. The second meeting of will take place in , , 24-28 January 2011. COM(2005) 20 final . Review of the Community Strategy Concerning Mercury, , Draft Final Report 4 2010 : Mercury in Health Care, 2005.