Brief facts about the regulations for mercury
Content:
Mercury is one of the most hazardous environmental toxins and constitutes a threat to both the environment and human health. It is a volatile metal that can be airborne over long distances. Mercury cannot be degraded but accumulates in soil, water and living organisms. It is therefore essential that the use and emission of mercury is reduced.
General ban on mercury in Sweden
Since 2009 Sweden has had a general ban on placing mercury and articles containing mercury on the Swedish market in order to minimise the emissions to the environment.
Mercury means mercury and compounds and mixtures in which mercury has been used or added. According to the national Swedish rules, mercury may not be
- placed on the Swedish market
- used in Sweden.
Articles containing mercury means articles and equipment where mercury is used or has been added. According to the national Swedish rules, articles containing mercury may not be
- placed on the Swedish market
- professionally transferred out of Sweden.
Articles containing mercury that are already in use may continue to be used. That said, such articles may not be placed on the market or be professionally transferred out of Sweden.
Exemptions from the general ban
Certain uses of mercury that are covered by harmonised EU regulations are exempted from the Swedish ban. EU law therefore takes precedence over national regulations, which means that mercury may be used in certain cases despite the general ban in Sweden. Examples of such use are batteries (the Battery Regulation), light sources and other electrical and electronic products (the RoHS Directive) and certain measuring instruments (the REACH Regulation) where limited concentrations of mercury may be present.
There are also certain national exemptions from the general ban. Mercury and goods containing mercury may sometimes be used, placed on the Swedish market or professionally transferred from Sweden according to the exemptions specified in Section 10 of the Ordinance (1998:944) on prohibitions in certain cases in connection with the handling, import and export of chemical products.
External link.
The Swedish Chemicals Agancy's Regulations KIFS 2017:7 also contain certain exemptions from the Swedish ban. Several of these exemptions are time-limited and allow certain uses of mercury in analytical chemicals and certain measuring instruments.
In addition to these exemptions from the general ban, the Swedish Chemicals Agency may grant a dispensation in individual cases.
You can find further information on how to apply for dispensation here
Export ban on mercury from the EU
As of 2011 the EU Regulation on Mercury has prohibited all EU countries from exporting metallic mercury, certain mercury compounds and mixtures. The Regulation also contains provisions on the safe storage and disposal of metallic mercury considered to be waste, as well as provisions on how to dispose of waste mercury in a way that is safe to health and the environment.
A new Regulation on Mercury in 2018
On 1 January 2018 a new Regulation on Mercury came into force within the EU: (EU) 2017/852. This Regulation implements the Minamata Convention on mercury and regulates the use of mercury in a number of different areas. 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.
You can find further information on the EU Regulation on Mercury here
The Minamata convention – a global convention
The Minamata Convention on mercury will restrict and prohibit mercury in both products and industrial processes as of 2020. The Convention was signed in 2013 and came into force in August 2017.
Further information on the Minamata Convention External link.
About mercury – information at other authorities
There are several Swedish government authorities that are responsible in their respective fields for issues relating to mercury.
The Swedish National Food Agency External link.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency External link.
The Swedish Energy Agency External link.
The Swedish Work Environment Authority External link.
The Swedish Medical Products Agency External link.
The National Board of Health and Welfare External link.
The County Administrative Boards of Sweden External link.
The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions External link.