Overview
The EU Mercury Regulation is how the EU implements the Minamata Convention in directly applicable European law. It reaches across the whole life of mercury rather than a single use.
Products
Restricts mercury in products and bans certain mercury-added products
Processes
Controls or prohibits industrial processes that rely on mercury
Trade
Manages the import and export of mercury and mercury compounds
Dental
Phases out specified uses of dental amalgam
Waste
Sets rules for storing and disposing of mercury waste
How it fits with other EU rules
The Mercury Regulation sits alongside product-level chemical limits. Where the RoHS Directive caps mercury in electrical and electronic equipment, the Mercury Regulation works across the broader economy and ties back to the international treaty.
Minamata Convention
The global treaty that sets the commitments.
EU Mercury Regulation
The European law that makes those commitments binding for the EU.
For background on the metal itself, see mercury.
Note: general educational information, not legal advice. Check the official source before relying on it.