The European Commission published a draft revision of the EU Mercury Regulation on July 14, which aims to phase out the use of dental amalgam by 2025. The intention is to effectively end all remaining intentional uses of mercury in the EU. However, the draft was published with a significant delay, leaving the Parliament and Council little time to adopt the revision before the European elections in June 2024.
Since there are viable mercury-free alternatives, dental amalgam shall no longer be used for dental treatments of any member of the population from 1st January 2025. Only cases when deemed strictly necessary by the dental practitioner based on the specific medical needs of the patient should be excepted. The proposal also includes a ban on its manufacture and export, making an important contribution to reducing mercury emissions internationally.
Amalgam consists of 50% mercury, one of the world’s most toxic substances. Despite all precautions taken in dentistry, mercury inevitably enters the environment, where it transforms into the even more toxic form methylmercury and contributes to mercury accumulation in fish we eat.
Before the Commission’s proposal can take effect, it must be approved by the European Parliament and the Council. Given the delay, however, the Parliament will have to move fast to complete all the formalities before the 2024 parliamentary elections.
Here is our Position Paper:
And here is further information from our feedback to the Inception Impact Asessment:
