Six of the seven leading amalgam manufacturers in 2020 have withdrawn from the market—either ceasing production or announcing plans to do so in the near future—while smaller companies have taken over the shrinking market…
1 July 2026 marks the full entry into force of the revised EU Mercury Regulation, completing the phase-out of dental amalgam across all European Union Member States. At the same time, new restrictions on the import and manufacture of dental amalgam have taken effect, representing a major milestone for public health, environmental protection, and the global transition toward mercury-free healthcare…
Experiences from European countries demonstrate successful pathways for the transition to mercury-free oral health care. As effective and affordable alternatives are available, the primary challenge remains, to establish financial arrangements with dentists. It should be borne in mind that dental amalgam is far more expensive than most, if not all, alternative materials when the high environmental costs are taken into account…
From 28 May 2026, manufacturers are required to register medical devices covered by certificates under the Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (MDR) in the European Database on Medical Devices (EUDAMED).
Mandatory EUDAMED registration will provide regulators, market operators, and stakeholders with a much clearer picture of the European dental amalgam market — including which manufacturers are active, which products are certified, and whether regulatory obligations are being met.
Global Overview of Countries Phasing Out Dental Amalgam: According to the Minamata Conventions Full National Reports 2021, the MIAs, or other official documents, the global transition to a mercury-free dentistry is fully underway…
27 March 2026, the Icelandic Parliament (Althingi) amended the national Chemical Regulation (Efnalög) with Article 27 of Act No. 30/2026: The use of dental amalgam is prohibited “unless a dentist considers such use to be necessary on medical grounds”. The act was officially published and took effect on April 18th following the President’s signature.
Uruguay has officially prohibited the use of dental amalgam through Ordenanza N° 285/026, marking a major milestone in reducing mercury exposure. The Minister of Public Health, Cristina Lustemberg, followed through on her commitment—introducing the ban just 2 weeks after the WHO regional workshop on the gradual reduction of dental amalgam held in Montevideo.
Following the Depositary’s communication of 23 March 2026, the amendments adopted at COP6 of the Minamata Convention will enter into force on 23 March 2027. Parties had agreed on a global phase-out of dental amalgam by 2034 and introduced new obligations for Parties that have not yet phased out its use. This decision will apply to all Parties that have not submitted a notification of non-acceptance, marking a decisive step towards ending mercury use in dentistry worldwide…
The Ministry of Health announced key milestones in the country’s phase-out of dental amalgam in line with the Minamata Convention. Mercury is no longer being imported or marketed for dental use, and universities have stopped teaching dental amalgam as a filling material, while dental sector leaders signed an agreement to phase down its use. Argentina is not yet in a full prohibition phase, but it has effectively entered a de facto phase-out…
