On 3 December 2025, legislation to phase out dental amalgam in Northern Ireland by 2034 entered into force following formal approval by the Westminster Parliament. The law implements the EU Mercury Regulation to phase out dental amalgam with a 10-year derogation granted under specific conditions by the European Commission, as part of the Windsor Framework arrangements that prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Statutory Instrument to phase out dental amalgam was laid before the House of Commons and the House of Lords earlier this summer by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. After extensive debate, it was approved on 30 October—just in time before COP6 of the Minamata Convention began.
During the debate, several Lords and Baronesses endorsed a joint call from the European Network for Environmental Medicine and British NGOs, emphasizing the need to phase out dental amalgam rather sooner than later—a stance that may have influenced the negotiations in Geneva, where the UK subsequently dropped its opposition to a general phase out.
The issue gained wider public attention through the Guardian’s report on Toxin levels in fish leading to calls for UK-wide ban on mercury dental fillings.
The approved Control of Mercury (Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 not only set a deadline of 31 December 2034 for ending the use of dental amalgam in Northern Ireland but also impose immediate restrictions. As of the law’s entry into force, Northern Irish dentists may no longer use dental amalgam for patients residing outside the UK, preventing cross-border dental tourism and protecting the public health and environment within the European Union.
While the use in exceptional cases (when deemed strictly necessary by the dental practitioner based on the specific medical needs of the patient) continues to be allowed, Northern Irish importers of dental amalgam are required to report the traded amounts of dental amalgam to track the effectiveness of phase down measures and avoid stockpiling.
Still, several additional conditions agreed with the European Commission remain to be implemented.
Enforcement and Penalties:
Establish and enforce a system to penalize operators who violate this Notice—specifically when:
- Northern Ireland dental practitioners use dental amalgam for patients residing outside the UK.
- Any operator resells dental amalgam to EU (Union) operators.
Control of Imports:
Ensure that imports of dental amalgam into Northern Ireland are proportionate to the actual use.
From 1 July 2026 onward:
- Imports of dental amalgam into Northern Ireland must follow the new customs rules for products allowed only for specific medical needs.
- Dental amalgam imported from other parts of the UK into Northern Ireland will be treated as “category 1 goods” under the Windsor Framework.
Annual Reporting to the European Commission:
Each year, by 31 December, Northern Ireland authorities must submit a report to the European Commission that includes:
- Import and usage data: Amount of amalgam imported, amount used, and an estimate of existing stock in Northern Ireland.
- Treatment statistics: Number and percentage of treatments using amalgam versus mercury-free alternatives.
- Policy actions: Measures taken to reduce amalgam use, encourage mercury-free alternatives, and updates to the 2019 “Northern Ireland Plan to phase down the use of dental amalgam.”
Further Information:
👉 Control of Mercury (Enforcement) (Amendment) Regulations 2025