Fact-sheet mercury

Mercury is regulated in various sets of rules:

• The Mercury Ordinance
  The Mercury Regulation
  REACH Regulation Annex XVII, Entry 18-18a
  The RoHS Ordinance

Under the Danish Mercury Ordinance, it is prohibited to import, sell or export mercury and mercury-containing products. In this ordinance, mercury is defined as the element mercury, both in metallic form and in chemical compounds. Mercury-containing products are understood as products with a mercury content of more than 0.01 percent by weight.

According to the Mercury Regulation, it is forbidden to manufacture, import and export mercury and products added with mercury, in accordance with the product categories, and after the dates, specified in Annexes I-III to the regulation.

According to REACH Regulation Annex XVII, Entry 18, mercury may not be marketed or used as substances or mixtures for wood protection, impregnation of heavy textile industries, treatment of industrial water etc. Annex XVII, Entry 18a contains a prohibition on the marketing of mercury in medical thermometers and other measuring instruments, although there are a number of exceptions to this ban.

The RoHS Ordinance prohibits the sale of electronics containing a number of hazardous substances above a certain amount, including mercury. However, RoHS contains a number of time-limited exceptions to the ban, where and to the extent that it is not possible to replace the hazardous substance.

Mercury is toxic

The use of mercury must be limited because it is a toxic heavy metal. Mercury can cause severe damage to both health and the environment.

Humans easily absorb mercury vapour through their lungs and skin, and may exhibit symptoms such as coughing and breathing difficulties. Mercury may also lead to allergic contact dermatitis. Mercury can also be absorbed from food, particularly fish contaminated with mercury.

Perhaps the most serious damage is that caused to the nervous system of humans during the foetal period and the consequent risk of impaired learning and development in children.

Importers, distributors and exporters are responsible

Anyone who imports, sells or exports mercury or mercury-containing products is responsible for ensuring compliance with the restrictions, as set out in the Statutory Order.

Control

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical inspectors monitor compliance with the restrictions (eller legislation, da det kan menes bredt?) and will ensure that illegal situations are brought into compliance. This may involve withdrawing the product from the Danish market, or making the product legal in some other way. Anyone who breaches the restrictions may additionally face a fine or prison sentence of up to two years.