Consultation on the proposed Control of Mercury (Enforcement) Regulations 2017

Overview

This consultation seeks views on the government’s proposed approach to implementing the requirements of EU Regulation 2017/852 on Mercury, which will be contained within the Control of Mercury (Enforcement) Regulations 2017.

The European Parliament and Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2017/852 on Mercury on the 17 May 2017. This filled gaps in existing EU mercury legislation with the aim of enabling the EU and its Member States to ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The EU Regulation controls imports and exports of mercury between the EU and non-Member States, restricts the use of dental amalgam, sets requirements for the storage and disposal of mercury, and restricts the creation of new mercury-added products or new manufacturing processes involving mercury from the 1 January 2018. 

Whilst the provisions of the EU Regulation are directly applicable in UK law, domestic regulations are required to designate authorities for the enforcement of the regulation’s provisions as well as offences and penalties. The approach proposed by government are set out in details within the consultation document.

Why your views matter

This consultation invites stakeholders’ views on the proposed approach for implementing EU Regulation 2017/852 on Mercury. In particular, we are interested in whether the approach proposed is appropriate and proportionate. 

What happens next

We will publish the summary of consultation responses within 12 weeks and plan to lay the UK Regulations in Parliament as soon as practicable following this consultation.