Programs: Global Chemical Safety Program: Global Mercury Treaty

In February 2009, after many years of discussion, 140 countries agreed to launch negotiations on an international mercury treaty. Since mercury emissions from one country travel around the globe and accumulate in our food and bodies, no one country can solve the problem alone.

The treaty will address many issues including mercury supply, new uses of mercury, international trade of mercury and mercury products, use of mercury in small-scale gold mining, anthropogenic emissions of mercury, management of mercury-containing wastes, global monitoring of mercury, remediation of contaminated sites, public awareness-raising, and financial and technical resources to implement the treaty. Negotiations begin in 2010 for completion in 2013. Click here for the UNEP website.

EHF participated actively in the Governing Council meeting, as well as the Ad-hoc Open Ended Working Group (AHOEWG) meetings in 2009 leading up to the Governing Council decision. EHF plans to participate actively in the upcoming negotiation of a global mercury treaty.


Programs Overview Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Safer Substitutes to Brominated Flame Retardants Equitable and Sustainable Economy American Sustainable Business Council		Global Mercury Treaty In February 2009, after many years of discussion, 140 countries agreed to launch negotiations on an international mercury treaty. Since mercury emissions from one country travel around the globe and accumulate in our food and bodies, no one country can solve the problem alone. The treaty will address many issues including mercury supply, new uses of mercury, international trade of mercury and mercury products, use of mercury in small-scale gold mining, anthropogenic emissions of mercury, management of mercury-containing wastes, global monitoring of mercury, remediation of contaminated sites, public awareness-raising, and financial and technical resources to implement the treaty. Negotiations begin in 2010 for completion in 2013. Click here for the UNEP website. EHF participated actively in the Governing Council meeting, as well as the Ad-hoc Open Ended Working Group (AHOEWG) meetings in 2009 leading up to the Governing Council decision. EHF plans to participate actively in the upcoming negotiation of a global mercury treaty.