On August XNUMX, the Council and the European Parliament reached an important agreement to completely phase out mercury in dental amalgam, in line with the EU's goal of zero pollution.

Mercury is a highly toxic chemical that poses a serious risk to human health and the environment, and exposure to high concentrations of mercury can cause damage to the brain, lungs, kidneys, and immune system. Despite the availability of effective alternatives, the EU still uses about 40 tonnes of mercury per year, especially in dental amalgam.

The urgency of action

The EnvMed Network highlights the dangers of dental amalgam, which contains 50% highly toxic mercury and is the largest residual use of mercury in the EU. According to the EnvMed network, about 1,000 tonnes of mercury are currently present in the oral cavity of the European population.

Highlighting the availability and efficacy of alternatives, Florian Schulze, Managing Director of EnvMed Network, said: "Alternatives have proven to be effective, available, and affordable, so hazardous waste should not unnecessarily get into people's mouths. ”

This latest measure reflects ongoing discussions within EU institutions on the elimination of mercury from dental amalgam. A study by the European Commission, originally proposed in 2012, shows that it is possible to phase out mercury starting in 2018.

A follow-up study in 2020 and a proposal by the 2023 Commission to extend the deadline to 2025 have now been confirmed by co-legislators. The agreement sets January 1, 2025, XNUMX as the maximum phase-out date, except in cases where dental amalgam is deemed necessary to meet the needs of a specific patient.

Implementation considerations

In some EU countries, such as the Czech Republic or Slovenia, dental amalgam is the only material that is fully reimbursed by the public health system. Recognizing this, the agreement allows for a 30-month reduction until January 1, 2026, if the reimbursement system does not cover mercury-free alternatives. In addition, the export of dental amalgam will be banned from January 1, 2026, XNUMX, and the production and import into the EU will be banned from XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX.

This landmark agreement marks an important step forward for the EU in reducing mercury pollution and safeguarding the environment and public health interests. The EU has a clear phase-out schedule and special circumstances provisions aimed at transitioning to safer and more sustainable dental practices that promote the well-being of citizens and the planet.