EU ministers vote for ban on mercury exports 

EU environment ministers have supported a Commission proposal to phase out all exports of mercury in an effort to eliminate the heavy metal's harmful effects on human health and the environment.

Ministers confirmed the need for a "cradle to grave" approach when dealing with mercury problems within the EU and abroad as proposed by the Commission. The use of mercury in products such as thermometers, dental amalgams and batteries will undergo additional scrutiny. 

Restrictions on the use of mercury will include the handling of surpluses and waste. Spain, the only EU country where mercury is mined, will be hardest hit by the ban.

The European chlor-alkali sector has already committed to either close or convert their mercury plants by 2020 at the latest, saying the timeframe was needed to absorb the investments needed for conversion.