The Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark has approved Statutory Order No. 73 of 25 January 2016 to repeal Statutory Order No. 627 of 1 July 2003 for banning the import, sale and export of mercury and mercury-containing products. The new order shall enter into force on 31 January 2016. Here are highlights of the new order:

It is prohibited to import, sell or export mercury and products containing more than 100 ppm of mercury, unless such products are listed as follows:

1. Dental products for filling permanent molar teeth
2. Mercury-wetted film switches and relays, which comply with EN 119000, for four specific applications
3. Three specific light sources
4. Flash units for safety installations in railway lines
5. Electrodes for three specific applications
6. Mercury-containing chemicals for six specific applications
7. Products for research, including dentistry
8. Products for education
9. Products for essential applications in aeroplanes
10. Products for repair of existing mercury-containing equipment

In addition, this order does not cover:

• Natural contamination in coal;
• Used products containing mercury, which complied with Danish requirements at first-time sale;
• Products, which are regulated by other legislation such as EU legislation relating to mercury (e.g. batteries, cosmetics, medical equipment, paint, lacquer, packaging, waste products, and electrical and electronic equipment, as well as for disinfection of walls, wood and textiles), except those in the above product list.

Note:

EN 119000  Harmonized system of quality assessment for electronic components. Generic specification: dry and mercury wetted reed contact units

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