Mercury Regulation Amendments Extend UK Coverage to England, Wales and Scotland

Mercury Regulation Amendments Extend UK Coverage to England, Wales and Scotland

What exactly is changing?

These amendments to Regulation (EU) 2017/852 on mercury bring the UK Mercury Regulation into force across England, Wales and Scotland. The amendments extend to England and Wales and Scotland only, aligning the UK approach with current regulatory practice following Brexit.

Sectors likely to be affected

Businesses that import, manufacture, distribute or use mercury or mercury-containing devices should assess impact. This includes dental practices, laboratories, electronics manufacturers and waste management operators. Public sector organisations that manage regulated waste streams may also be affected.

Why this matters for health and safety and compliance

Mercury is highly toxic and exposure can cause serious health effects. The amendments establish regulatory controls intended to reduce exposure risks and ensure safe handling, storage and disposal of mercury and mercury-containing products. They may also affect supply chain traceability and end-of-life management.

Practical actions for duty holders

• Identify all mercury-containing materials in your organisation and map their lifecycle from procurement to disposal.
• Review current mercury handling, storage and waste management practices against the updated regime.
• Engage suppliers to confirm compliance status and obtain up-to-date declarations and end-of-life arrangements.
• Update risk assessments and training to reflect new requirements and ensure competent supervision of mercury handling activities.
• Establish robust records and reporting where required; consider appointing a competent person or lead for mercury compliance.
• Plan for substitution where feasible and monitor waste streams for regulatory compliance.
• Consult with regulatory guidance and consider partnering with Health and safety risk assessments and seek guidance on appointing a Competent Person for ongoing oversight.

For organisations seeking broader support, Synergos Consultancy offers tailored guidance on health and safety management systems, including ISO 45001 alignment and practical risk controls. See also Health and safety training options to equip teams for new compliance requirements.

Wrap-up: The Mercury Regulation amendments bring additional controls to the UK framework across England, Wales and Scotland. Timely action to identify mercury handling activities, verify supplier compliance and strengthen risk controls will help protect workers and minimise regulatory risk.