The sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention was recently held in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting adopted 22 decisions, including an amendment to globally phase out dental amalgam by 2034.
The newly revised Annex A of the Convention calls for a global ban on the use of dental amalgam, as well as strengthened cooperation with the World Health Organization and other bodies to eliminate mercury-containing whitening products, curb illegal trade, and protect public health.
China issued an announcement in 2024 banning the use of bulk mercury in dental treatment, as well as the use of dental amalgam for deciduous teeth, patients under 15 years of age, pregnant women and lactating women.
The European Union also adopted revised regulations in 2024 banning the export of dental amalgam starting in 2025, with a ban on its manufacture and import to take effect in 2026.