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Alternatives to mercury-containing measuring devices
Preface
Background
With the aim of reducing the demand for mercury used in products and speeding up the substitution of mercury, the Extended Impact Assessment for the Community strategy concerning mercury indicated that it would be appropriate to introduce a Community level marketing restriction on mercury-containing measuring and control equipment for use by the general public and, with some exemptions, in the healthcare sector.
The Commission of the European Communities has 24 February 2006 presented a proposal for amending Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing of certain measuring devices containing mercury.
According to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the proposed restriction will, as regards fever thermometers and sphygmomanometers, provide a higher level of protection than the existing Danish regulation, whereas the protection level for other devices will be weakened in a lesser extent in Denmark by implementation of the Commission's proposal as indicated in the following table:
| Devices |
Danish regulation according to Statutory Order no. 627 of 1 July 2003 |
The proposal from the Commission |
| Fever thermometers |
Not prohibited |
Prohibition |
| Other thermometers |
Prohibited, except for equipment used for calibration and laboratory use |
Prohibition of sale to the general public |
| Sphygmomanometers |
Not prohibited |
Prohibition of sale to the general public |
| Manometers |
Prohibited, except for equipment used for calibration |
Prohibition of sale to the general public |
| Barometers |
Prohibited, except for equipment used for calibration |
Prohibition of sale to the general public |
This study
The Danish EPA has launched this study on advantages and drawbacks of alternatives to mercury-containing equipment marketed in Denmark as part of the preparations for the amendment of the directive.
The project has been followed by a Steering Group consisting of:
- Rikke Donchil Holmberg, Danish Environmental Protection Agency
- Frank Jensen, Danish Environmental Protection Agency
- Carsten Lassen, COWI A/S
- Jakob Maag, COWI A/S
The report has been prepared by Carsten Lassen and Jakob Maag, COWI A/S.
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Version 1.0 March 2006, © Danish Environmental Protection Agency
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