Moldova ratifies Minamata Convention on Mercury

Chisinau, 11 May /MOLDPRES/- The decree on promulgation of the Law ratifying the Minamata Convention on Mercury will be published in the Official Journal of Moldova on 12 May.

The Convention was adopted in Kumamoto, Japan, in October 2013, and the Moldovan government is obliged within six months to complete the national program on sustainable management of chemicals with the provisions of this convention.

Under the decree, the Environment Ministry will be responsible for the implementation of the convention. The institution will be required to assess and quantify sources of mercury pollution, to assess legislative and institutional framework for the prevention and control of mercury pollution, as well as to evaluate the mercury management infrastructure.

According to statistics, although Moldova does not produce mercury, a string of mercury-containing products are placed on the domestic market annually, such as: fluorescent tubes, batteries and accumulators, measuring devices which if not properly treated, are at increased risk.

According to authorities, starting from 1 January 2021 the import and export of mercury-added products will be prohibited in Moldova.

(Reporter A. Zara, editor M. Jantovan)