In reference to regulation (EU) 2017/852 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 17 May 2017 on mercury, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1102/2008 (entering into application on 1/1/2018), article 4 of this regulation entails strict provisions relating to the import of mercury and mixtures and compounds.
The full text of the regulation is available here. Additional information on this mercury regulation are available at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/mercury/index_en.htm.
In particular, importations of metallic mercury and mixture of mercury above 95 percent weight by weight are subject to the preliminary consent by the importing authorities. Belgian importing companies must fill in a form and address it to the Belgian competent authority (Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain safety and Environment – DG5/DPPC/MRB). Consent will generally be delivered by 8 working days (except during closure period of the authority offices).
Published version of the EU Import form (Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2287) can be found at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32017D2287.
These European Union obligations take part of the larger frame of the international regulation of the Mercury under the Minamata Convention on Mercury which includes provisions covering the whole life cycle of the mercury (sources, trade, waste, products and processes, storage, artisanal and small gold mining, …). Belgium has signed the Convention in October 2013 (and is currently processing the ratification instruments). Therefore, specific conditions apply to the delivery of special official certification by the authorities in case the Mercury is exported from countries that are not (yet) Party to the international Minamata convention.
Form to be filled in by the importers.
Also include Annex II form signed by the exporting country, if appropriate: See Annex II part for export: Use the documents: annex ii form to be used by countries that are not parties to the minamata convention on mercury intending to export mercury, whether in pure form or in mixtures, to a member state for the provision of certification on the source of mercury: Download the form from: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32017D2287
- Email to mercury-imports@environment.belgium.be: Both the electronic form fully completed AND the scanned copy of a signed printed version of the file must be submitted (together with the Annex II if appropriate).
Additional remarks:
- For the import/export of mercury waste, please contact the belgian regional authorities.
- For the Export of mercury (only allowed under strict derogation conditions) please refer to: https://www.health.belgium.be/fr/exigences-du-reglement-pic-envers-les-exportateurs
For other queries relating to the above referred to mercury regulation, send a mail to: mercury@environment.belgium.be.