Adopted amendments to annexes A and B


Amendments adopted by COP-4 in 2022

The fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-4) decided to amend part I of annex A to the Convention by adding eight new mercury-added products, so that the manufacture, import and export of those products would not be allowed after 2025. COP-4 further decided to amend part II of annex A to the Convention by adding two additional provisions on dental amalgam.

In accordance with article 26 and 27 of the Convention, the amendment entered into force on 28 September 2023 for all parties, except those who made a declaration with regard to amendment of annexes in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 30 and did not deposit with the Depositary any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with respect to the amendments adopted at COP-4.

 

Amendments adopted by COP-5 in 2023

The fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-5) adopted decision MC-5/4: Amendments to annexes A and B and the feasibility of mercury-free alternatives for manufacturing processes listed in annex B. COP decided to amend Annex A, Part I of the Convention, which lists mercury-added products of which manufacture, import and export are to be phased out. By deciding to phase out the remaining categories for the already listed products, the new amendments will result in complete phase out of:

  • all batteries known to have mercury added (by 2025),
  • all switches and relays containing mercury except those for research and development purposes (by 2025), and
  • all fluorescent lamps for general lighting purposes (by 2027), which will also generate considerable energy saving gains.

In addition, the COP decided to eliminate the 1 ppm threshold for mercury content in cosmetics, including skin lightening soaps and creams, thereby making it explicit that no mercury can be added to cosmetics.

COP-5 also decided to amend Annex A, Part II of the Convention with a new measure to be taken by Parties which have not phased out use of dental amalgam yet, and more specifically to prepare a national action plan or a report with respect to progress they have made or are making to phase down or phase out dental amalgam every four years. COP also decided to consider amending both Part I and Part II of the Annex regarding dental amalgam at COP-6.

Finally, COP-5 decided to amend Annex B, Part I of the Convention, which regulates mercury use in industrial processes, by listing production of polyurethane using mercury containing catalysts for phase out by 2025. Polyurethane foams, coatings and adhesives are used for various purposes such as home furnishing, clothing and sponges.

In addition to this amendment, COP-5 established that mercury-free processes for sodium or potassium methylate or ethylate production have become technically and economically feasible, and therefore, as per the Convention requirements, the use of mercury in this process will not be allowed from 2028. These chemicals are used as catalysts in production of biodiesel, pharmaceuticals and pigments. 

In accordance with article 26 and 27 of the Convention, the COP-5 amendments entered into force on 25 April 2025 for all Parties, except for one Party who notified the Depositary in accordance with subparagraph 3 (b) of article 27 of the Convention and those who made a declaration with regard to amendment of annexes in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 30 and did not deposit with the Depositary any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with respect to the amendments adopted at COP-5.

 

Please find below a list of parties with respective dates of effect for the above-mentioned amendments. The list is indicative only. Any official statement concerning the status of ratification, acceptance, formal confirmation, approval or accession of the Minamata Convention or any amendments thereto is solely within the competence of the Depositary of the Convention in New York (based on the provisions of the Convention). In accordance with Article 34 of the Convention, the Secretary-General of the United Nations is the Depository of this Convention. 

Blank cells in the table indicate that:

  • the Party made a declaration with regard to amendment of annexes in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 30 and did not deposit with the Depositary any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with respect to the amendments adopted at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties: or
  • the Party notified the Depositary in accordance with subparagraph 3 (b) of article 27 of the Convention.
Party Date of effect
COP 4 COP 5
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini (Kingdom of)
Ethiopia
European Union
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Mozambique
Namibia
Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Republic of Moldova
Romania
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
State of Palestine
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Türkiye
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Republic of Tanzania
United States of America
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Viet Nam
Zambia
Zimbabwe