Mercury is sometimes used in cosmetics, particularly skin-lightening creams and soaps, as a preservative or active ingredient. These products pose significant health risks, including skin irritation, neurological damage, and kidney disorders. The Convention mandates the phase-out of mercury-added cosmetics and promotes the adoption of safer, mercury-free alternatives.

Controlling mercury in cosmetics
 

Annex A, Part I included cosmetics with mercury content above 1 ppm as subject to phase-out, and the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-5) to the Minamata Convention agreed to remove this 1ppm limit. Parties are required to take measures not allowing production, import and export of and sale of mercury-added cosmetics. Establishing regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms is essential to achieving the Convention’s objectives.

 

 

Advancing safer cosmetic practices


Parties must enforce regulations prohibiting mercury-added cosmetics while promoting the availability of safe and effective alternatives. Cooperation among cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, consumer protection agencies, and regulatory authorities is key to ensuring compliance and eliminating mercury from cosmetic products. The Convention also encourages international collaboration to strengthen enforcement against illegal production and trade of mercury-containing cosmetics.

 

Meet the expert

 

Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact Eisaku Toda, Senior Programme Management Officer of the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, at eisaku.toda [at] un.org (eisaku[dot]toda[at]un[dot]org).