Regulation (EC) No 689/2008 of the European Parliament and the Council of 17 June 2008 concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals implements within the Community the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC) for certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade, with a view to protecting human health and the environment from potential harm and contributing to the environmentally sound use of such chemicals. In the same time Regulation includes a number of provisions that go beyond the Convention.
The Regulation reaffirms the Community’s commitment towards ensuring proper control in the trade and use of dangerous chemicals at the global level, based on the principle that it should help to protect human health and the environment beyond its borders as well as within.

Text of the regulation:

• Regulation (EC) No 689/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals (OJ L 204 of 31.07.2008)
• COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 834/2011 of 19 August 2011 amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 689/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 15/2010 of 7 January 2010 amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 689/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals
  (OJ L 6/1204 of 09.01.2010)
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 196/2010 of 9 March 2010 amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 689/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals
  (OJ L 60/5 of 10.03.2010)
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 186/2011 of 25 February 2011amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 689/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 214/2011 of 3 March 2011 amending Annexes I and V to Regulation (EC) No 689/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals

Technical Guidance

TECHNICAL GUIDANCE NOTES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATION (EC) No 689/2008

INFORMATION

The European Union (EU) bans all exports of metallic mercury and certain mercury compounds and mixtures as from 15 March 2011. This ban shall contribute to reducing the global mercury supply, and, indirectly, to limiting the emissions of this heavy metal, which is extremely toxic to the environment.

Regulation (EC) No 1102/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2008 on the banning of exports of metallic mercury and certain mercury compounds and mixtures and the safe storage of metallic mercury