7 November 2013: The Government of the US has signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury and simultaneously deposited the US Instrument of Acceptance, enabling the US to become Party to the Convention. The US is the first nation to complete the acceptance process to the Convention, which was adopted on 10 October 2013, in Kumamoto, Japan. The Convention will enter into force “the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.”

According to the US Department of State, the US “can implement Convention obligations under existing legislative and regulatory authority.”

The Minamata Convention provides for controls and reductions across products, processes and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted. The treaty also addresses mercury mining, export and import, and safe storage of waste mercury. [US State Department Press Release] [Minamata Convention Press Release]