The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has organized a “Workshop to Reduce Use and Release of Mercury in Products.” UNEP Chemicals and Thailand’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources organized the workshop, which convened from 17-19 May 2007, in Bangkok, Thailand, with the support of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The workshop was organized in response to the call of the UNEP Governing Council 24th session, for increased efforts to address the global challenges to reduce risks from releases of mercury by reducing the global mercury demand related to use in products and production processes. The workshop was attended by 24 governments, as well as representatives from six nongovernmental organizations, two industry organizations, and two intergovernmental organizations. Participants identified several areas in which action could be taken to decrease the use of mercury in products, including through: raising awareness of political decision makers and consumers/users of mercury; providing for information exchange, including inventory development and cooperation at the regional and national levels; and supporting capacity building efforts to transfer and apply best management practices and new technologies on substitutes to mercury containing products.
Link to further information
Workshop proceedings